WHO WE ARE
The Parkes Institute is the world's oldest and most wide-ranging centre for the study of Jewish/non-Jewish relations across the ages. The Parkes Institute carries out a wide range of activities, underpinned by the Parkes library and Jewish archive collections.
​
Our work includes teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level, including a thriving doctoral programme. Our outreach programme includes adult education and cultural days, school and college visits, public seminars, and lectures across London and the South East. Our research is also world-renowned and covers all periods and approaches to Jewish history and culture.
​
Our activities are outlined each year in our annual review.
Outreach at the Parkes Institute
The Parkes Institute has a vibrant programme of outreach activities, which engages with the general public, local communities and sixth forms and colleges.
​
At Parkes, we value the opportunity to share our work and expertise in Jewish Studies, and particularly Jewish/non-Jewish Relations, beyond the University environment. Our outreach programme is open to everyone and we run activities and events both on and off campus throughout the year.
​
Jewish Studies looks at all subjects relating to Jewishness and Judaism whether historical, political, literary, philosophical, cultural or religious. Our outreach activities in Jewish Studies will be of interest to anyone who wants to learn more about Judaism and Jewishness, or how different cultures and religions interact.
​
The programme is delivered by members of the Parkes Institute, whose enthusiasm for their subjects is clear in their teaching. The involvement of the Parkes Institute also encourages a interdisciplinary approach to Jewish Studies, which illustrates the connection between different aspects of Jewish history and culture.
​
The outreach activities present the opportunity to look at the variety of issues that have impacted on the Jewish people throughout history and have influenced the relationship between Jews and non-Jews to the present. Examining Jewish Studies and Jewish/non-Jewish Relations not only deals with the past to understand where we are today, but is of fundamental importance to knowledge of inter-cultural issues that impact on today’s world.