Being Part of Likrat

The SIG’s dialogue and education project Likrat builds on encounters with school classes, companies, organisations and adults in general. Many people in Switzerland know little about Judaism and its traditions and culture, or about the diversity that exists within Judaism. Most important, however: they may never have met a Jewish person face to face, let alone talked to them. This is where the project’s ambassadors step in, the Likratinos and Likratinas. They give Judaism a face, making Judaism something you can encounter and experience.

Likratinos und Likratinas are committed to fostering mutual understanding, emphasising what people have in common, and reducing antisemitic and racist prejudices and stereotypes.

Encounters with schoolchildren

Encounters with school classes are conducted by young Jews. They are prepared for this task in an intensive course that enables them to provide information on numerous aspects of Judaism, to share their knowledge and experience, and to answer a wide range of questions. The focus at Likrat is not only on specialist knowledge, but also on the Likrat team members’ own personal experiences with being Jewish. This helps familiarise pupils and students with different varieties of Jewishness and so gain a more differentiated understanding. A Likrat encounter is primarily a dialogue among peers with similar life experiences but different backgrounds. This prepares the ground for questions that can all be voiced in a Likrat encounter – nothing is taboo. For the Likratinas and Likratinos involved, the experience gained in such encounters also represents a major enrichment.

They develop important leadership skills, learn to stand in front of a group with confidence and not to be thrown off balance by critical questions.

Older newcomers to Likrat also welcome

The spin-off project Likrat Public focuses on companies, organisations and adults in general. It enables company employees, members of organisations and also individual adults to gain a direct and personal impression of Judaism and learn more about Jewish life. This knowledge is then often used in contact with Jewish clients or guests.

This is where experienced Likratinos and Likratinas are deployed, but also newcomers of all ages and different backgrounds.

They not only inform non-Jews about aspects of Judaism, but also bring their very own religious, cultural, professional and personal life experience to bear. Likrat training courses are therefore open to adults, too, and can be used for personal further education and development purposes. All in all, being a part of Likrat very often proves to be a highly meaningful, unforgettable and enriching contribution towards reducing prejudices and raising awareness of what it means to be a Jew in Swiss society.

Participating in Likrat

The commitment and motivation of the Likratinas and Likratinos are a key factor in the project’s success. Whether young or not so young, interested persons are always welcome to familiarise themselves with the project and eventually become a part of it.