Research on immigrant adaptation has been criticized for ignoring the perspective of migrant communities, for framing migrants within a binary categorization of insiders/outsiders, and for focusing on the traumatic aspect of migration. This paper addresses these criticisms, by using a narrative approach to study the adaptation processes of one community of Jewish migrants from Cochin in India to Israel, from a resilience perspective. The study incorporates participant observations and life-story interviews with this first generation of migrants. The preeminent theme running through the life stories was that of the reconciliation of contrasts. This theme is demonstrated through identified patterns, in the life of the community, of both integration and separation from the wider society. The findings highlight the significant role played by cultural influences in the adaptation process and the potential that exists for active learning and the building of bridges to the inner world of migrants. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Migration narrative Resilience Adaptation Ethnic group

ethnic group Culture immigrant Kerala Israel adaptive management observational method India Cochin Learning migration