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Jewish Studies in Europe’s Public Sphere: Research, Education, and Societal Impact
Thematic focus
- Other Approaches
- Museums, Memorials and Exhibitions
- Primary Schools
- Secondary Schools
- Teacher Training
- Media and Public Discourse
- Other Forms of History Education
- History of Anti-Semitism
- Holocaust
- Remembrance / Collective Memory
Language
English, German
Country
Germany
Address
University of Cologne, Germany
Date
16 - 18 November 2026
Contact
cajes@jewlif.org
Description
How can we expand a public understanding of Jewish life in Europe that recognizes Jewish lifeworlds as an integral part of European identities, without narrowing our focus to the consequences of the recent rise in antisemitism or to debates about Israel? How can we promote appreciation for the diverse and vibrant expressions of Jewish life throughout Europe? And what contribution can Jewish Studies—the academic field devoted to the study of Jewish history, thought, literature, and culture—make toward overcoming distorted perceptions and prejudices against Jews and Jewish life in Europe? The conference will address these questions with the aim of developing practical approaches to conveying the insights of Jewish Studies to the broader public, particularly in the field of education. This practice-oriented focus is intended as an invitation to scholars in Jewish Studies and related fields to reflect on the societal and political implications of their research. In doing so, it underscores the ongoing relevance of Jewish Studies for the pressing issues of our time while critically revisiting the aspirations of the 19th-century “Science of Judaism,” whose proponents sought to combine scholarship with social and political responsibility. Cooperation partners: Jewish Life in Europe, the Martin Buber Institute for Jewish Studies, and the Department of History Education at the Historical Institute of the University of Cologne. ■ Venue: University of Cologne ■ Dates: Monday to Wednesday, November 16–18, 2026 ■ Deadline: May 15, 2026 ■ Submit to: Rebecca Rose Mitzner | cajes@jewlif.org How to Submit: Please send your proposed topic together with a brief abstract (approximately 400 words) and a short bio no later than May 15, 2026, to: cajes@jewlif.org JEWLIF will cover accommodation costs and provide a partial travel subsidy in accordance with the German Federal Travel Expenses Act (Bundesreisekostengesetz).
Organiser
JEWLIF