Mission

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Promoting Jewish Culture in Europe

Paideia’s mission is to actively promote the renewal and flourishing of European Jewish cultural and intellectual life in the wake of the Holocaust and the trauma of communism, to support cultural diversity and to disseminate humanistic values. Dedicated to the revival of Jewish culture in Europe, Paideia educates leaders for Europe – academicians, artists and community activists – towards fluency in the Jewish textual sources that have served as the wellsprings of Jewish civilization.

Paideia is a non-confessional institution of excellence, innovation, know-how and literacy that produces individual leaders and a collective movement of activism. The matrix at Paideia merges academic life with professional and community work, and Jewish culture with the wider European society.

A cornerstone in Paideia aim is that education is based on openness, democracy and transparency, and the wish to appropriate and draw advantage from a number of different cultures. The education is open to anyone with an interest and capability to add to Jewish culture and to the contribution of Jewish culture to a multifaceted European society. A free and open atmosphere is an important prerequisite.

Paideia aims to be an organization where everyone is treated equally and respectfully, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and physical ability. We direct ourselves towards future changemakers of Jewish life and intercultural work.

Paideia Institute

About

Paideia, The European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden is committed to revitalizing Jewish life and culture in Europe. Its educational programs train community leaders, academics, culture workers and social activists in the field of Jewish Studies. Central to Paideia’s approach is the learning of Jewish texts that are foundational to both Jewish heritage and modern Jewish civilization.

Paideia is pan-European, bringing participants from all of Europe together, promoting exchange and experience sharing. Paideia cooperates on an international level with academic, educational and cultural as well as  social institutions with the aim to build sustainable networks and strong international ties.

Paideia provides pluralistic, non-denominational and inclusive activities. Its graduates are Jewish and non-Jewish and its programs are open to everybody interested in promoting Jewish life and culture, regardless of denomination or affiliation. Paideia encourages intercultural dialogue and a positive minority presence in Europe.

Paideia gives its graduates knowledge and tools for their further work in the communities and societies they live in. Paideia supports its graduates with follow-up programs, network activities and engages the graduates in a dialogue about Jewish life and culture in Europe.