19/11/2018
Schechter Institute and the Protestant Theological University (PThU) Receive EURO 50,000 through a Prestigious EU Erasmus + Grant for Academic Collaboration
After many years of successful research cooperation between the two institutions, the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies (SIJS) and the Protestant Theological University (PThU) have extended their collaboration to formal student and staff exchanges, thanks to a generous grant of EURO 50,000 through the Erasmus+ program of the European Union.
The funds will be used to strengthen the ties between the PThU and Schechter and will enable students and faculty to study and teach at each other’s institution. In the framework of the agreement, during the next two years, students and faculty from PThU will come to study and teach at Schechter in Jerusalem and students and faculty from Schechter will study and teach at PThU in Amsterdam.
On Thursday evening, November 8 2018, the collaboration was officially confirmed with a festive signing ceremony in the presence of His Excellency the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Israel Mr. Gilles Beschoor-Plug, President of the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies Professor Doron Bar, SIJS Dean Dr. Tamar Kadari, Dr. Lieve Teugels, assistant professor of Semitics and Jewish Studies at PThU, PThU International Officer Albert Nijboer of the PThU and other distinguished guests.
Israeli students coming to Amsterdam will be able to take courses including New Testament, History, Pastoral Care etc. and will also have the opportunity to connect with Jewish communities, institutes and museums of the Netherlands, many of which are located in Amsterdam. Visiting scholars and professors will be able to research early Dutch Jewish communities which emerged after the expulsion of Jews from Spain and Portugal; the development of Jewish life in Holland; and the life and philosophy of Dutch Jewish 17th century philosopher Baruch Spinoza.
Dutch students at Schechter will be able to learn about the history of Israel and Jerusalem with on-site visits and be taught by Israeli experts in the field of Jewish Studies and Bible. Dutch PhD students can spend some time in Israel conducting their research and consulting with Israeli scholars. “We are delighted that the European Union has acknowledged the importance of academic exchange between Europe and Israel, the importance of Jewish Studies to a range of academic disciplines, and the growing interest in Israel past and present,” commented Professor Doron Bar, President of the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies. Bar continued, “We hope this partnership will open the door to further cooperation with other academic institutions in Europe, mutual exchange of knowledge, and exposure to other cultures.”
Pictures from the event:
