Photo courtesy of Father Paweł Trzopek OP, École Biblique, Jerusalem.

Photo courtesy of Father Paweł Trzopek OP, École Biblique, Jerusalem.

Photo courtesy of Father Paweł Trzopek OP, École Biblique, Jerusalem.

April 2026 Update on Activities at the École Biblique

The dramatic events of recent months in the Middle East have had a significant impact on Israel—and on life, research and teaching at the École Biblique. The conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran has required heightened security measures, commercial shutdowns (at times) and frequent retreats into bomb shelters and “safe rooms.” In the midst of all that uncertainty, however, the community of the École Biblique has worked hard to maintain as “normal” a rhythm of life as possible.

Researchers have continued to work in the École’s library, courses have continued and the “Thursdays at the École” series of lectures have highlighted the work of a number of scholars:

– On January 22, Father Stéphane Milovitch gave a presentation on “Veneration and Liturgies at the Holy Sepulchre: A Bi-polar Basilica”;

– On March 5, Father Jakub Bluj looked at the book of Sirach, in a lecture titled “Metamorphoses of an Ancient Text: Different Language Forms of Sirach 37:7-15 as a Test Case”;

– On March 26, Father Martin Staszak explored the topic of “Corruption, Bribes and Gifts in the Bible and Neighbouring Cultures.”

Throughout these challenging times, the Dominican community hosted numerous special visitors in February and March, including the archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Juan José Omella (representing the bishops of Spain), the Master of the Dominican Order, Father Gerard Francisco Timoner III, and the Consul-General of France.

On February 17, Father Fabrizio Marcello successfully defended his doctorate in Sacred Scripture, with a dissertation titled “Spatializing Religion: The Rhetoric of Synagogue Space in Luke-Acts and Philo of Alexandria.”

On March 12, the community marked the anniversary of the death (in 1938) of Father Marie-Joseph Lagrange, the founder of the École, and many of the Dominicans took part in a communal prayer for peace organized by the Latin Patriarchate.

The Director of the École, Father Olivier Poquillon, has been interviewed by several French media outlets, including KTO (the French Catholic network, based in Paris). In his comments, he said that the Dominican community had no intention of evacuating their convent, or abandoning “their brothers in Christianity, their brothers in humanity” at such a difficult time. On the contrary, they were continuing to pursue their academic and religious mission as well as possible, with the adaptations mad necessary by the conflict around them. “We are continuing to pray and study, but with a slightly chopped-up schedule, since we sometimes start the liturgy in the basilica and conclude it in the shelter. There is a sense of weariness—a moral weariness, too—that is affecting the entire region. But we try to stay focused on our goal, which is to seek out Christ’s message and the signs of his presence in our lives.”

In mid-March, Dominican Father Olivier Catel published his latest book in French, Jésus et les rabbins (Jesus and the Rabbis), which is published by Éditions du Cerf in Paris.

Despite the uncertainty and worries precipitated by the conflict in their part of the world, the École Biblique ad its residents continue to go quietly and faithfully about their work, supporting and serving the local and international community through their efforts.

Members of the École community finding creative ways to continue their work despite the challenges of life in a conflict zone!

The CFEB continues to offer scholarships to Canadian graduate students and academics. In addition, we have introduced the Edward Jackman Postdoctoral Fellowship worth $25,000, granted annually. See the Scholarships page for details, or read more below.

Edward Jackman Postdoctoral Fellowship – CFEB 2026–2027

Deadline: To facilitate the awarding of the CFEB scholarships for 2026-2027, applications will be welcome at any time. A decision will be made within approximately one month of receiving an application.

January 18, 2026 – The Edward Jackman Postdoctoral Fellowship of the Canadian Friends of the École Biblique (CFEB), valued at up to $25,000, offers its recipient the opportunity to spend one, or preferably two, full academic terms at the École during the regular academic year. The fellowship will begin on October 1, 2026.

This fellowship is open to recent holders of a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies or an equivalent degree awarded by a Canadian institution. The program honours the memory of Father Edward J.R. Jackman (1940–2021), a founding member of the CFEB, fondly remembered for his commitment to the École and its scholarly mission.

For more details, see the Scholarships section.

Scholarship Information

To Make a Donation