Jewish Academy to Open in 2026 in Frankfurt - Germany’s First Jewish Academy to Open in Frankfurt by 2026
Germany’s first Jewish Academy will open in Frankfurt in 2026. The institution aims to foster dialogue and education with a focus on Jewish perspectives. It will be the country’s first supraregional, non-university Jewish educational centre since the Shoah.
The academy is set to launch in September 2026 at the Senckenberganlage site in Frankfurt. Construction is already underway, with a total budget of €38 million. Funding comes from federal, state, and local governments, as well as the Central Council of Jews.
Frankfurt was selected for its strong Jewish infrastructure and political history linked to the Jewish community. The city also hosts the Central Council’s department of education, which played a key role in the decision. Local officials actively campaigned to bring the academy to Frankfurt. The academy’s mission is to 'embrace differences and strengthen common ground' through events, seminars, and scholarly debates. A major focus will be interfaith exchange, particularly between Christian-Jewish and Muslim-Jewish communities. It will also collaborate with Frankfurt’s Goethe University and engage with similar institutions in France and Britain. Unlike existing Jewish educational centres in Europe, this academy will serve a broad audience beyond the Jewish community. Its goal is to enrich Germany’s educational landscape by offering a distinct Jewish perspective.
The Jewish Academy will provide a new platform for learning and dialogue in Germany. With its interfaith focus and academic partnerships, it aims to bridge communities and expand educational opportunities. The project marks a significant development in the country’s post-Shoah Jewish cultural revival.
