Understanding, researching and communicating the diversity of Jewish communities – this was the theme of a summer academy organised in early September 2026 by the Research Network on Anti-Semitism in the 21st Century (FoNA21). Held at the Technical University of Berlin, the event brought together academia, educational work and social practice – and provided a space for diverse perspectives.
An interview with Adina Stern und Monika Schärtl
Adina Stern and Monika Schärtl are coordinators of FoNA21 at the Centre for Research on Anti-Semitism (ZfA) at the Technical University of Berlin.
FoNA21 was founded at the end of 2021 as part of the funding programme ‘Current Dynamics and Challenges of Anti-Semitism’ by the German Federal Minitry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). As a supporting project, it ensures that the research processes and findings of the BMFTR research consortia are put to the best possible use in civil society practice. At the same time, it fosters a constructive exchange between the research consortia involved in FoNA21 and their various academic approaches. During the first funding phase, it supported ten BMFTR projects which, from different perspectives and addressing different research questions, examined the causes, background and manifestations of contemporary antisemitism in Germany. In the second funding phase, FoNA21 is expanding its work as an accompanying project – with 13 new individual and collaborative BMFTR projects.
FoNA21 has developed into a larger, increasingly internationally oriented network that links research, practice and civil society more closely. What role do the summer academies play in knowledge transfer, Ms Schärtl?
Schärtl: From the very beginning, the summer academies were designed to present academic questions and findings from the funding programme’s projects to the public and to bring them into a dialogue with stakeholders from politics, education and civil society. We are delighted that, with the four summer academies now in place – which, incidentally, are always designed and organised in cooperation with the Moses Mendelssohn Centre – we have been particularly successful in connecting with multipliers, which leads to a wider reach.
At the 2026 Summer Academy, projects from both BMFTR funding streams presented their findings for discussion (see programme). In your view, Ms Stern, which new perspectives on antisemitism and the prevention of antisemitism were particularly relevant?
Stern: Unlike in previous years, this year’s programme was not focused exclusively on topics relating to research into antisemitism, but rather looked at the diverse realities of life for Jewish people in Germany. The last few months in particular have shown just how polarised and emotionally charged the discourse on antisemitism has become, and how those affected are often discussed primarily in terms of their victimhood, or even exploited and co-opted. That is why it was important to us to highlight the diversity of lifestyles, viewpoints and forms of empowerment. And, of course, there were once again numerous workshops on various topics, such as Jewish experiences in Jewish-non-Jewish and Jewish-Muslim exchange projects, the portrayal of Judaism and Israel in school textbooks, and, naturally, the prevention of antisemitism in both school and out-of-school education.
Is this reflected in the projects that have received funding?
Schärtl: As in previous years, we have expanded the range of activities offered by the projects through the involvement of a wide variety of participants from the fields of research and out-of-school education, and we are very grateful for their participation. But yes, the projects also focus on issues that concern or specifically address the realities of Jewish life – for example, when they examine the portrayal of Jewish women, Jews, Judaism and Israel in school textbooks, or the multiple discrimination faced by the post-migrant Jewish community – which now makes up a large proportion of the Jewish community – are examined. Or, indeed, questions regarding the safety of Jewish people and institutions.
Ms Stern, you just said that the polarisation of recent months was a decisive factor for you in choosing this topic. Would you like to elaborate on that?
Stern: The Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, the subsequent war in Gaza and the political fallout that has persisted ever since have not only led to fierce, and at times highly conflicting, reactions amongst the German public, but have also been – and continue to be – the subject of very controversial debate amongst Jewish people in Germany. However, the latter is generally not recognised by the camps that make their voices heard most loudly. Whilst one side focuses primarily on the Palestinian perspective, the other concentrates almost exclusively on the Israeli one. In doing so, both sides – consciously or unconsciously – also employ anti-Semitic patterns of language and thought. Our approach was therefore to invite as wide a range of Jewish perspectives as possible and to bring them into dialogue with one another. Thus, the Central Council of Jews was represented, as was the association ‘Gesellschaft im Wandel’; Makkabi Germany was present, as well as the long-established Jewish-socialist youth movement Hashomer Hatzair; the Jewish-Muslim exchange project ‘Meet2Respect’ was represented, as was the Jewish-queer association Keshet.
And, of course, 7 October 2023 also marked a turning point for most Jewish people’s sense of well-being and security, both due to rising anti-Semitism and the immense political tension surrounding the issue. This became very clear, amongst other things, during the panel discussions and in the lecture by Friederike Lorenz-Sinai and Marina Chernivsky, which explicitly addressed the experiences and interpretations of Jewish people regarding the issue of security following October 7.
Which formats at the Summer Academy have proved effective in facilitating the transfer of knowledge between research and practice?
Stern: This year, especially the two panel discussions featured a decidedly diverse range of participants and, precisely because of this, highlighted the breadth of Jewish perspectives. The first panel, entitled ‘A “new Judaism” in Germany?’, dealt with migration, transformation, conflicts and the diversity of Jewish life since the 1990s. Here, different religious currents met with perspectives from educational work, Jewish institutions and academia. This brought together diverse experiences, positions and ideas regarding how Jewish life in Germany has changed over the past decades.
The second panel, ‘Generation Future’, focused more closely on the future of Jewish life in Germany. Here, too, a wide range of positions and backgrounds came together – from academia and educational work, political and queer-Jewish activism, as well as from literature, publishing, film and the media.
This breadth of perspectives enabled a discussion that extended far beyond the topic of antisemitism. Instead, the focus was on the question of how Jewish people themselves wish to shape their present and future place in society. Developments in Israel, differing relationships with Israel, as well as criticism, concern and disappointment were also the subject of some heated debate.
What impetus did the 2026 Summer Academy provide for educational work, prevention and political practice? And conversely – how do insights from practice feed back into research?
Stern: The Summer Academies are both: places of learning, and spaces for exchange and interaction. Precisely because the audience comprises multipliers and key figures from various institutions and organisations, this aspect forms an important part of the programme, which also leads to lasting connections. At the same time, however, the workshops and seminars also offer the opportunity for in-depth insight and intensive exchange, which then provide impetus for further work not only for the participants but also for the speakers. This is, of course, partly because the participants generally bring their own prior knowledge and experiences to the table.
(The interview was conducted in writing on 7 October 2026; questions by Katrin Schlotter)
Source: GSW (in German)| Additional information on the 4th FoNA21 Summer Academy: FoNA21 (in German)