Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies

As early as 1971, the then State Rabbi of Baden, Nathan Peter Levinson, had the idea of founding a training institution for rabbis, cantors and religion teachers. It was to be modeled on the "Lehranstalt für die Wissenschaft des Judentums" in Berlin - which was forcibly closed by the Nazis in 1939 - and thus revive Jewish scholarship in Germany. 

The Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies (HfJS) opened its doors in 1979 and had 16 enrolled students at the beginning.
It is supported by the Central Council of Jews in Germany and funded by the federal and state governments. 

The state-recognized university describes itself on its website as follows: 
. "The HfJS is a state-recognized university. Nowhere else in Europe can Jewish Studies be studied in comparable breadth. This allows the HfJS to convey the complexity and fascination of Judaism to its Jewish and non-Jewish students and to set academic accents." 

Over the years, the premises became too small. For this reason, a new building was planned that would unite the four areas of the university, which had previously been distributed among different buildings, in one place. The ceremonial opening of the new building took place in the presence of numerous guests - including former Chancellor Helmut Kohl - on September 30, 2009. 

Education

Jewish Studies at the HfJS today relies on an interdisciplinary focus. In addition to teaching subjects such as Jewish Biblical Interpretation, Talmud or History of the Jewish People, sub-disciplines such as art, politics, literature, linguistics, religious studies and Middle Eastern studies are included in the university's wide range of courses. Furthermore, the university offers its students the opportunity to learn Hebrew and languages related to Hebrew. 

The College of Jewish Studies has 11 professorships.
Its facilities include a kosher dining hall, a prayer room, and an extensive library.