This page is not available in English as this course is given in Swedish.
For information about the course, we refer to the Swedish course page.
This page is not available in English as this course is given in Swedish.
For information about the course, we refer to the Swedish course page.
Photo: Canva/Paideia Folkhögskola
Learn how to independently read biblical texts in their original language! This course introduces Biblical Hebrew using the textbook Hinneh: Biblical Hebrew – the Practical Way, by Rahel Halabe. It is designed for participants who already know the Hebrew alphabet and have basic familiarity with Hebrew vowel signs (Nikkud). The course takes a communicative, practical approach. Emphasizing reading aloud, recognition of grammatical forms in context, and gradual exposure to biblical texts from the very first lessons.
Participants develop the tools to independently access most biblical texts early on, through a combination of frequent vocabulary, color-coded root groups, and well-sequenced grammar. The course is ideal for anyone interested in the Hebrew Bible, Jewish studies, theology, or the history of the Hebrew language.
The course is given in collaboration with Paideia – the European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden.
Course Structure
The course takes a communicative approach using the textbook Hinneh: Biblical Hebrew the Practical Way. Emphasis is on reading aloud, translation exercises, and recognition of grammatical forms in context using a color-coded root system. The teaching consists of a Combination of teacher explanation and active participation, including individual and group reading exercises.
Participants are expected to allocate 1–2 hours preparation time before each class to do exercises in the textbook with the answer key.
Prior Knowledge
The course is given in English.
Participants are required to have prior knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet and basic familiarity with Hebrew vowel signs (Nikkud). Application is open to anyone interested in the Hebrew Bible, Jewish studies, theology, or the Hebrew language.
To apply for this course, you need basic computer skills and knowledge of how to use the digital platform Zoom.
Course Material
All course literature is not included in the course cost. You need to acquire the following book on your own:
Course Book:
- Hinneh: Biblical Hebrew the Practical Way, Volumes I + II + Tool Box.
Participants need access to the book for the first class. The digital version is recommended and sufficient. You will receive more information about the course book that you purchase on your own, if you get accepted to the course.
About the Teacher
Michael Kisliuk is a native Hebrew speaker and has been researching Hebrew for over 10 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies and a master’s degree in Hebrew Language from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In Israel, he taught Hebrew as a second language at leading academic institutions. He relocated to Sweden with his family and now teaches Hebrew and Arabic at Paideia folkhögskola, both online and on-site.
Photo: Canva/Paideia Folkhögskola
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THE EARLY SUTZKEVER: AVROM SUTZKEVER’S POETRY BEFORE WWII (ONLINE)
In this course, we will be reading and discussing Avrom Sutzkever’s early poetry — from his beginnings as a young poet up to the war years. The material will consist of shorter poems—not his longer works.
This course enables participants to discover one of the greatest Yiddish poets at their own pace and in the poet’s original language. The course will also provide an opportunity to improve active speaking skills.
The course is given in collaboration with Paideia – the European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden and Jiddischsällskapet i Stockholm.
Paideia Folkhögskola also offers the online courses Yiddish 4, Yiddish 8, Yiddish Alef-Basics and Yiddish Conversation as well as the on-site course Upplev och skapa jiddischteater in Stockholm during the fall semester of 2026. Please see more information on each course’s webpage.
Course Structure
Participants should read the material for each lesson in advance, mostly one poem per lesson. Sometimes there will be an optional writing assignment.
During class, the teacher will focus on the language, the poetic content, the imagery, as well as the cultural, idiomatic, and historical references and allusions. All discussions will be conducted entirely in Yiddish.
Prior Knowledge
The course will be taught entirely in Yiddish. Participants are expected to have an advanced level of Yiddish, but not necessarily prior experience reading poetry or Sutzkever. Describe your prior knowledge in your application.
Those who participated in the course during the spring semester are welcome to join again, as the corpus will be different.
To apply for this course, you need basic computer skills and knowledge of how to use the digital platform Zoom.
Course Material
Course material is included in the cost for this course.
About the Teacher
Dr. Miriam Trinh was born in Poland, grew up in Germany, and has lived in Israel since 1995. She holds a PhD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and her main field of research and teaching is the Yiddish language and modern Yiddish literature, especially poetry with a focus on the Holocaust period. She currently teaches at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem but has also taught over the years in various countries and institutions, including in recent years at Paideia’s Intensive Yiddish Summer School.
