The workshop interdisciplinary of its kind, hosted about 20 researchers – Israeli (Jewish and Arab), Palestinians and Germen, who read, discussed, debated, foundational texts – from the Hebrew Bible and the Quran, Midrash and Tafsir to contemporary Arabic, Hebrew and German-Jewish literature and philosophy.

The discussions were far-reaching, scholarly, critical, and dialogical. Most of the sessions were based on short/slow readings and conversations. They learned about the complexities of the liturgical texts, about the depth of the traditional interpretation, its affirmative and critical perspectives. Also, they dealt with the dialectic of the Enlightenment and the critique of the secular/religious. In the discussions they experienced the work of educated, well-skilled senior and young scholars, who were open, devoted and encouraging. All participants expressed their gratitude and asked for a continuous workshop, to include writing-assignments, practicing scholarly/academic frames of writing, both individually and jointly, sharing and exchanging the challenges of study the dialectics of our traditions and their futurities.