October 23, 2025 – Fribourg

The Swiss section meeting took place at the University of Fribourg on October 23, 2025. Prof. Dr. Dina El Omari—Professor of Intercultural Religious Education and Head of the Research Unit for Islamic-Theological Gender Studies at the University of Münster—participated as a guest speaker. During the autumn semester of 2025, she served as a lecturer at the Swiss Centre for Islam and Society at the University of Fribourg; at the section meeting, she delivered a compelling lecture on feminism and the Quran, focusing on hermeneutic approaches and the interpretation of Quranic verses concerning eschatology and gender. The meeting concluded with the business session, following a lively group work session, an animated plenary discussion, and a reception.

November 8, 2024, Zurich:

On Friday, November 8, 2024, the Swiss section met in Zurich. Dr. Nina Beerli led a workshop based on her recently published dissertation, Streiten mit Gott und mit Menschen. Konfliktanalyse am Beispiel der Psalmen (Contending with God and Humans: Conflict Analysis Using the Psalms as a Case Study). During the business session, long-standing section leaders Dr. Nancy Rahn (Universities of Bern and Basel) and Dr. Nina Beerli (University of Zurich) handed over their leadership roles to Prof. Dr. Sigrid Eder and Prof. Dr. Nesina Grütter (both of the University of Fribourg). Those present acknowledged the outgoing leaders for their years of dedication to the Swiss section.

December 21, 2023, Bern:

The 2023 section meeting took place in Bern on Thursday, December 21, 2023, coinciding with Prof. Dr. Silvia Schroer’s farewell lecture. The business portion of the meeting preceded the celebratory event. Silvia Schroer—an Old Testament scholar and ESWTR member since the organization's inception—delivered an impressive lecture titled "Turning to the Earth: Religious History, Creation Theology, and Gender Studies—Revisions and Visions of a Feminist Exegete." The lecture has been published in issue 2/2024 of the journal lectio difficilior.

The ESWTR is also proud that several of its members contributed to the Festschrift honoring Silvia Schroer on her 65th birthday. The book, titled 'Trinkt von dem Wein, den ich mischte!' 'Drink of the wine which I have mingled!', was also ceremoniously presented to Silvia Schroer on December 21, 2023. It was published as Volume 303 in the OBO series and is available via open access (download here).

May 24, 2022, Bern:

In 2022, the Swiss section of the ESWTR met in Bern. Deputy contact person Nina Beerli presented theses and text excerpts from her nearly completed dissertation project on "Conflicts in the Psalms." Following a lively discussion, we addressed several agenda items during the business portion of the meeting. The afternoon was capped off by a reception and a joint visit to the book launch for Mächtig stolz.

September 10, 2021, Zurich:

On September 10, 2021, the Swiss section of the ESWTR, with financial support from the Reformed Church of Zurich, hosted a conference titled "Roots and New Beginnings: Pioneering Women in Swiss Congregations and Theology." Nearly 30 women from diverse generations and professions attended. The program was as varied as the group of participants. Dolores Zoé Bertschinger opened the day with an introductory lecture titled "Feminism—Blind in the 'Religious Eye'?" Two subsequent presentations focused on specific women: Christina Caprez shared insights into the life and work of her grandmother, Greti Caprez, while Prof. Emerita Dr. Monika Jakobs introduced Oderisia Knechtle—a figure previously unknown to most attendees. Rabbi Dr. Bea Wyler examined the role of women in theology and congregational life—past and present—from a Jewish perspective, and Dr. Doris Brodbeck explored what happened "When the Swiss Women's Movement Discovered Ecumenism." All the presentations brought women and their stories into view, highlighted structural issues through individual experiences, and opened up spaces for reflection and inquiry. The day concluded with insights into the current situation of women in theology and congregational life, presented by Dr. Tania Oldenhage and Prof. Dr. Silvia Schroer, paving the way for further discussion.

September 22, 2020, Basel:

During the business portion of the meeting, the "save the date" was announced for the symposium "Roots and New Beginnings – Pioneering Women in Swiss Congregations and Theology"; this event, organized by ESWTR Switzerland, will take place on February 19, 2021, at the University of Zurich. The main feature of the program was a city tour led by Dr. Valérie Rhein (rundumjudentum.ch), which offered fascinating insights into Jewish Basel.

November 29, 2019, Zurich:

Christa Grünenfelder was bid farewell as Deputy Liaison, and her contributions to the Swiss ESWTR section were acknowledged with thanks. Nina Beerli was elected as the new Deputy Liaison. Following the business meeting, section members took a guided tour of the Grossmünster.

