Jewish-Christian Bible Week

The next Bible Week will take place from 3 to 10 August 2025. All who are interested in the Bible and in Jewish-Christian dialogue are warmly invited to participate in this special encounter with texts and people – long-standing participants and new ones alike.

If you are considering attending the Bible Week for the first time, please let us know your address by e-mail or post so that we can send you the application form by the end of January 2025:

Haus Ohrbeck
Kerstin Beimdiek
Am Boberg 10
49124 Georgsmarienhütte
Germany

k.beimdiek@remove-this.haus-ohrbeck.de

The study groups in the morning address the issues raised by the texts, so that we can learn together. Jewish and Christian resource persons help with the text study, discussion and exchange of experience. All groups engage with the Hebrew and the Aramaic text, but each has a different emphasis:

• Ia In-depth study of the Hebrew text
  The groups work in a very concentrated way with the Hebrew text. They are for people who possess a good level of Hebrew.
• Ib In-depth study of the Hebrew text – canonical approach
  The groups work in a very concentrated way with the Hebrew text and explore its meaning with special reference to the composition and dramatic development of the book. These groups are for people who possess a good level of Hebrew.
• II Jewish-Christian Bible study
  The groups study the biblical text from the perspectives of Jewish and Christian traditions. Various translations are used alongside the Hebrew text. Hebrew language skills are not required.
• III The biblical text and the contemporary world
  The groups study the biblical text with special reference to today’s world. Various translations are used alongside the Hebrew text. Hebrew language skills are not required.
• IV Bible text: interpretation and artistic response
  The group studies the biblical text from Jewish and Christian perspectives. Various translations are used alongside the Hebrew text. Participants interpret the text using a variety of materials, guided by an art facilitator. All levels of experience welcome! Hebrew language skills are not required. This group will only be held if there is a sufficient number of participants.

Two lectures offer respectively a Jewish or Christian perspective, while the third may provide insight from literature, art, psychology etc. They will be given in English or German, with a written translation in the other language made available at the time.

The week of study includes a number of additional offerings arranged in smaller or larger groups:

• Speakers’ Corner: sessions offered by participants on topics broadly related to the Bible or Jewish-Christian dialogue
• Fringe: creative activities offered “on the fringe”
• Art stream: a chance for sustained art activity throughout the week
• concert
• afternoon excursion to interesting places in the area
• mutual invitation to attend all services
• personal encounters and free time

The glossary provides detailed information on issues and terms concerning the Bible Week:

• Apodosis  
• Fringe  
• Keynote Lectures  
• Speakers’ Corner  
• Study Groups  
• Teku
• Texts in dialogue          
• Religious Services at the Jewish-Christian Bible Week
  • Psalm Reading
  • Services on the Weekend
• Other services

Rabbi Prof. Dr Jonathan Magonet  Leo Baeck College London
Dr Uta Zwingenberger  Bibelforum Haus Ohrbeck  

Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen  Manchester
Rabbi James Baaden  London
Dr Annette Boeckler  Bonn
Sister M. Sponsalis Flacke FSGM  Papenburg
Revd Dr Kerstin Menzel  Leipzig
Nadine Schäfer M.A.  Bad Ems
Rabbi Mark Solomon  London  
Lara Westermeyer M.Ed.  Dortmund

The Bible Week is organised by Haus Ohrbeck and Leo Baeck College London