That's a Wrap: Annual Gathering 2026
Our annual staff meeting took place from January 9–11, 2026, in Monbachtal near Bad Liebenzell. Due to weather-related disruptions, one part of our team was only able to participate online, requiring the meeting to be held in an unplanned hybrid format. Nevertheless, the other part of our team, including the project leaders along with our guests and external collaborators, were able to gather at the Christian Guest Houses to evaluate the work of the past year, develop perspectives for the future, and create space for professional exchange and team-building.
The central academic focus of the meeting was the Dead Sea Scroll texts. The most recent research questions were presented in a digital lecture by Prof. Dr. Jutta Jokiranta (Helsinki), accompanied by numerous references to further literature. Dr. Shlomi Efrati (Leuven) joined us to guide the shared readings and to support, with his extensive expertise, the translation and interpretation of the selected Dead Sea Scroll texts into the CJH commentaries.
Intensive work also took place in mixed small groups: the authors of the commentaries were able to receive targeted, constructive feedback, engage in stimulating discussions, and gather further suggestions for future work. Looking ahead, it was decided in particular to further strengthen joint readings from a CJH perspective as well as collaboration in the small teams.
Overall, the meeting was characterized by an open, focused, and collegial atmosphere, which supported both the scholarly work and our collaboration.
The next annual gathering will be held in Wittenberg from 15th to 17th of January 2027.
Freitag, 09.01.2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
14.30 Uhr | Welcome with coffee | |
15.00 Uhr | Opening | Prof. Dr. Roland Deines |
15.15–16.15 Uhr | Some Recent Developments in Dead Sea Scrolls Research | Prof. Dr. Jutta Jokiranta (Helsinki per Zoom) |
16.15–16.30 Uhr | Break | |
16.30–18.00 Uhr | Reading of CD 4:12–5:6 | Dr. Shlomi Efrati (Leuven) |
18.00–19.00 Uhr | Dinner | |
19.00–20.30 Uhr | Reading of 4Q416 2 iii 15–21 | Dr. Shlomi Efrati |
20.45 Uhr | Prayers | Andrej Lacko/Dr. Nicole Oesterreich |
Samstag, 10.01.2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
8.00 Uhr | Morning prayers | Dr. Serhii Smahlo |
8.15–9.00 Uhr B | Breakfast | |
9.00–9.45 Uhr | Discussion of 1QS 5:5–7 for 1 Cor 3:16 | Dr. Nicole Oesterreich/Dr. Shlomi Efrati |
9.45–10.30 Uhr | Discussion of 1QHa 11:7–11 for Mark 13:8 | Dr. Serhii Smahlo/Dr. Shlomi Efrati |
10.30–10.45 Uhr | Break | |
10.45–11.30 Uhr | Discussion of 1QpHab 8,1–3 for 1 Tim 1:1 | Andrej Lacko/Dr. Shlomi Efrati |
11.30–12.15 Uhr | Debate: Dead Sea Scrolls & Second Temple Literature (incl. NT). Outcome for the CJHNTdigital project | Dr. Shlomi Efrati und Teilnehmende an der Tagung |
12.15 Uhr–13.00 Uhr | Lunch | |
13.00–14.30 Uhr | Break | |
14.30 Uhr | Coffee | |
14.45–15.50 Uhr | Presenting and Discussing CJHNT Commentaries in Small Groups Platform: Hands-on-Workshop with Dr. Matt | Dr. Matthew Munson & SHKs |
15.50–16.05 Uhr | Break | |
16.05–17.10 Uhr | Presenting and Discussing CJHNT Commentaries in Small Groups | |
17.10–18.00 Uhr | Presentation of the Draft Guidelines on Online Commentaries | PD Dr. Felix John |
18.00–19.00 Uhr | Dinner | |
ab 19.30 Uhr | Warm Invitation from Roland Deines to a Relaxed Evening Gathering |
Fakultativ: Sonntag, 11.01.2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
8.00 Uhr | Breakfast | |
9.00–10.30 Uhr | Meeting of the project leaders | project leaders, research team leader |
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