מרים טרין איז געבוירן אין פּוילן, אויפֿגעוואַקסן אין דײַטשלאַנד און לעבט אין ישׂראל. זי לערנט די ייִדישע שפּראַך און ליטעראַטור שוין איבער 25 יאָר אין פֿאַרשיידענע לענדער און ראַמען, און באַזונדערש אויף די אינטערנאַציאָנאַלע ייִדיש־זומערקורסן צווישן אַנדערע אין ייִוואָ (ניו־יאָרק) און תּל־אָבֿיבֿער אוניווערסיטעט. אין די לעצטע 3 יאָר האָט זי אויכעט געלערנט אויף די אינטענסיווע זומערקורסן אין פּאַידעיע, שטאָקהאָלם. איר דאָקטאָראַט האָט זי געשריבן וועגן פּאָעטישע טעקסטן פֿון די געטאָס און לאַגערן און בכלל ספּעציאַליזירט זי זיך אין מאָדערנער ייִדישער ליטעראַטור און חורבן־פּאָעזיע.
Photo: Avrom Sutzkever, by Haïm Urison (1905 – 1943).
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This course continues the study of Modern Arabic for participants who already have completed a beginners’ level or have equivalent knowledge of the Arabic alphabet, pronunciation, and simple sentence structures. Using Al-Kitaab Part One textbook, participants will develop their skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking while expanding their understanding of Arabic language and culture through authentic texts, dialogues, and multimedia resources.
Al-Kitaab Part One offers an integrated approach to language learning that combines formal and colloquial Arabic (Egyptian and Levantine) using color-coded vocabulary and dialogues. Through authentic texts, video stories, and cultural contexts, participants develop comprehension and communication skills in real-life situations.
The course will cover key grammatical structures, verb forms, and sentence patterns, while introducing more advanced vocabulary related to everyday life, education, media, and work. Participants will read and discuss short authentic texts, watch dialogues, and complete online interactive exercises through the companion website that accompanies the textbook.
The aim of the course is to help participants move from beginner to intermediate proficiency, enabling them to:
- Understand and use more complex grammatical and lexical structures.
- Communicate in spoken and written Arabic with growing fluency and confidence.
- Recognize and appreciate variation between formal and colloquial Arabic.
- Read simple authentic texts and express opinions about familiar topics.
The course is given in collaboration with Paideia – the European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden.
Course Structure
The course consists of interactive lessons combining explanation, pair and group work, conversation practice, listening comprehension, and reading of texts from the course book. Each session focuses on practical communication and reinforcement of grammar and vocabulary through active use.
Participants need to allocate approximately 2–3 hours per week for home studies using the course book and the LINGCO platform to prepare for the next class, including reading, writing, and listening assignments.
Prior Knowledge
The course is given in English.
Participants who have completed a beginners’ Arabic course at Paideia Folkhögskola or have equivalent knowledge of basic grammar, vocabulary, and reading skills.
Previous participants are welcome to continue their progression.
To apply, you need basic computer skills and knowledge of how to use the digital platform Zoom.
Course Material
All course material is not included in the cost for this course. Participants need to purchase the course book on their own and have access to the book for the first class. The book is available in printed and digital versions. More information about the course book will be sent in the admission letter if you are accepted to the course.
Course book:
- Al-Kitaab Part One, Third Edition with Website (Kristen Brustad, Mahmoud Al-Batal, Abbas Al-Tonsi).
About the Teacher
Michael has been studying and researching Arabic for over 20 years, with a particular interest in the similarities and differences between Hebrew and Arabic. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies and a master’s degree in Hebrew Language from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, giving him a strong foundation in Semitic languages. In Israel, Michael taught Hebrew as a second language at leading academic institutions. He relocated to Sweden with his family two years ago, where he now teaches Hebrew and Arabic, both online and on-site. He also delivers lectures on the history, culture, and evolution of the Arabic language, and the religion of Islam.
Photo: Canva.
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This course explores how art, language, and symbols have been used to create myths, shape fears, and mark groups as “other,” examining how visual culture has served to demonize, exclude, and control.
We will examine how Jews, witches, sodomy, and the devil have been represented in Western art, focusing on the use of images in religious, political, and cultural propaganda. Through works by artists such as Goya, Salvator Rosa, and others, participants will explore how images have helped shape persecution, moral panic, and cultural memory.
Topics include:
- Antisemitism in visual culture
- The image of the witch and the female body
- The devil in art and theology
- The portrayal of sodomy in history and art
Participants will leave the course with a deeper awareness of how words and images construct power—and how art can both reflect and challenge systems of oppression.
The course is given in collaboration with Paideia – The European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden.
Course Structure
Lecture and image analysis, with space for discussion and reflection make up the course structure. Participants will be encouraged to engage critically with historical artworks and contemporary connections.
Prior Knowledge
The course is given in English.
No prior knowledge about the subject is needed. Application is open to anyone interested in culture, politics, identity, and how images shape reality.
To apply for this course, you need basic computer skills and knowledge of how to use the digital platform Zoom.