May 10, 2019, Bern:

In addition to addressing various items of business and exchanging information on current projects and events, Dr. Jessica Lampe presented her postdoctoral project, titled "Religious and Spiritual Struggles & Coping in a German-speaking sample.".

November 30, 2018, Lucerne:

In cooperation with the Chair of Religious Education at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Lucerne, the Swiss section hosted a conference titled "Gender no/w! On the Current Debate Regarding Gender in Church and Theology." The speakers included Prof. Dr. Gerhard Marschütz (Vienna), Dr. Anna-Katharina Höpflinger (Munich), Prof. Dr. Silvia Schroer (Bern), Prof. Dr. Monika Jakobs (Lucerne), Dr. Andreas Heek (Bonn), and Prof. Dr. Renate Jost (Neuendettelsau). Following the conference, a jubilee celebration honoring Prof. Dr. em. Helen Schüngel-Straumann took place at the Waldstätterhof restaurant (see below).

April 20, 2018, Zurich:

In addition to the statutory business, two doctoral candidates presented their dissertation projects: Nina Beerli (Zurich) spoke about her project "Opponents and Conflicts in the Psalms," and Cristina Betz (Bern) presented her work "Stillborn: The Invisibility of Stillbirth as a Challenge for Theology." The section expressed its delight that a conference organized by the Swiss ESWTR section on the topic of "Gender" would be held on November 30, 2018, and that there would also be a jubilee to celebrate: Prof. Dr. em. Helen Schüngel-Straumann is hosting a celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of her doctoral degree.

September 8, 2017, Bern:

The outgoing contact person, Dr. Martina Bär, reported on the international conference in Vienna. The following changes in office took place: At the general meeting in Vienna, Martina Bär was elected Vice President of the European Board. The Swiss section elected Nancy Rahn as the new contact person and Christa Grünenfelder as the new deputy contact person. Martina Bär was warmly thanked for her service as contact person. The section developed ideas for a Swiss conference.

March 31, 2017, Bern:

In addition to the formal business proceedings, a session to assess the current situation was held at this meeting, led by Judith Hélène Stadler. The ideas developed during this session are to be pursued further in September.

October 28, 2016, Bern:

Dr. Sara Kipfer presented her postdoctoral thesis (Habilitation) entitled "Famine and Drought in the Prophetic Books: A Thematic Overview with Special Consideration of the Lament in Jeremiah 14* and Joel 1-2*."

Dr. Sara Kipfer presented her postdoctoral thesis, "Famine and Drought in the Prophetic Books: A Thematic Overview with Special Consideration of the Lament in Jeremiah 14* and Joel 1-2*."

April 29, 2016, Bern:

Nancy Rahn has been elected as the successor to Nicola Ottiger as Vice Contact Person. She works as a research assistant and doctoral candidate at the Institute for Biblical Studies at the Faculty of Theology, University of Bern. Valérie Rhein from the Institute for Jewish Studies at the University of Bern gave a lecture on the topic “Considerations on law and gender in Torah and rabbinic literature using the example of the liberation of women from time-bound commandments”.

Nancy Rahn is now new vice-responsible. Success with Nicola Ottinger. Lavora comes assistant and doctor presso the Institute for the Biblical Science alla facoltà teologica dell'università di Berna. Valérie Rhein from the Istituto di giudaistica dell'università di Berna has fatto un'intervento sul theme «Legge e genere nella Torah en nella letteratura rabbinica: the caso della liberazione della donna dai precetti positivi legati al tempo».

November 20, 2015, Lucerne:

Following a general exchange and a review of the 16th International Conference, which took place in Crete in the summer under the title "Sharing the Word of Hope with the World," the current debate on gender was addressed and discussed in the plenary session.

March 20, 2015, Lucerne:

Dr. Martina Bär gave a presentation on her postdoctoral thesis topic, "Theo-Logic and Urban Logic: Discourse on God in Late Modern Urban Societies."

Dr Martina Bär held a conference on the topic of her doctorate in the Etat in the domain of theological reflection and urbanity, entitled «Theo-Logic and Urban Logic. God's speech in late modern urban societies.

May 2, 2014 Lucerne:

Judith Hélène Stadler presented her dissertation project on Michal in Jewish-German literature. Martina Bär was elected as the new contact woman for the Swiss section and Sophie Kauz said goodbye as the previous contact woman.

