Sweden '24-'25: A Year of Study and Discovery
Below, you can find an overview of what I’m engaged in during the 2024-2025 academic year
(18 October 2024)
Paideia - the European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden
At the end of this past August, I arrived in Sweden to join the Paideia programme. Supported by the Swedish government and EU funds, this is an intensive, nine-month course focused on Jewish culture, history, and education. It commenced on 2 September 2024 and will conclude on 30 May 2025. The programme is packed with a comprehensive set of lectures, workshops, and projects, spread across five days a week, creating a truly in-depth learning experience.
paideia-eu.org/programs/the-one-year-jewish-studies-program
This year, we are a total of 14 participants. The majority are women, and the age range is quite broad, spanning from 21 to 55 years old. Participation is not restricted to those of Jewish background; anyone with an interest can apply. Most participants come from EU member countries, as those from EU or neighbouring countries are eligible for EU scholarships.
Courses
One of our classes each week is a Parashat HaShavua (פרשת השבוע) study, focusing on understanding the weekly Torah readings through rabbinic interpretations. We also have an Introduction to Talmud class, where we delve into core texts of Jewish law and explore their connections to modern-day contexts.
Twice a week, we have Hebrew lessons, though they aren't particularly intensive. I started at the Bet level and am trying to further develop my language skills with online tools.
One of the unique aspects of this programme is the opportunity to work with a different guest scholar each month. These academics focus on various periods of Jewish history, covering topics like the Hebrew Bible and its Commentaries, Talmudic Literature and Midrashic Hermeneutics, Kabbalah and Hasidism, as well as Modern and Contemporary Jewish Thought.
Second Year Master's Programme Options
The Paideia programme collaborates with two academic institutions, offering participants a chance to pursue a Master's degree in Religious or Jewish Studies: the Heidelberg Centre for Jewish Studies in Germany and Lund University in Sweden. Despite its proximity to Stockholm, there isn't yet a formal partnership with Uppsala University, though positive developments are expected in a few years.
The Master's programme at the Heidelberg Centre for Jewish Studies, titled "Jewish Civilisations," is the oldest partner option for Paideia participants. To join this programme, students need to be present in Heidelberg throughout the second year. Supported by EU funding, this second year programme aims to provide a deep, comprehensive academic foundation in Jewish Civilisations, with scholarships available to participants.
The Master's in "Religious Studies and Theology" at Lund University offers a different structure. There's no need to stay in Lund year-round; instead, you attend intensive in-person courses for a week in September or October, while the remainder is conducted online. The programme also includes the option to complete a thesis remotely. For students from EU member countries, education is free, but those from outside the EU face fees exceeding 10,000 euros.
My personal plan is to continue my studies through Lund University’s hybrid programme, completing this year's education with the Master’s degree there next year.
