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: From the book “Änderungen der Familienamen der Prager Juden in Jahre 1788”.

What exactly is the Feldenkrais Method? Is it perhaps Jewish Yoga, or 20th-century Yiddish Judo?

Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais (1904-1984), hailing from East European Jewry, was not only a physicist, but also a Judo master. Struggling with a debilitating knee injury, he embarked on a remarkable journey of self-rehabilitation, teaching himself how to walk again. Later on, by drawing from his experience in Judo, observing infant motor and sensory development, and studying several disciplines, he went on to develop a method aimed at improving functions (such as standing, walking, breathing, and perceiving) by enhancing self-awareness.

In our sessions, you will delve into 11 Awareness Through Movement lessons crafted by Dr. Feldenkrais himself. Through these sessions, you’ll unravel unconscious holding patterns that impede your vitality, discovering newfound, natural modes of movement. This journey isn’t just about physicality; it’s about forging a deeper connection with your body and, in turn, with your entire being. 

While the experiential aspect forms the cornerstone of our course, we’ll also explore insights from written and recorded sources about the Feldenkrais Method. 

Come and learn by way of sensing, noticing, and studying – the Feldenkrais way!

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

Prior knowledge

The course is given in English.

Both new and previous participants are welcome to apply. 

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

Elisabetta Abate is a Feldenkrais® practitioner. As a young woman, she explored uncountable paths towards a better body-mind integration, until she found out that the Feldenkrais Method enables her to feel at home in herself and the situations she’s in. Thus, she joined the III Amsterdam International Feldenkrais Teachers Training (2008-2012), led by Lawrence W. Goldfarb, Ph.D., a direct pupil of Dr. Feldenkrais. Since 2009 she has been teaching the Method to groups and individuals and is currently volunteering in the working group “Feldenkrais and Scientific Research” of the International Feldenkrais Federation. After earning a Ph.D. in Oriental Studies with a specialization in Hebrew and Jewish Studies (Venice 2009), she most happily attended the Paideia One-Year Program in Jewish studies 2009-2010.

Photo: International Feldenkrais Federation.

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 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 may join if they wish to continue their progression.

To apply, 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

All course material is not included in the cost for this course. Participants need to purchase the course book on their own. Participants need to have access to the book for the first class.

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. 

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: Paideia/Canva. 

A PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE, FROM THE DIGITAL CAMERA TO THE PHONE: HOW TO DOCUMENT YOUR LIFE AND PASS IT ON (HYBRID)

The course will offer an overview of the evolution of photography as a medium, teach the fundamental principles (light, composition, storytelling, retouching, archiving, and more), and address the important topic of memory and the transmission of memory.

There will be plenty of hands-on practice, with multiple opportunities to use various types of professional photography equipment, lighting, and printing techniques. Participants will also have the chance to apply their knowledge during photo walks in the city.

Course structure

The course consists of lectures, hands-on instructions, discussions, photo analysis and out-of-the-class walks in the city.

The first class is online via Zoom, one week prior to course start. The rest of the classes take place physically in Stockholm. All dates and times will be announced in the admission letter, if you get admitted to the course.

Prior knowledge

The course is given in English.

No prior knowledge about the subject is needed. Participants interested in photography, who own a camera or even just a phone are welcome to apply. 

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

Participants are asked to bring their own camera or mobile phone. All other course materials are included in the course cost.

About the teacher

Ouriel Morgensztern is a free-lancing photographer based in Vienna, Austria since 2003. He has studied film production and photography in Paris and New York. Ouriel specializes in reportage photography (including in Jewish communities), portrait, and architecture. He has had numerous exhibitions across the world (USA, France, Columbia, Austria and so on). Ouriel speaks 5 languages, and breathes one: Photography.

Photo: Ouriel Morgensztern. 

Ze Kollel offers an intensive immersion in classical Jewish learning through the study of the weekly Torah portion (Parasha) and Talmud. All participants will be offered opportunities to teach and  develop their skills as potential Jewish educators and leaders.

Ze Kollel aims to be a place of personal and spiritual growth with the text as our guide and our fellow students as companions. Our name is both a nod to traditional Kollel environments which are often exclusive to men, while also being a transliterated form of the Hebrew words that mean, “It includes”.

This spring we’ll be studying Tractate Ta’anit, a journey through fasts, festivals and communal responsibility, ancient liturgy and prophetic longing. From the choreography of rain prayers to the unexpected joy of Tu B’Av, Ta’anit opens a world where humans hope out loud — and heaven listens.

Through rigorous study, chevruta (traditional paired learning), and sharp discussion, we’ll ask ourselves what it means to respond to crisis as a community.

Ze Kollel is in partnership with Hillel Deutschland and Oy Vey Amsterdam.
The course is given in collaboration with Paideia – the European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden.

Course structure

Ze Kollel includes: an opportunity to lead a parasha session, a required writing of an original commentary on the Talmud as well as an end-of-semester in person Shabbaton. The Shabbaton will take place May 29-31.

10 of the sessions are held digitally on the platform Zoom and the 3 closing days will be during a weekend in person in Stockholm.

The teachers will contact applicants as part of the admissions process. 

Prior knowledge

The course is given in English. 

Hebrew knowledge is helpful but no prior knowledge or Hebrew language skills are required. Texts are studied in each participant’s preferred language during chavruta (one-on-one study time), and in English during the group sessions.

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, accommodation and participation in a Shabbaton in Stockholm is included in the cost for this course. Travel expenses and insurance are not included. The Shabbaton will take place May 29-31.

About the teachers

Lievnath Faber is a Jewish educator and activist, birth- and death doula and ritualist. She holds an MA in the arts from the University of Amsterdam and is a senior Humanity in Action fellow as well as a senior Landecker Democracy fellow who writes and works on the intersection of antiracism and antisemitism in Europe and specialized in the Netherlands. She weaves Jewish activism, life cycle awareness and ritual together to create joyful and empowered Jewish life in Europe. She is a trained mikveh guide and grief ceremony facilitator, (co) founder and program director of Oy Vey, the open, inclusive and unapologetically Jewish community in Amsterdam and part of the faculty staff of Ze Kollel, the immersive pan-European Jewish learning programme. She is a rabbinical student with ALEPH – the Alliance for Jewish Renewal and works towards creating joyful and empowered Jewish life in Europe.

Sophie Bigot-Goldblum holds a MA degree, magna cum Laude from Hebrew University in Jewish Studies and a MA from the EHESS in Political Theory. She was blessed to be able to learn in various yeshivot in Israel and the United States for four years: at Pardes, the Conservative Yeshiva, Hadar and Drisha. Additionally, she co-facilitates Paideia’s Paradigm program, bringing together European, American, and Israeli Jewish professionals and thought leaders for a week of intense discussions and learning on Jewish identity. Sophie teaches at the Conservative Yeshiva summer program and has been published in Jewish Journals in the US and Europe: JOFA journal, Mozaika, Tenou’a, La Voix Sépharade. She is the co-founder of Bealma, the first egalitarian sefaradi minyan in France. She loves football and a good Yerushalmi kugel.

Photo: Paideia.