Conference: Jewish Studies in the European Public Sphere: Research, Education, and Societal Impact, deadline for submissions: 1st May 2026
Joint JEWLIF Conference hosted by JEWLIF: 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.
This Call for Papers announces the first of three conferences to be held across Europe between 2026 and 2028 within the framework of the JEWLIF project “Conferences of Applied Jewish Studies (CAJES).”
CAJES contributes to the goal of a Europe free from antisemitism, in which Jewish life can flourish safely and visibly. The initiative is in line with the EU Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life (2021–2030), developed under the leadership of the European Commission Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life, Katharina von Schnurbein.
University of Cologne
Monday to Wednesday, November 16-18, 2026
Deadline for abstracts: May 1, 2026
Contact: Rebecca Rose Mitzner at cajes@jewlif.org
Conference Focus
How can we expand a public understanding of Jewish life in Europe that recognizes Jewish life-worlds 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.
In support of the conference, the European Commission Coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, Katharina von Schnurbein said: “As part of the EU strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life, the European Commission is currently creating a European Research Hub on Contemporary Antisemitism and Jewish Life and Culture. The hub aims to connect researchers focusing on all aspects of antisemitism and Jewish life and thereby foster multidisciplinary and applied research across Europe. Initiatives like the Conference of Applied Jewish Studies (CAJES) will be key to building the EU-wide network.” (Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life)
Submissions
Conference contributions are invited that address the possibilities, strategies, and challenges involved in the communication of scholarly insights on Jewish history and contemporary Jewish life in various educational contexts—including schools, universities, adult education, and civic education (community and non-profit organizations). Submissions from a range of disciplines within the humanities and social sciences are welcome. We especially encourage contributions from across Europe in order to foster cross-national exchange and networking.
Please send your proposed topic together with a brief abstract (approximately 400 words) and a short bio no later than May 1, 2026, to: Rebecca Rose Mitzner at cajes@jewlif.org
JEWLIF will cover accommodation costs and provide a partial travel subsidy in accordance with the German Federal Travel Expenses Act (Bundesreisekostengesetz).