News

ThD Topias Tanskanen, a postdoctoral researcher in exegetics at the Polin Institute, was invited to the “Dialogues in Judaic Studies” podcast, led by Dr. Ari Barbalat, to discuss his new book, Jacob in Jubilees. Jacob, the Torah and the Abrahamic Promise (Berlin: De Gruyter, 2025). You can listen to the podcast here.

Jewish Studies in the Nordic CountriesJunior Researcher Conference Turku, Finland 9-10 November, 2026 This is a conference for scholars in all disciplines whose research can be classified as “Jewish Studies”. It is especially geared towards junior researchers (PhD students and recent PhD graduates). Senior scholars are also very welcome, but we reserve the option of […]

The research project IJCB (Isaiah between Judeo-Christian Borderlines), that has received financial support from The Polin Institute (for the years 2022-2024) and from the Academy of Finland (for the period 1.9. 2022 – 31.8. 2026), has a new publication Isaiah between Judaism and Christianity. Early Christian Reception and Interpretation (Mohr Siebeck, 2026). The publication has the […]

Need time to finalize a book manuscript? Apply for a research stint at the Polin Institute for theological research within Åbo Akademi University, Finland. The Polin Institute is an international center for theological research in Finland. We announce two research stints of maximum six months between the beginning of September 2026 and the end of February […]

Yet another year of fruitful and, at least for my part, joyful cooperation is turning to its end. The community, exciting discussions and encounters, as well as motivating work have kept me going this year. The outcome has also been a good number of brilliant publications, incoming competed research funding and thrilling conferences, seminars etc. […]

Throughout the course, the focus has been on interreligious interactions and dialogue. We discussed how history has affected us, how doctrine written in a different society affects us in a more secular and postmodern society, and how this understanding impacts interreligious dialogue. Languages play a significant role in our surroundings, culture, and life. They take […]

When visiting the modern and bustling district of Kadiköy, it is difficult to imagine it having any connection to the ancient city of Chalcedon. One of the first sights we saw when we visited on 10 November was a Starbucks, quickly followed by streets where anyone looking for anime and band merchandise, alternative clothing or […]

What comes to mind when you think of a liturgical language? Latin? Sanskrit? Perhaps classical Arabic? The following blog post is dedicated to the intriguing and mystical language of Ladino. Ladino is a spoken language within the global Sephardic community. The Sephardic community consists of Jews who lived in the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle […]

What is the place of religion in a secular society? How should we understand secularism? Can there be peace among people with different beliefs? Do we need to establish common ground before we can discuss anything? Is it necessary to agree in order to have a fruitful dialogue? Who dictates the course of the state? […]