The main activities of the Bet Tfila – Research Unit for Jewish Architecture in Europe are as follows:
- Organisation and scholarly supervision of research projects, for which funds are to be raised through research-promoting institutions.
- Expanding the inventory of Jewish ritual buildings in Europe, which includes documentary recordings of construction, current and historical photos, descriptions and archival material. This will be added to the growing inventory of buildings already documented by the Center for Jewish Art.
- Integrating the documentations into the section of Architecture of Jewish Monuments and Sites of the Jerusalem Index of Jewish Art.
- Scientific publications.
- Disseminating the documentation and research results to a broad general public through lectures, conferences and exhibitions.
- Training and promoting a young generation of scholars through scholarships, organising interdisciplinary and international study groups and joint courses, exchanging students and lecturers and supporting doctoral candidates.
Through its international and interdisciplinary approach, the Research Unit will set impulses promoting research into Jewish architecture as a part of the world shaped by the monotheistic religions. In reflecting upon these themes, similarities as well as differences between cultures and ages will be clarified. These critical comparisons will thus lead to clear conclusions and a greater mutual understanding.
