The Selma Stern Zentrum für Jüdische Studien Berlin-Brandenburg (ZJS), founded in 2012, is a joint project between FU, HU, TU, EUV, UP, the Abraham Geiger Kolleg and the Moses Mendelssohn Center for European-Jewish Studies. Funded through the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the Center has three focus areas: to educate the next generation, to connect the existing, diverse range of Jewish studies as well as to contribute to internationalizing the research and teaching done in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.

JS offers a broad range of research fields thanks to the involvement of the five universities, two institutes and a number of associated institutions. It facilitates the development of networks in transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to history, philosophy, Jewish studies, theology, literature, music, and art history in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.

The areas of research include the history of the emergence of Jewish Studies, Berlin as a location of Jewish emancipation, the dialogue between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – the so-called monotheistic triangle – as well as memory cultures, especially the testimony and memorial culture on the Shoah. ZJS provides an academic supplementary program for research activities that deals with aspects of Jewish religion, history and culture. It is an excellent base for taking a doctorate in Berlin and Brandenburg with a coordinated course program involving unique workshops and various research groups.

Prof. Dr Rainer Kampling Prof. Dr Stefanie Schüler-Springorum  Dr Monika Schärtl Technische Universität Berlin Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Freie Universität Berlin Universität Potsdam internationalising programme