The focus of Schwäbisch Gmünd: Exchange with Israel's teaching students!

The focus of Schwäbisch Gmünd: Exchange with Israel's teaching students!

In May 2025, there was a significant exchange as part of the "Teachers for the Future" program between the PH Schwäbisch Gmünd and the Levinsky Wyngate College in Tel Aviv. This program, which was launched by the Ministry of Science, Research and Art in cooperation with the Philip Schwarz Foundation, aims to network teacher students from Israel and Baden-Württemberg and to give them an insight into the education systems of both countries. The students had the opportunity to attend courses in physics and biology, to attend a lesson at the Parler high school, to get to know the knowledge workshop Eule and to take excursions to Stuttgart and Ulm.

A highlight of the exchange was the group meeting with Maren Stetege, representative of the Israeli Consulate General, in Stuttgart. Here the role of students in German-Israeli relationships and their importance for intercultural dialogue were discussed. In addition, Richard Arnold, Mayor of Gmünd, received the guests during a city tour in the town hall and emphasized the importance of such exchange programs for understanding between cultures.

scientific cooperation between Germany and Israel

Scientific relationships between Germany and Israel are of historical importance and have developed strongly since the Second World War. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the theological study in Jerusalem, funded by the DAAD and the Federal Foreign Office, DAAD President Joybrato Mukherjee and the German Ambassador in Israel, Steffen Seibert, spoke about the success and challenges of these relationships. The program enables theology students from Germany, Austria and Switzerland a unique interreligious exchange in which they get to know Jewish and Muslim faith communities.

There are a total of over 5,000 active German-Israeli science projects that contribute to strengthening bilateral relationships. Nevertheless, recent developments, especially after October 7, 2023, have reported some Israelis of exclusion in the international science company. The discussion about the academic educational opportunities in the Palestinian areas and the promotion of empathy between Israelis and Palestinians are also central aspects of these programs.

challenges and opportunities

The Bertelsmann Foundation emphasizes the importance of a reflected design of German-Israeli relationships. She warns of the increasing anti -Semitic tendencies in Germany, which in a survey showed that 27% of the respondents support the statement that "Jews in the world have too much influence" - the highest value in years. The increase in young men under the age of 40 is particularly worrying, where consent has increased to 36%.

The survey on cooperation between Germany and Israel shows that 40% of Germans find the cooperation sufficient, while 68% of Israelis want an intensification of bilateral relationships. The Bertelsmann Foundation calls for a critical solidarity with Israel and the expansion of civil society exchange projects in education, science and culture. In summary, it can be said that the exchange between German and Israeli educational institutions in the middle of the challenges with which both countries are confronted is of great importance for both students and for society as a whole. Such programs not only promote understanding between cultures, but also contribute to basic research and the creation of a more peaceful coexistence in the region.