10th Religious Pedagogical-Theological Study Day on 13.11.2025

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The study day is part of the lecture series Anti-Semitism and its Christian Rootswhich the IKTh is offering in cooperation with the Society for Christian-Jewish Cooperation Kassel in the winter semester 2025/26 based on the current annual theme.

Program

15.00 - Welcome
15.15 - Keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Matthias Schmidt
16.00 - Response by Prof. Dr. Jan Woppowa
Short break
16.45 - Questions / discussion
Long break with drinks and snacks
18.15-19.45 - Workshops
approx. 20.15 - Farewell and conclusion

Between heritage and mission. Anti-Semitism in the shadow of the cross

Anti-Semitism as a form of discrimination, stereotypical thinking and violence is deeply interwoven into local and global societies and has been continuously effective over the last few centuries. It is currently very present in public reporting and is (once again) taking on an open and tangible form in everyday life.


For Christian theology, ethnic anti-Semitism is an issue not least because it was often prepared and underpinned by religious anti-Judaism. Anti-Judaism is a millennia-old phenomenon whose traces can still be found in contemporary theology.


What Christian roots of anti-Semitism can be identified? What is the complicity of the Christian churches from the past to the present day? Which conscious and unconscious figures can we still find in current theology and in our own thoughts and actions?


The study day approaches the topic of anti-Semitism with biblical theological and religious education expertise and looks at the Christian heritage both critically and constructively. In view of the historical responsibility, the possible contribution of Christianity to shaping a world of justice and peace will be examined.


In addition to the specialist lectures, practical workshops will be held to explore where and how (future) religious education teachers can shape religious learning processes with children and young people in a competent and qualified manner and take practical action against anti-Semitism.

Keynote speeches

Jews against Jewishness: Anti-Judaic texts in the New Testament
Prof. Dr. Matthias Schmidt
(Professor of Biblical Theology / New Testament at the University of Giessen)


Response from a religious education perspective
Prof. Dr. Jan Woppowa
(Professor of Religious Education at the University of Paderborn)

Workshops

W01 Text and use of text: On the history of the anti-Semitic impact of New Testament texts
Prof. Dr. Matthias Schmidt (University of Giessen)


W02 Training the attentive eye: Impulses for an anti-Semitism-critical approach to educational media
Prof. Dr. Jan Woppowa (University of Paderborn)


W03 The digital learning center "Jewish Life" as a learning field for education critical of anti-Semitism. Explorations, reflections, perspectives
Dr. Werner Haußmann (University of Nuremberg)


W04 Between hashtag and hate speech: Antisemitism online
Katharina Barth (Research Associate at the University of Kassel)


W05 Education critical of anti-Semitism up close - field reports and reflections from school excursions to Auschwitz
Students of the University of Kassel