Institutet för judiska studier

Background

The Institute for Jewish Studies was founded in connection with the creation of the Scandinavian School of Theology Foundation on 5 September, 2014. During its first seven years, the principal activities of the Institute have been:

• Insofar as research has been concerned: mainly through Anders Gerdmar’s research into anti-Semitism (articles, participation in conferences at Yale and Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Theologie, “An End to Antisemitism!” in Vienna) as well as a major anthology submitted to the Boston publisher, Brill: Salvation is from the Jews: Biblical Interpretation of Jews and Judaism, from Intra-Jewish Conflict to Eliminationist Antisemitism;
• Anders Gerdmar’s lectures on anti-Semitism and the Holocaust; Roar Sörensen’s teaching about Israel at the Scandinavian School of Theology; in addition to:
• holding a seminar concerning the Palestinian priest Mitri Raheb’s replacement theology and the Kairos Document in collaboration with Annika Borg ThD, in Stockholm.

Purpose

The purpose of the Institute is to:

• At the academic level, theologically, historically and politically study issues related to biblical and modern Israel and the Jewish people.
• To function as a knowledge centre for related issues
• To promote friendship and encounters especially between young Jews and Christians, and the Israel of our time
• To actively conduct research and public opinion work against anti-Semitism.
• To constitute a forum for dialogue between Jewish and Christian Bible interpreters with the aim of enriching the Christian tradition, for example through experimental Midrash conversations.

Financing

A minor basic donation has been received by the Scandinavian School of Theology from the Friends of Israel, Malmö in recognition of Skandinavisk teologisk högskola:s efforts on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people. This constitutes the basis for continued fundraising activities. The development of the aforementioned research work should be primarily externally funded, whilst the teaching ought to be self-supporting.