NOTE: All information from the folkhögskola will be sent in Swedish.
WELCOMING THE STRANGER: JEWISH WAYS OF MEETING “THE OTHER”
This course explores Jewish traditions, literature, and values of welcoming the stranger. The course will be based on Paideia’s project “Gishur: Connecting communities” and will use the three holiday resources developed for this project. The resources are a toolkit of activities engaging with the idea of displacement and refugee experience through a Jewish lens. We will organize our discussions around the holidays Sukkot, Passover, and Shavuot, as well as Shabbat. Together we will explore how each of these holidays speak to Jewish ways of meeting the Other and welcoming the stranger.
The course is given in English and Swedish. The teachers are comfortable in both languages, and will have materials in both languages. Participants who only know English are most welcome to join if they don’t mind a sprinkle of Swedish here and there.
Course material
Course material is included in the cost for this course.
About the teachers
Avital Shein is an experienced educator who has taught philosophy and political science at both university and high school levels. She has been involved in several projects with the aim of creating space for dialogue and understanding. Avital is particularly interested in issues related to democracy, citizenship and belonging. She has a doctorate in political science from the University of Maryland, College Park and a master’s in education from Stockholm University.
Rebecca Lillian is a rabbi with roots in the United States. She has a strong interest in interfaith questions and is passionate about Jewish learning. She serves on the Board of A World of Neighbours, an interfaith network of activists for refugees. Rebecca holds a bachelor’s degree in Multicultural Social Ecology (1983) and an master’s degree in History (1989). She has taught Hebrew and Jewish Studies at Lund University. Since January 2023, Rebecca is the rabbi for Progressive Judaism in Stockholm (PJS), the progressive branch (liberal, reform) of Judaism within the Stockholm Jewish congregation.
Photo: Canva.
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