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Jewish-Christian Bible Week

For more than fifty years Jews and Christians from Germany, England and the Netherlands, from the USA, Israel and other countries, scholars and interested lay people, have come together at the International Jewish-Christian Bible Week to study biblical texts against a background of the two traditions. Until 2003 it took place at the Hedwig Dransfeld Haus, Bendorf on Rhine, and since then in Haus Ohrbeck near Osnabrück.

Bible Week’s History

Bible Week 2024

The Book of Daniel, chapters 1 to 6

“They could not read the writing or explain what it meant.” Dan. 5:8

The next Bible Week will take place from 21 to 28 July 2024. 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.

Read more

Essentials at a glance

  • Beginning and End of the Conference
    Beginning: Sunday, 21 July 2024 / 15 Tammuz 5784 with dinner at 18:00
    End: Sunday, 28 July 2024 / 22 Tammuz 5784 at 13:00 after lunch
  • Languages
    are German and English. Translation is available throughout the conference.
  • Families
    are welcome, and a children’s programme is available (minimum age 3 years).
  • All meals
    are vegetarian, although fish may be served. Please make special dietary requirements known to us on the application form.
  • Conference fee
    • including accommodation, meals and programme
      Regular: £ 565 / € 640
      Students up to 28 years: £ 280 / € 320
      Supplement for single room with private bathroom: £ 95 / € 105
      Children: £ 125 / € 140
    • without accommodation, including meals and programme
      Regular: £ 420 / € 480
      Students up to 28 years: £ 210 / € 240

    Members of the “Bendorfer Forum” are entitled to a 10% reduction.
     

  • Cancellation fee
    • after 23 June 2024: 40%
    • after 7 July 2024: 75%


    Nobody should be unable to participate for financial reasons. Please do not hesitate to contact us in such a case.
    We welcome donations to enable others to attend.

Registration

You can register for the Bible Week using our online form or download the pdf of the registration form and send it back to us, printed out and filled out:

register on-line

application form (pdf)

If you have any questions or encounter difficulties in the registration process, please feel free to contact us:
Kerstin Beimdiek, k.beimdiek@remove-this.haus-ohrbeck.de

You can help us if you register by April 19, 2024!


What’s more to learn
about the Bible Week

Study Groups

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.
  • IVa 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 facili-tator. 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.
  • IVb Bible text: interpretation and creative engagement
    The group studies the biblical text from Jewish and Christian perspectives. Various translations are used alongside the Hebrew text. The group engages with
    the text by means of expressive methods (sound, voice, and movement), guided by a 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.

Keynote Lectures

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.

Additional Features

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

Glossary

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

Organisation

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
Erik Koren  Zeist
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


Bible Week 2024 to 2026

2024
21 to 28 July 2024
15 to 22 Tammuz 5784

2025
3 to 10 August 2025
9 to 16 Av 5785

2026
26 July to 2 August 2026
12 to 19 Av 5786

Support comes from...

The Bible Week is grateful for the continued support of: