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Friday, November 28, 2025

Violence, a problem in Jewish thought?

Cycle of lectures 2026

The history of Israel is a history deeply marked by violence. Jewish people have far too often been its victims. Indeed, the history of humanity cannot be explained without acknowledging the brutality repeatedly suffered by Jewish communities in Europe.
The close link with violence, either to defend it or to reject it, is strongly present in Jewish thought. However, the current government of the State of Israel has openly embraced it in order to consolidate a Zionist project in Palestine.
Violence, however incomprehensible or shocking, demands attention and analysis. In this lecture series, we will examine how several Jewish thinkers have understood and theorized it.

Programme

Wednesday, 15 January – 6:30 pm
De la Bíblia a Flavi Josep: reflexions sobre violència i guerra, by Joan Ferrer Costa, University of Girona.

February
Què ha passat amb els valors humanistes de la tradició jueva?, by Margot Alejandra Fuentes Kratter and Daniela Rosenfeld, JCall Barcelona – Una altra veu jueva.

March
Simone Weil: l’enemic és la guerra, by Pau Matheu, University of Barcelona.

April
Pensant la pau (i la guerra) amb Hannah Arendt, by Fina Birulés, University of Barcelona.

May
Dones i Co-Resistència en conflicte Israel-Palestina, by Marta Marín-Dòmine, University of Barcelona, writer.

June
Els textos sagrats, la religió, la política, i les armes, by Teresa Forcades, philosopher.

You can access the recorded lectures thanks to the Digital Audio and Video Repository of the University of Girona (DUGI Media).

Catalan language.
Place: Nahmanides Institute for Jewish Studies
Free attendance with prior registration.

Dates from February to June will be confirmed shortly.

Organised by: Nahmanides Institute for Jewish Studies (Patronat Call de Girona) and Ferrater Mora Chair of Contemporary Thought (UdG).