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Jewish religious education is still a young discipline in the field of Jewish studies. It was first established in 2003 at the University of Jewish Studies in Heidelberg in response to the changed social situation, which brought religious diversity in Germany, and thus also minority religions, into the focus of religious policy considerations. The emergence of Judaism in Germany from a congregational pedagogy to a publicly responsible religious education (school as a hinge between the individual student and the public of society) made it necessary to reflect on Jewish young people and their overall social context.

The tasks and research areas of Jewish religious education arise from this field of tension between the secular public, the individuality of young people and community interests.

1. Jewish religious education reflects historically and systematically on "Jewish learning" in order to make it fruitful for contemporary pedagogical discourse. At the same time, it interprets the Bible, Talmud, philosophy, liturgy and history in its own way with regard to their pedagogical and didactic relevance.

2. Jewish religious education not only reflects theories of being a subject, but also empirically researches the concrete situation of Jewish young people.

3. Learning processes take place in a Jewish or communal environment and are influenced from there. For this reason, Jewish religious education also describes Jewish educational institutions and actors in their functions.

4. Learning processes take place in a wider social context and, against this background, also have an impact on society. Jewish religious education, especially as minority education, must always keep this interdependence in mind and reflect on it in social discourses.

5. Jewish religious education also engages in an intensive exchange with other religious pedagogies (Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, etc.) in order to position itself in a broader religious education context in terms of method and content.

The first chair holder Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Daniel Krochmalnik was able to develop the educational plans for Jewish religious education required by the ministries of education and thus implement Jewish religious education in public schools together with the responsible state associations (Israelitische Religionsgemeinschaft Württembergs, Israelitische Religionsgemeinschaft Baden) until his departure in 2018. 

From winter semester 2021/22 onwards, it had only been possible to deepen academic or institutional networks with Heidelberg University of Education and Heidelberg University or other religious education platforms from the research assistant position. Since October 2024, Dr. Joshua Krug has been deputizing for the chair holder.