The Center for Political Theology

A Vision for Our Time

At a pivotal moment for Israeli democracy and Jewish identity, in which the relation between secular culture and religious community has become compromised, the Center for Political Theology at Hebrew Union College Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem is becoming a leading hub for global scholarship and public engagement at the intersection of religion, ethics, and politics.
Rooted in the Jewish tradition of critical inquiry, the Center brings religious leaders of the three monotheistic religions together with scholars, educators, public figures—religious and secular—to reimagine the theological foundations of political life in Israel and beyond. The Center lays the foundations for a culture of dialogue between religious and secular divides, in response to political trends of fundamentalism, radical post colonialism and neo fascism that pose a threat to global stability.

Mission & Goals

Drawing on the legacy of Hermann Cohen, the Kantian philosopher whose Religion of Reason continues to shape liberal Jewish thought, the Center seeks to:

• Illuminate the ethical and theological dimensions of political life.
• Promote dialogue across faith traditions and academic disciplines.
• Support leaders and changemakers with conceptual tools grounded in moral vision.
• Express a critical response to emerging religious fundamentalism and reductive secularism.

Why Political Theology?

A ‘post-secular’ reading of modernity suggests that Enlightenment values can be understood as combining religious and secular dimensions. In this spirit, theological concepts remain deeply influential in our modern politics.
The Center:

• Reexamines the spiritual foundations of secularism and the democratic state.
• Investigates how faith, conflict, and nationalism intersect.
• Offers ethical frameworks for today’s most urgent political debates.

A Consortium for Intellectual and Civic Impact

The Center aims to establish a consortium of 20–25 researchers, representing diverse academic institutions and religious traditions. Situated in Jerusalem, the cradle of the three monotheistic religious traditions. Hebrew Union College will serve as a key contributor, offering its unique perspective rooted in liberal Jewish theology and public leadership. Together, this consortium will generate collaborative scholarship, host joint symposia, and advise civic and religious institutions on questions of ethics, democracy, and identity.

A Permanent Forum for Political-Intellectual Discourse

Beyond research and publications, the Center aspires to create a permanent space—both physical and conceptual—for sustained political-theological discourse. By convening peers and stakeholders across sectors, the Center will function as an incubator for critical dialogue and responsible leadership in a time of political and moral uncertainty. Centered in Jerusalem, a microcosm of the enduring Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the initiative underscores the urgency of fostering spaces where diverse narratives can be examined with intellectual rigor and moral sensitivity.

Upcoming Events

Hermann Cohen Symposium on Critical Political Theology

• Prof. Yehoyada Amir, “Theopolitics in a Jewish Majority: in the Footsteps of Martin Buber”
• Rabbi Sivan Navon, “Feminist Readings of the Shechinah and Their Implications”

Bible, Prophecy Politics and the State. The Legacy of Political Realism – Conference session in partnership with the Catholic Academy in Berlin

Selected Past Lectures

Since its inception, the Center for Political Theology has hosted a number of impactful public lectures and scholarly events. These gatherings reflect the Center’s commitment to fostering critical discourse at the intersection of theology, ethics, and politics. Among them is the Hermann Cohen Symposium on Critical Political Theology, a recurring forum exploring the legacy and relevance of Cohen’s thought.

Dr. Shlomo Fischer | “Religious Zionism as a Romantic Movement” | June 5, 2025

Prof. Vivian Liska | “Theology in a Minor Key: Arendt, Kafka and Adorno” | May 29, 2025

Prof. Arthur Green | “Neo-Hasidic Readings” | May 8, 2025

Prof. Hanoch Ben Pazi | “The Jewish-Israeli Divide: A Theo-Political Account” | March 20, 2025

Prof. Meir Hatina | “Secularizing the Sacred: Challenging Readings of the Quran Among Liberal Muslims” | February 20, 2025

Dr. Limor Yehuda | “Rethinking Israel/Palestine” | January 30, 2025

Prof. George Yaakov Kohler | “The Origins of Reform Theology” | January 9, 2025

Rabbi Dr. Isaac Lipschitz | “Messianism, Antinomianism and the Temple Mount” | December 12, 2024

Dr. Avivit Inchi | “The Political Theology of Isaiah Leibovitch” | November 7, 2024

Prof. Menachem Lorberbaum | “The Secularization of Politics” | July 25, 2024

Prof. Christoph Schmidt | “Toward the Foundation of a Centre for Political Theology” | June 27, 2024

Leadership

Directed by:
Prof. Christoph Schmidt – Professor Emeritus, Hebrew University
Rabbi Dr. Michael Marmur – Professor of Jewish Theology, HUC Jerusalem
Guided by an international board of scholars and civic leaders.

Partner With Us

We invite visionary funders and philanthropic partners to join this bold initiative. With your support, the Center will:

• Establish a robust, interdisciplinary consortium
• Deepen international collaborations
• Create a lasting space for political-theological inquiry
• Shape public discourse on democracy, religion, and justice

Let’s shape a moral vocabulary for the politics of tomorrow, rooted in the best of our traditions.