Students can earn credit points within the Studium Generale framework by participating in the seminars listed below for 2025. These seminars have been designed by the Mideast Freedom Forum Berlin (MFFB) and are offered in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Jürgen Schulz in the Society and Economic Communication program at UdK Berlin. They are open to all students. If sufficient spots are available, students from other universities may also participate.

An overview of the seminars will soon be published in the Studium Generale. Further information can be found below in the internal educational offerings.

The workshop for lecturers and staff has also been designed by the MFFB and will be conducted by its speakers.

Since 2015, the Mideast Freedom Forum Berlin (MFFB) has been engaged in historical-political education, promoting a fact-based and democratic discourse on antisemitism, Islamism, right-wing extremism, and the Middle East conflict.

In three sessions of four hours each, this seminar will explore historical and contemporary perspectives on the Middle East conflict and the antisemitism that arises in this context.

The history of European antisemitism was a central driving force behind the emergence of Zionism as a Jewish national movement advocating for a state where Jews could determine their own fate and defend themselves. This goal became a reality with the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. At the same time, an Arab-Palestinian national movement developed, increasingly positioning itself in opposition to the Zionist movement. Understanding both the Jewish-Israeli and the Muslim-Arab claims to the land requires a historical perspective.

The seminar systematically introduces the core issues of the conflict and explores possible future perspectives in the Israeli-Arab and Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also examines how the term "Middle East conflict" is shaped by non-Arab Islamist regimes, such as Iran, which has sought Israel’s destruction since 1979, as well as by new security threats that continuously reshape the conflict’s complexity.

In the later part of the seminar, discussions will focus on the debates surrounding the Middle East conflict in Germany and the antisemitism directed at the State of Israel. Special attention will be given to the period following October 7, 2023, and its impact on the cultural sector.

Seminar, German/English, 1 SWS, 1 ECTS, 35 participants.

Schedule:

• April 16, 2025, 2–6 PM: Hardenbergstraße 33, Room 158
• April 23, 2025, 12–4 PM: Hardenbergstraße 33, Room 110
• April 30, 2025, 12–4 PM: Hardenbergstraße 33, Room 110

Requirements:

• Active and full participation
• Completion of an assignment before the final session

More information and seminar registration via Studium Generale (link to follow).

For content-related questions, feel free to contact: seminar_ @mideastfreedomforum.org

Lecturers: Jahne Nicolaisen, Michael Spaney, and Reza Zadeh (Mideast Freedom Forum Berlin)

Jahne Nicolaisen

Jahne Nicolaisen works as a program director and lecturer in the "Bildungsbaustein Israel" project and in the antisemitism prevention project at UdK Berlin. His focus areas include antisemitism, Islamism, right-wing extremism, and critical theory. Nicolaisen holds a master's degree in political science from Freie Universität Berlin. He previously completed his bachelor's degree in political science at FU Berlin and Marmara University in Istanbul.

Michael Spaney

Michael Spaney has been the chairman and director of MFFB since 2008 and is also a lecturer in the "Bildungsbaustein Israel" project. Before joining MFFB, Spaney worked as a television journalist as well as a director and dramaturge at various German theaters. His most recent publications include a study on the portrayal of Israel in Berlin school textbooks (2023, see the MFFB website) and the essay "The Middle East Conflict: Distorted Images, Myths, and Facts" in Julia Bernstein (ed.): Antisemitism in Schools in Germany. Findings – Analyses – Courses of Action, Beltz Publishing Group, Weinheim, 2020.

Reza Zadeh

Reza Zadeh is an independent youth and adult educator and serves as an educational consultant for the "Bildungsbaustein Israel" project at MFFB. He gives lectures on topics such as Iran, Islam, fascism analysis, and political theory and conducts workshops for young people on racism and antisemitism. Zadeh earned his master's degree in philosophy at Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, where he also studied political science, history, and philosophy.

Building on historical manifestations of antisemitism (e.g., in right-wing extremism, Islamism, or left-wing radicalism) within academic and cultural contexts, this seminar—consisting of four sessions of four hours each—will also address contemporary issues. Through case studies, the analysis of social structures and selected organizations, as well as the inclusion of Jewish perspectives, the (dis)continuities of current problem constellations will be examined. Ultimately, the goal is to explore both historical and ongoing measures against antisemitism and critically reflect on them.

