Israeli historian Fania Oz-Salzberger has been named the new Director of Paideia: The European Institute of Jewish Studies in Sweden. Oz-Salzberger, currently a professor of history at the University of Haifa and daughter of Israeli author Amos Oz, follows Founding Director Barbara Spectre who will become Paideia’s Global Ambassador. The transition is effective August 25th with the arrival of the next class of Fellows.

Discussing this leadership transition, Paideia Chairman Gabriel Urwitz declared, “finding a successor for Founding Director Barbara Spectre, whose dedication and leadership created this outstanding intellectual Institute has not been easy, but with Fania we have secured a Director who will insure academic excellence of the highest caliber. Paideia has a bright future as the leading institution for European Jewish revival.”

Paideia carries out its mission with an intensive academic program that teaches its Fellows the intricacies of Jewish studies. Training both Jews and non-Jews, the Institute’s non-denominational scholarly framework facilitates a more diverse and inclusive Europe. Such an outcome comes about through a unique understanding of Jewish culture, one that its 500 plus alumni from 40 countries carry with them in order to act as forces for change in their own societies.

Beyond Paideia’s flagship program are many other activities, including European-Israeli faculty exchanges, leadership training seminars including Project Incubator and the Paradigm Program, lectures, conferences, dialogue with the global Jewish community, and more.

Paideia, The European Institute of Jewish Studies in Sweden, was founded in 2000 through the partial funding of the Swedish government and the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation. To learn more, please visit www.paideia-eu.org.