“The Fellowship opened many doors for me”

Interview with Minerva Fellow Florian Oepping

Florian Oepping has been a Minerva Fellow in Tel Aviv since May 2024. In the final phase, he joined us in looking back at the time he has spent on his fellowship in Israel.
How did it shape him? What are the most memorable experiences from the Fellowship?

Can you describe what you are doing with your Minerva Fellowship in Israel? How long have you been there and when will your fellowship end? 
I am a Hebrew Bible scholar with a special focus on the Archaeology of Israel and Judah. In my research project, I am examining the relationship between religious cult and the production of written texts. I am exploring this using the specific example of the concept of a temple library. In biblical studies, there is a prevailing view that priests were universal scholars who, in addition to their religious duties, also composed literature, particularly biblical texts. The temple library is the symbol of this idea. This assumption has never been critically questioned.

Thanks to relatively new excavations at Tel Motza (near Jerusalem), we now have direct archaeological evidence of such a temple. Archaeological finds can be incorporated into this discussion. As part of my research project, I am critically examining the arguments that are in favour of a temple library. My project began in May 2024 and is funded for two years as part of the Minerva Fellowship, so I am already in the final phase of my time at Tel Aviv University in Israel.

Are you satisfied with the results of your research project? Were there any surprising discoveries during your stay that changed the scientific course of your project?
On the one hand, I approached the project with a critical eye, but at the same time I remained open-minded. I wondered whether priests were actually capable of writing these texts. In ancient times, there were only a handful of people who were trained to do so. By distinguishing between the pre- and postexilic periods, I was able to identify differences in the status and competence of the priests.

I was able to develop and discuss this idea here in Tel Aviv, in close exchange with my host, Prof. Oded Lipschits, and other colleagues at Tel Aviv University. The Institute of Archaeology even organized a dedicated postdoctoral conference specifically to bring fellows and staff together and create a space for this kind of academic exchange.

It then became clear to me that the question cannot be answered in general terms or conclusively resolved. This research will be a lifelong passion of mine – and none of it would have been possible without the Minerva Fellowship.

You started the fellowship at a difficult time, just a few months after October 7th. What was your motivation to start the fellowship?
I have been visiting Israel regularly since 2011, initially on university field trips, to take part in archaeological excavations, and later through the 2021 Minerva Short Term Grant. 
I have made lifelong friends here. Regardless of the academic rationale behind the project, coming here was a personal priority for me. I didn’t want to stay at home whilst my friends in Israel were going through this difficult time. It was the right decision, as many friends and colleagues told me they appreciated that I had come, and especially that I stayed.

The Minerva Fellowship gave me the opportunity to stand by the side of Israeli researchers. Especially when looking abroad, where antisemitism is on the rise and Israeli academics are being disinvited from conferences, it is important to have friends. Through this fellowship, the Minerva Foundation gave me a concrete way to put that solidarity into practice. However, this solidarity doesn’t end with my fellowship. It is important to maintain contact with Israeli researchers and to speak out against antisemitism in academic discourse back home in Germany.

Israel has always been close to my heart. Through these two years in the Minerva Fellowship Programme, Tel Aviv has become a second home to me. Further collaborations are planned – the Minerva Fellowship has made this possible for me.

How did you experience the atmosphere in the country compared to your previous visits?
The atmosphere before and after 7 October is incomparable. 7 October has traumatised Israel. When I arrived, there were still hostages in the Gaza Strip, and that was ever-present. People abroad don’t realise enough how deeply 7 October has shaken the Israelis. At the same time, life goes on. People sit in cafés, go to the beach, and research is being carried out. Israelis are incredibly resilient. But the trauma is still there. Yet, I have the feeling that with the return of all the hostages, the country has slowly begun to breathe again.

How did the war situation influence your academic work and your research on a day-to-day basis?
During the wars with Iran in June 2025 and March 2026, I simply couldn’t carry on working as usual. These wars were truly all-consuming. There was a constant sense of uncertainty; you had to be on high alert all the time. It was a difficult time. However, the team of the Minerva Foundation was always there, especially during these times.

What impact did your time in Israel have on your personal attitudes, perspectives in life etc.? How would you describe your personal development?
I knew in the back of my mind that my belongings were safely stored in Germany. I could go back. I realised that as long as I looked after myself, everything would be fine. That’s not the case for Israelis. Their whole existence is in danger. However, they took a more relaxed approach to the situation than I first did. I was always prepared for the worst case.

And what really impressed me was how people looked after one another. If someone was crying, they were given a hug. People were there for each other, and that gave me strength.

My time in Israel has made me more relaxed. My perspectives and priorities have changed. I adopted the Israeli attitude and learnt to cope with the situation. I’ve grown a lot here.

Could you tell us a nice anecdote and a rather difficult anecdote about your Minerva fellowship?
The opportunities offered to me through the Minerva Fellowship were unique. The Minerva Fellows were invited by the German Embassy in Tel Aviv. We were invited to Berlin, to the Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, for the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of German-Israeli diplomatic relations.

The fellowship through the Minerva Foundation opened many doors for me. At the Weizmann Institute, the fellows had the opportunity to meet the German Ambassador, Steffen Seibert. The Minerva Fellows also attended the opening of the Max Planck Office in Jerusalem and were able to meet the Israeli President, Isaac Herzog.

I started my fellowship during a time full of uncertainties and conflicts. Therefore, I experienced plenty of difficult situations. However, the most difficult situation for me was meeting the family of my new boyfriend. I was so nervous. In the end, it was actually very lovely to meet them, and they were very friendly and welcoming. 

What are your plans after the Minerva Fellowship time? How did the fellowship help you advancing your scientific career?
I am starting a postdoctoral position at the University of Göttingen. I already have some projects and ideas in mind that I would like to develop there. Cooperations with Israeli researchers and institutions will also be part of that. In addition, a number of collaborative projects, which were initiated during my time as a Minerva Fellow, are still ongoing. The Tel Moza Expedition Project, directed by Prof. Oded Lipschits and Dr Shua Kisilevitz, is one of them: Osnabrück University and Tel Aviv University secured funding for the scientific analysis and publication from the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation. I am also collaborating with Prof. Anselm Hagedorn, Prof. Sarah Ross, Dr Cordula Dittmer, and Dr Daniel Lorenz on the project "Jewish Heritage Community Resilience: Interdependencies between Cultural Heritage and Resilience in Crises, Wars and Disasters", which forms part of the German Research Foundation's (DFG) priority programme "Jewish Cultural Heritage". I very much look forward to continuing and expanding these collaborations in the years ahead. The Minerva Fellowship has been an incredible help in establishing these long-term academic collaborations for the future.

What advice would you give to new German fellowship holders in Israel?
Just go! Living and carrying out academic work here is possible even during difficult times. The exchange of ideas is too important to pay attention to the sceptics. You have to experience Israel to really understand it. And there is so much more to experience: the food is amazing, the weather is great and people are incredible. It’s good to remember that the situation seemed more dangerous than it actually feels like within the country. The country is extremely well prepared for wartime situations. There is an excellent warning system, and good infrastructure. People are well prepared. 

Looking back at the time of the Minerva Fellowship, how would you summarize it in one sentence?
One sentence isn't enough to capture all the wonderful experiences I've had – it was simply a great time!