Seminar, German/English, 1 SWS, 1 ECTS, 35 participants.

Schedule:

• May 7, 2025
• May 14, 2025
• May 21, 2025
• May 28, 2025
  Each Wednesday, 2–6 PM, Hardenbergstraße 33, Room 158.

Requirements:

• Active and full participation

More information and seminar registration via Studium Generale (link to follow).

For content-related questions, feel free to contact: seminar_ @mideastfreedomforum.org

Lecturers: Jahne Nicolaisen, Michael Spaney, and Reza Zadeh (Mideast Freedom Forum Berlin)

Jahne Nicolaisen works as a program director and lecturer in the "Educational Module Israel" project and as a lecturer in the antisemitism prevention project at UdK Berlin. His focus areas include antisemitism, Islamism, right-wing extremism, and Critical Theory. Nicolaisen earned his Master's degree in Political Science from Freie Universität Berlin. He previously completed his Bachelor's in Political Science at FU Berlin and Marmara University in Istanbul.

Michael Spaney has been Chairman and Director of MFFB since 2008 and a lecturer in the "Educational Module Israel" project. Before joining MFFB, he worked as a television journalist as well as a director and dramaturge at various German theaters. His most recent publications include a study on the portrayal of Israel in Berlin school textbooks (2023, see MFFB website) and the essay "The Middle East Conflict: Distorted Images, Myths, and Facts" in: Julia Bernstein (ed.): Antisemitism in Schools in Germany. Findings – Analyses – Action Options, Beltz Publishing Group, Weinheim 2020.

Reza Zadeh is an independent educator in youth and adult education and serves as an educational consultant for the "Educational Module Israel" project at MFFB. He lectures on Iran, Islam, fascism analysis, and political theory and conducts workshops for young people on racism and antisemitism. Zadeh earned his Master's degree in Philosophy from Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, where he previously studied Political Science, History, and Philosophy.

In this seminar, participants will learn the fundamentals of antisemitism- and racism-critical educational work. Future educators and interested students will be sensitized in a self-reflective manner and through in-depth exercises on how to correctly assess antisemitic and racist incidents in (higher) education and how to intervene effectively.

The seminar begins with a historical and systematic examination of the differences and similarities between antisemitism and racism. It will then address art-specific debates and introduce various pedagogical approaches.

Seminar, German/English, 1 SWS, 1 ECTS, 35 participants.

Schedule:

Friday, June 6 & June 20, 2025, 12:00–6:00 PM
Hardenbergstraße 33, Room 102

Requirements: Active and full participation, as well as a task to be completed between the two sessions.

Further information and registration for the seminar via Studium Generale (registration link to follow).

For content-related questions, feel free to contact: seminar_ @mideastfreedomforum.org

Lecturers: Jahne Nicolaisen, Michael Spaney, and Reza Zadeh (Mideast Freedom Forum Berlin)

Jahne Nicolaisen works as a program director and lecturer in the "Educational Module Israel" project and as a lecturer in the antisemitism prevention project at UdK Berlin. His focus areas include antisemitism, Islamism, right-wing extremism, and Critical Theory. Nicolaisen earned his Master's degree in Political Science from Freie Universität Berlin. He previously completed his Bachelor's in Political Science at FU Berlin and Marmara University in Istanbul.

Michael Spaney has been Chairman and Director of MFFB since 2008 and a lecturer in the "Educational Module Israel" project. Before joining MFFB, he worked as a television journalist as well as a director and dramaturge at various German theaters. His most recent publications include a study on the portrayal of Israel in Berlin school textbooks (2023, see MFFB website) and the essay "The Middle East Conflict: Distorted Images, Myths, and Facts" in: Julia Bernstein (ed.): Antisemitism in Schools in Germany. Findings – Analyses – Action Options, Beltz Publishing Group, Weinheim 2020.

Reza Zadeh is an independent educator in youth and adult education and serves as an educational consultant for the "Educational Module Israel" project at MFFB. He lectures on Iran, Islam, fascism analysis, and political theory and conducts workshops for young people on racism and antisemitism. Zadeh earned his Master's degree in Philosophy from Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, where he previously studied Political Science, History, and Philosophy.

