COEXISTENCE, POLARIZATION AND DIFFERENCE (ONLINE)

Online

Society

Text Studies

Sundays 18:00-20:00 CET

14 sessions

Application

Applications are open until June 22.

APPLY HERE

COEXISTENCE, POLARIZATION AND DIFFERENCE – CONTEMPORARY JEWISH PERSPECTIVES (ONLINE)

In this course we will explore the meanings of coexistence, difference, and polarization through a contemporary Jewish lens, with emphasis upon the thought of Jonathan Sacks (1948-2020) and Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972). In a post-October 7th era that may often appear intolerant and frustrating, how are we to make sense of these realities?

As a response to this question, this course views critical (and philosophical) reflection to be a form of conflict prevention and/or de-escalation, with relevance not only for politics, but also for our interpersonal relationships with friends, family, and co-workers. While mediation and conflict resolution techniques may help resolve disagreements that have an identifiable cause, what happens in contexts of political polarization where hateful rhetoric and uncivil dialogue may frustrate dialogue from the start? A need thus crystalizes, as this course suggests, for an alternative approach, and ideally one conceived prior to the encounter with the other.

To complement our task we will review several paradigmatic instances from the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud. 

The course is given in collaboration with Paideia – The European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden. 

 

Course structure

This course will be interactive, collaborative, and discussion-based. To study text in guided chevruta (learning pairs) for various exercises and processing is part of the course structure. 

Prior knowledge

The course is given in English.

Both new and previous participants are welcome to apply. No prior knowledge about the subject is needed. 

To apply for this course, you need basic computer skills and knowledge of how to use the digital platform Zoom. The school offers Zoom manuals and a training opportunity before the start of the course.

Course material

Course material is included in the cost for this course.

About the teacher

Jordan Spencer Jacobs is a Phd candidate in Religious Studies at the Universidad Complutese de Madrid and is a researcher at the Center for Theology and Religious Studies at Lund University. His dissertation examines the idea of knowing and not-knowing in the thought of Abraham Joshua Heschel and its relevance for interpersonal contexts today. A trained mediator, he holds an MA in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence from Brandeis University, and has worked professionally in the fields of peacebuilding and restorative justice in public schools.

Photo: Pixabay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Application

Applications are open until June 22.

APPLY HERE

Course information

Times

Sundays 18:00-20:00 CET

Course start

Sunday 14 September

14 sessions

Teacher

Jordan Spencer Jacobs

Application deadline

Sunday 22 June

Admission

The admission letter is sent via email approximately 2 weeks before the start of the course. Check your spam folder if you are missing information.

Costs

200 SEK to be paid via invoice or PayPal. Information about payments will be sent in the admission letter.

Miscellaneous

The course is given if a sufficient amount of participants apply. The profile courses are closed during some Jewish holidays and on bank holidays.

Contact

Paideia Folkhögskola

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