The subject History of the Jewish People deals with the history and culture of the Jewish people over a period of more than two and a half thousand years

from the era of the Second Temple to contemporary history,
in its entirety as well as in its manifold manifestations,
in continuity and change in the various epochs and spaces.

The illustration above shows the title page designed by Artur Szyk for "Visual History of Nations, Israel (1948)" (© CC The Arthur Szyk Society, Burlingame, CA).

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Distorted images of the "Jew" as an explanation of the world. From Joseph Süß Oppenheimer to "Queers for Palestine"

11 December 2025 History of the Jewish people Lecture Open

The Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies is participating in the art and education project "Invisible in the middle of society? Showing your face against anti-Semitism!", which will take place from November 20, 2025 to January 27, 2026 in cooperation with the Schwetzingen Adult Education Center and is generously funded by the Baden-Württemberg State Government Commissioner against Anti-Semitism and for Jewish Life.

In addition to the exhibition in the vhs-Galerie Schwetzingen, various lectures with academics from the HfJS Heidelberg and a film screening followed by a discussion are planned. The topics range from left-wing and socio-political forms of anti-Semitism to historical and current hostility towards Jews.

Lecture as part of the exhibition "Invisible - in the middle of society? Showing your face against anti-Semitism!"

Distorted images of the "Jew" as an explanation of the world.
From Joseph Süß Oppenheimer to "Queers for Palestine" - David Lüllemann M.A.

At first glance, the burning of the Talmud in Paris in 1240, the trial of the Privy Councilor for Finance J. S. Oppenheimer, the racial anti-Semitism of the late 19th century that led to National Socialism, anti-Zionist groups such as "Queers for Palestine" and anti-vaccination activists who believe in a Jewish world conspiracy have nothing to do with each other. At second glance, they all reveal a pattern: Distorted images of Jews located in a parallel reality serve as simple explanations of the world in a complex world that is perceived as overwhelming, thus making a minority the victim of its own excessive demands.

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All information on the events can be found here.