Ambivalent Pasts: On Jewish Colonial Experiences
As part of the Leibniz Cooperative Excellence funding program in the Leibniz competition, a three-year project starting in 2026 will investigate Jewish colonial experiences. The aim is to gain a nuanced understanding of the interconnections between Jewish experiences, colonial rule, anti-colonial movements, and processes of decolonization. To this end, four individual studies are being conducted at the Leibniz Institute for Jewish History and Culture – Simon Dubnow in Leipzig, the Leibniz Institute for European History (IEG) in Mainz, and the Chair of Global History at the University of Marburg.
The project focuses on the ambivalent Jewish positions between inclusion and exclusion, native and foreign, colonizer and colonized. In this way, it aims to undermine the dichotomies that are often found in public debates. The geographical focus is on the Mediterranean region during the period of upheaval in the mid-20th century. At the same time, the focus is shifted from the Israeli-Arab conflict to experiences that have been neglected until now. Analyzing these connections can contribute to a better understanding of current debates on colonialism, racism, and anti-Semitism.
The project is funded under the Leibniz Cooperative Excellence program beginning in January 2026.