October 25, 2013, Lucerne:

Prof. Dr. Monika Jakobs gave a review of the European Conference in Dresden. Sophie Kauz presented her doctoral dissertation project in Old Testament Studies on the topic of "Women's Spaces."

Prof. Dr. Monika Jakobs gave a review of the European Conference in Dresden. Sophie Kauz presented her doctoral dissertation project on the subject of "Women's Spaces" in the Old Testament.

Prof. Dr. Monika Jakobs reported on the European Conference in Dresden. Sophie Kauz presented her doctoral dissertation project in Old Testament Studies on the topic of space and women.

Prof. Dr. Monika Jakobs May 3, 2013, Bern:

The Swiss section of the ESWTR met in Bern for the conference "Death and Gender." Presentations included:

• Prof. Dr. Magdalene L. Frettlöh: Blessing God or Cursing God in the Face of Death? Gender-Perspective Observations and Reflections Based on Job 1:21 and 2:9
• Dr. Andreas Kessler: From the Little to the Great Death: Religious-Educational Considerations on an Eroticism of Life Before Death
• Prof. Dr. Silvia Schroer: Gender Signs of Death in the Old Testament – ​​A Project Outline for a Chapter in the Religious History of Ancient Israel
• Prof. Dr. Angela Berlis: Symbolic Dying – Interpretations of the Death of Women and Men in the History of Christianity
• Cristina Betz: Remembering Against Death? Temporality and Death in a Gender-Sensitive Culture of Remembrance
• Prof. Dr. Isabelle Noth: Pastoral care and palliative care - gender in the face of death

Sophie Kauz was elected as the new contact woman for the Swiss section and Isabelle Noth said farewell as the previous contact woman.

October 19, 2012, Lucerne:

Prof. Dr. Monika Jakobs led us through the new Lucerne University building. Monika Schumacher presented her dissertation project, "'Your fellow worker in Christ, D.D.' A Theological Study of the Life and Work of the American Journalist and Social Activist Dorothy Day (1897–1980)."

March 23, 2012, Zurich:

PD Dr. Christina aus der Au Heymann, as theological director, introduced the Center for Church Development (ZKE) (see www.kirchenentwicklung.ch). Dr. Claudia Kohli Reichenbach, Bern, gave a lecture on "Language in the Grammar of the Resurrection: Reflections on Language Capacity in the Present."

October 21, 2011 Basel:

The Swiss section congratulated Dr. Béatrice Bowald on receiving the Marga Bührig Prize for her dissertation. During the year, Dr. Nicola Ottiger took over the administrative tasks that Dr. Bowald had performed for the Swiss section for eight years. The section thanked both of them for their dedicated service. Prof. Dr. Helen Schüngel-Straumann presented the Gender Center's specialized library. Kathrin Brodbeck (University of Bern) presented her dissertation project entitled "Argumentation Strategies of Young People in Intercultural Contexts."eas of tension”.

October 29, 2010, Bern:

At this meeting, Isabelle Noth was elected as the new contact person for the Swiss section, and Monika Jakobs, the previous contact person, was thanked for her service. Prof. Silvia Schroer offered a retrospective on 10 years of feminist exegesis in "lectio difficilior." Dr. Moni Egger presented her completed dissertation project: "'Hagar, where do you come from? And where are you going?' (Genesis 16:8). Representation and Function of the Figure of Hagar in the Sarah-Abraham Cycle (Genesis 11:27–25:18)."

At this meeting, Isabelle Noth was elected as the contact person for the Swiss section, and Monika Jakob stepped down from this position. Prof. Silvia Schroer proposes a retrospective of 10 years of feminist executing in “lectio difficilior”. Dr. Moni Egger presented his project for this doctorate: “‘Hagar, where do you come from? And where are you going?' (Genesis 16:8). Representation and function of the figure Hagar in the Sara(i)-Abra(ha)m cycle (Gen 11.27–25.18)”.

This question, based on Isabelle Noth, is now the new person in contact with the Swiss section. Monika Jacobs has left this incarico. La prof. Silvia Schroer ha presentato uno sguardo retrospettivo su 10 anni di esegesi femminista nella rivista «lectio difficilior». La dr. Monika Egger ha presentato il suo progetto di dottorato appena concluso: «Hagar, woher kommen du? Und wende du ? (Gen 16:8). Darstellung und Funktion der Figur Hagar im Sara(i)-Abra(ha)m-Zyklus (Gen 11:27–25:18)».