Rosenzweig Visiting Professorship goes to Martin Buber expert Bourel

With Bourel taking over the Franz Rosenzweig Visiting Professorship, the University of Kassel gains one of the world's most important researchers on the philosopher Martin Buber. Bourel is particularly committed to researching the history of German-Jewish ideas. "We therefore expect the appointment to provide new impetus for a scholarly interdisciplinary study of Franz Rosenzweig as a philosopher of religion and companion of Martin Buber," explains Prof. Dr. Martina Sitt, chair of the Rosenzweig Professorship Search Committee.

Prof. Bourel (69) received his doctorate in the history of religion from the Sorbonne in 1980, where he also habilitated in 1995. He was, among other things, director of the "Centre de recherche français de Jérusalem", professor at the "Institut Universitaire d'Etudes Juïves Elie Wiesel" in Paris and is a member of the "Centre Roland Mousnier" in Paris. Numerous guest professorships have taken him to Potsdam, Berlin, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, among other places, for teaching and research.

Bourel recently published a comprehensive biography on Buber ("Martin Buber - Was es heißt, ein Mensch zu sein", published in German in 2017). Bourel also researches Jewish culture in 19th-century Berlin, Enlightenment philosophy, and the role of Judaism during the French Revolution. He is also concerned with the way research deals with Judaism, as well as the question of Jewish-German dialogue after the Shoah.

Bourel is not only a distinguished researcher, but also a convincing lecturer, emphasizes Sitt: "He always cared about teaching in the context of academic teaching, which is evident, among other things, from his many international teaching and research visits. Last but not least, we expect Prof. Bourel to be of interest to non-academic audiences in Kassel because of his well-known Buber biography."

Events

Always on Mondays from 16:00 to 18:00 Prof. Bourel's public lecture "The Factory of Redemption - The Germans in Palestine 1800-1933" takes place in presence and in in German at Nora-Platiel-Straße 6, room 0210. Among other things, the lecture will highlight the role of Franz Rosenzweig in the context of German religious and philosophical history.

As part of the work of the Rosenzweig Professorship Commission, a workshop based on Rosenzweig's "Star of Redemption" will be held on Dec. 11 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., highlighting two lesser-known facets of Rosenzweig's thought. Participants will compare published and unpublished material. This will be followed by a discussion of Rosenzweig's relationship to the Baroque period. The participation fee is 15€, registration is possible at: sekretariat.kuwi[at]uni-kassel[dot]de.

Note: Also on Franz Rosenzweig, Prof. Dr. Joachim Ringleben will present the lecture "One Hundred Years of Franz Rosenzweig 'Star of Redemption'" on Dec. 1, 2021, at 6 p.m. at the Stadtmuseum Kassel. Ringleben is professor emeritus of systematic theology at the Georg-August University of Göttingen and former abbot of Bursfelde Monastery. The event is held jointly with the Society for Christian-Jewish Cooperation Kassel and as part of the program 1700 Years of Jewish Life in Germany.

The Franz Rosenzweig Visiting Professorship

The Franz Rosenzweig Visiting Professorship, unique in Germany, commemorates the work and legacy of the Jewish religious philosopher who came from Kassel. It has been awarded by the University of Kassel each summer semester since 1987. Originally an invitation to scholars who were expelled from Germany by National Socialism, the university now uses it to honor scholars of the humanities, religion, or society who explore the Jewish legacy in European history.

For more information on the Franz Rosenzweig Visiting Professorship: https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/aktuelles/veranstaltungskalender/franz-rosenzweig-gastprofessur

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Martina Sitt
Chair of Medieval and Modern Art History
Email: sitt[at]uni-kassel[dot]de
Tel. +49 561 804-5327

Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Communication, Press and Public Relations
E-Mail: Presse@uni-kassel.de
Tel. +49 561 804-1961