The interdisciplinary workshop on the topic of "Blood is a very special juice" on 14 July at the University of Jewish Studies will offer a scientifically diverse approach to this fascinating bodily fluid.
Speakers will use the entire day, starting at 11 a.m., to explain the significance of blood from the perspective of their respective fields of research in short presentations.
Among other things, the concept will be explored in Jewish and Christian contexts of the past and present, as well as the use of actual blood in modern medicine. While the rector of the university, Prof. Dr Werner Arnold, will address the topic of blood in the modern Near East, Dr Andreas Brämer, deputy director of the Hamburg Institute for the History of German Jews, will take up the topic of slaughtering and the shechita debate in Germany since 1945. Rav Riccardo di Segni, Chief Rabbi of Rome and himself a doctor specialising in radiology, will be joining us from Rome to discuss "Genes, Genius and Blood in Ashkenazi Communities".
The workshop is part of a research project by Rav Prof. Dr Birgit Klein (Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies), which she is conducting together with her project partner, the haematologist and oncologist Prof. Dr Michael Schmitt (University of Heidelberg). The interdisciplinary approach of the project, which is based at Heidelberg University's Marsilius Kolleg, makes it possible to discuss the ethical and religious implications of dealing with blood products, transplants and genetic engineering.
Participation in the workshop is free of charge and open to all. Registration is requested for the subsequent Caribbean Shabbat celebration at 7 pm (registration@hfjs.eu).