Antisemitic verbal expressions and actions, as well as "antisemitism debates" and their rejection, have been prevalent at German universities for some time. This professional development session offers faculty and staff the opportunity to engage with antisemitism critique in the university context.

Current forms of antisemitism—including right-wing extremism, Islamism, left-wing radicalism, and manifestations from the so-called "center"—will be discussed, incorporating Jewish perspectives. This dialogue space allows participants to share their own experiences and engage in self-reflective processing.

Participants will gain guidance on distinguishing between legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies and antisemitic rhetoric. At its core, antisemitism critique also involves reflecting on one's own (e.g., artistic, academic, or biographical) approaches.

Schedule:
Session 1: Focus on faculty (staff also welcome)
Date: Friday, June 27, 2025
Time: 12:00–4:00 PM
Location: Hardenbergstraße 33, Room 102
Session 2: Focus on staff (faculty also welcome)
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Time: 12:00–4:00 PM
Location: Hardenbergstraße 33, Room 158
Registration: seminar_ @mideastfreedomforum.org

Lecturers: Jahne Nicolaisen, Michael Spaney, and Dr. Ulrike Becker (Mideast Freedom Forum Berlin)

Jahne Nicolaisen is a program director and lecturer in the Educational Module Israel project and an instructor in the antisemitism prevention project at UdK Berlin. His focus areas include antisemitism, Islamism, right-wing extremism, and Critical Theory. Nicolaisen earned his Master’s degree in Political Science from Freie Universität Berlin, where he also completed his Bachelor’s degree, with additional studies at Marmara University in Istanbul.

Michael Spaney has been Chairman and Director of MFFB since 2008 and a lecturer in the Educational Module Israel project. Before joining MFFB, he worked as a television journalist as well as a director and dramaturge at various German theaters. His most recent publications include a study on the portrayal of Israel in Berlin school textbooks (2023, see MFFB website) and the essay "The Middle East Conflict: Distorted Images, Myths, and Facts" in: Julia Bernstein (ed.): Antisemitism in Schools in Germany. Findings – Analyses – Action Options, Beltz Publishing Group, Weinheim 2020.

Dr. Ulrike Becker is a historian and research director at MFFB. She is MFFB’s expert on Iran relations and develops concepts against antisemitism while organizing public events and lectures. In September 2020, she earned her PhD from the University of Jena, focusing on German-Egyptian relations in the post-war period. Her dissertation was published in 2024 under the title Nazis am Nil (Nazis on the Nile) by Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht Verlag. She studied History and Literary Studies at the University of Hamburg, writing her Master’s thesis on the portrayal of Israel in the international press. From 2002 to 2004, she worked as an external research assistant for Prof. Robert Wistrich (Hebrew University, Jerusalem) on a project analyzing Israel’s representation in German media. She received a three-year scholarship from the Fondation pour la Mémoire de la Shoah in Paris for her dissertation.

Before joining MFFB, Dr. Becker worked as a research associate at YIISA (Yale Interdisciplinary Initiative for the Study of Antisemitism) at Yale University in New Haven, USA. Since the winter semester 2023/2024, she has been a Research Fellow at the Centrum für Antisemitismus- und Rassismusstudien (CARS) at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences (katho) in Aachen.

Here you will find a selection of external workshops and seminars from our network.

Project "I AM FROM ISRAEL: ASK ME ANYTHING", Hosted by Civil Watch Against Antisemitism
Special Guest: Hamza Howidy

Hamza Howidy, born in Gaza, studied at the Islamic University in Gaza and first participated in protests in 2019. Speaking out against poor living conditions and Hamas governance, Hamza was arrested in 2023. Facing ongoing threats, he fled Gaza and now resides in Germany under a special visa.

About Civil Watch Against Antisemitism
Established in the wake of October 7, 2023, Civil Watch Against Antisemitism is a coalition of Jewish and non-Jewish activists dedicated to combating antisemitism and fostering mutual understanding. Their flagship initiative, "I Am From Israel: Ask Me Anything," creates spaces for open, meaningful dialogue at universities, amplifying Israeli voices, and encouraging conversations about antisemitism, Jewish life, and pressing global issues.

Why Attend?
This event offers a unique opportunity to confront harmful stereotypes, explore peaceful solutions, and build bridges through dialogue. By participating, you contribute to creating a more informed, empathetic, and inclusive community.Limited spots available!

Register here