Course Material
Course material is included in the cost for this course.
About the Teacher
Roei Derhi is a fashion designer and lecturer specializing in the intersection of fashion, art, and cultural history. He has worked with institutions across Europe and the Middle East, and his teaching focuses on how visual culture creates meaning, identity, and power structures. His recent research focuses on antisemitism and the politics of representation in visual media.
Photo: Witches going to their Sabbath (1878), by Luis Ricardo Falero.
Simone Weil (1909–1943) was a fascinating figure who lived a chaotic and eventful — although tragically short — life. She was a prolific philosopher and essayist who published many texts on a wide range of topics and philosophical ideas.
Weil was a particularly complex person: she was born into a Jewish family with both Orthodox and agnostic backgrounds. Her thinking was deeply influenced by both Judaism and Catholic mysticism, and she was also accused by other prominent Jewish and non-Jewish thinkers of antisemitism. She was a self-proclaimed socialist and anarchist, as well as a pacifist who suffered from ill health throughout her life. Nevertheless, Weil volunteered in the Spanish Civil War, attempted to undertake suicide missions, and joined a unit that carried out sabotage and deep strikes against fascist forces.
Weil was not highly regarded as a thinker during her lifetime but quickly gained recognition and a devoted following in the years after her death.
In this course, we will explore Weil’s life and multifaceted thought, touching on areas such as feminism, politics and society, science, and education. She offers us a unique opportunity to engage with anarchism as both a school of thought and a political movement.
The course is given in collaboration with Paideia – the European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden.
Course Structure
The course is mainly lecture based.
Prior Knowledge
The course is given in English.
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.
Course Material
Course material is included in the cost for this course.
About the Teacher
Lior Becker, PhD, is a modern historian, teacher, and interdisciplinary scholar. His areas of expertise are Holocaust history, historiography and memory, 19th and 20th-century intellectual history, genocide studies, and Eastern-European Jewish history and culture. He has long experience teaching teens and adults in both Sweden and Israel.
Photo: Wikipedia: All photographs of Simone Weil have been generously provided by Sylvie Weil.
More Information About Profile Courses
This page is not available in English as this course is given in Swedish.
For information about the course, we refer to the Swedish course page.
Foto: Canva/Paideia folkhögskola.
This page is not available in English as this course is given in Swedish.
For information about the course, we refer to the Swedish course page.
Photo: Canva/Paideia Folkhögskola
AN EXPLORATION OF JEWISH LAW AS WAY OF LIFE (ONLINE)
This course offers an introduction to halakhah as a dynamic and evolving system at the heart of Jewish life. Rather than presenting halakhah simply as a fixed set of rules, the course explores it as an ongoing interpretive conversation that spans centuries, texts, and communities. Participants will engage directly with primary sources from the Torah, Talmud, as well as medieval and contemporary codes and responsa to understand how legal ideas emerge, develop, and represent core values.
Through close reading and guided discussion, participants will gain insight into the methods and principles that shape halakhic reasoning. Emphasis will be placed on the role of disagreement, interpretation, and authority, highlighting how multiple perspectives coexist within the tradition. Select case studies such as Shabbat, kashrut, and prayer, will serve as entry points into lived halakhah, tracing the movement from biblical text to rabbinic elaboration and later codification, including works like the Shulchan Aruch.
The course also introduces key philosophical voices such as Moses Maimonides, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Prof. Mara Benjamin, and others who reflect on the meaning and purpose of halakhic life. Their perspectives invite participants to consider halakhah not only as law, but as a framework for shaping identity, values, and religious experience. By the end of the course, participants will have developed both the skills and conceptual tools to approach halakhic texts thoughtfully and to understand their continued relevance today.
The course is given in collaboration with the Jewish Community of Helsinki and Paideia – the European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden.
Course Structure
The learning methods used in this course are lecture, chavruta (learning in pairs) and discussions.
Reading some articles and some primary sources may be included as a home assignment between sessions.
Prior Knowledge
The course is given in English.
No prior background in Hebrew or Jewish legal study is required. The course is designed for a pluralistic and intellectually engaged audience and encourages participants to reflect on their own relationship to halakhah in contemporary contexts.
To apply for this course, you need basic computer skills and knowledge of how to use the digital platform Zoom.
Course Material
Course material is included in the cost for this course.
About the Teacher
Sofia Freudenstein graduated from Yeshivat Maharat, the first school to ordain women through an Orthodox semikhah rabbinic curriculum, and is completing her master’s degree in Jewish Philosophy at Yeshiva University’s Bernard Revel Graduate School. She is the Director of Jewish Life and Learning for the Jewish Community of Helsinki, Finland.
Sofia enjoys connecting with people, birdwatching, and learning to play the kantele (the Finnish harp).