Above Content Position
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Welcome to the Soetendorp Institute
The Jacob Soetendorp Institute for Human Values has been founded by Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp. Honoring the name of his late father, the Institute is building bridges between the religions, cultures and generations. It is guided by the imperative of tikkun olam, repairing a world that is broken for those in need, for ourselves and our future.
The basic motivation for the projects of the Soetendorp Institute was derived in Rabbi Soetendorp's moving life story, his "memory beyond memories": Having survived World War II as a hidden childed, rescued by a righteous couple who risked their lives for him, Rabbi Soetendorp has come to the conviction: When the gaze of a baby can still reach the heart, even in the deepest depravity, nothing is lost.
The Institute therefore promotes an "education of the heart" that generates hope, inspiration and empathy with other cultures, religions, and forms of life. We believe that these skills are essential for eradicating xenophobia and creating just, peaceful and sustainable communities.
Latest news
- Details
- Published: Tuesday, 17 October 2017
On 5 October 2017 the well-loved and respected Mayor of Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan, passed away, at the age of 62.
Rabbi Soetendorp added some memories of Eberhard van der Laan to an in memoriam published (in Dutch) by Max van Weezel in Vrij Nederland.
- Details
- Published: Monday, 16 January 2017
Martin Luther King: Never more Us and Them
We, members of Clergy and Laymen Concerned about Vietnam, rallied around Martin Luther King at the Military Cemetery of Arlington. A court decision issued at the last minute prevented us from uttering prayers, or giving sermons.
Martin Luther...
- Details
- Published: Friday, 02 December 2016
In June 2016, Rabbi Soetendorp gave a presentation in Bonn, Germany, for the "Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit", as part of the series "Religion Matters - Rethinking the Challenges of Tomorrow".
A summary of the presentation can be found here:
- Details
- Published: Wednesday, 19 October 2016
The annual Week of Respect will be held for the 11th time in The Netherlands, from 7 to 13 November 2016. This year's motto is "You make the difference". As in previous years, the focus will be on schools and sports. An overview of the program in English can be found here.
The Week of Respect...