Limmud Oz 2021: Full Schedule

Learn and laugh with us this June – BOOK TICKETS HERE!
Limmud After Dark | Sunday 13 June @Moriah College
Limmud All Day | Monday 14 June @Roundhouse UNSW

All sessions are available to Limmud Oz Sydney participants. To see which sessions are available to Limmud Online participants, click here.

Start your LIMMUD OZ + NZ experience early by connecting to New Zealand sessions from Sunday 7am-3pm AEST. To see which New Zealand sessions are available online, click here.

Many of this year’s presenters have books available online. To see which presenters’ books are available, click here.

4:30pm AEST

Doors open

Sunday June 13, 2021 4:30pm - 5:00pm AEST

5:00pm AEST

A Limmud Oz musical journey from Sepharad to Brooklyn

PERFORMANCE | Join us for an uplifting opening to Limmud Oz 2021, with two musical acts that will transport you from Sepharad to Brooklyn.

Kim Cunio and Heather Lee return to Limmud Oz after many years to perform their historically informed musically adventurous Sephardi and Mizrahi repertoire. Kim and Heather are a unique musical duo. Heather is an award winning opera singer whose vocal power and control are amazing to behold, while Kim is a composer who has researched and brought back to life sacred and traditional music from around the world. They are transformative and transfixing in performance.

Brooklyn Bear is an earthy and melodious duo whose music spans intimate folk, dreamy indie pop and world music experiences. As voices intertwine and instruments shimmer, they lead you on a journey to an oak cottage fireplace, welcoming you to the warm, flickering embrace of their divine sounds. Kick back, listen, love…

Presenters

Kim Cunio

Dr Kim Cunio is a composer, music historian, instrumentalist and singer who is equally at home in reconstructive, contemporary & classical music forms. Kim lectures at the Australian National University and supervises students to Doctorate level as well as being active as a music... Read More →

Heather Lee

Heather Lee has performed at the White House, United Nations and the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and has been the recorded voice for major events including the Asian Games and Winter Olympics. With an ability to sing in many languages and styles, Heather has focused on both sacred traditional... Read More →

Brooklyn Bear

Aliza Waxman

Aliza Waxman is a Sydney born and raised singer/songwriter. Channeling the greats such as Joni Mitchell and Carole King, Aliza's angelic voice has you mesmerised from the first note. You will regularly find her performing at Emanuel Synagogue's Shabbat Live service on Friday nights... Read More →

Miron Williams

Miron Williams is an Israeli musician. Miron first picked up a guitar at the tender age of 5, and after developing a love of music he honed in on his favourite genres of country and blues. He and Aliza Waxman team up to form Brooklyn Bear.

Sunday June 13, 2021 5:00pm - 6:00pm AEST
Auditorium

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? Yes
Session format Performance
Teen friendly? Yes

6:05pm AEST

Borat ruined my life

COMEDY | After the release of Borat (2006), the boys at Robyn's school stopped calling her a 'frigid lesbian' – we can assume because of her short hair, and lack of romantic interest towards them – and decided instead to start calling her 'dirty Jew'. As the only Jewish student at her school, Robyn took it upon herself to educate those around her. Attempting to dispel negative stereotypes around Jewish culture, Robyn embarked on a journey that would last the rest of her secondary school career: Educating the Gentiles. Join comedian Robyn Reynolds for a hilarious look at how to combat negative Jewish stereotypes, and why they exist in the first place. As she told her bullies at 15: "Actually, Jews have traditionally kept very good personal hygiene."

Presenters

Robyn Reynolds

Robyn Reynolds (UK) is an award-nominated comedian. Handpicked for the Emerging Artist Hub at Sydney Fringe Festival, her sold-out debut was then shortlisted for Best Comedy. "Robyn Reynolds shone in her segment, serving punchlines hard and fast in her fresh brand of witty and energetic... Read More →

Sunday June 13, 2021 6:05pm - 7:00pm AEST
Drama Theatre

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Performance

6:05pm AEST

War and peace in the Middle East in 2021

In this new reality it seems that basic tenets of the Middle East have changed, including establishing relations with Israel. What is the link between the Iranian regime, the Abraham accords and the youth population of the Middle East? There are fundamental connecting reasons between the violence on the Temple Mount, the rocket fire into Israel, the riots in mixed Israeli cities and the new relations with the Gulf countries, Sudan and Morocco. This session will discuss driving forces that are impacting war and peace in the region.

Presenters

Miri Eisin

Miri Eisin is an expert in geopolitics in the Middle East, security issues, and conflicting narratives in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A retired Colonel in the Israel Defense Forces, she served over 20 years in Military Intelligence before being appointed as the first female... Read More →

Sunday June 13, 2021 6:05pm - 7:00pm AEST
Auditorium

Everything Israel

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

6:05pm AEST

The Holocaust as an Australian story

The session will focus on the connections between the Australian population and the Holocaust. I will focus mainly on family and community networks that existed between recent Jewish immigrants in Australia, and their relatives who remained in Nazi Europe during the Holocaust. I aim to show that Australia and its population were part of the global Holocaust geography. Almost 9,000 Jewish refugees arrived in Australia before the war, but almost all of them left behind in Europe close family relatives, in some cases even their spouses, husbands, or children. I will discuss how these recent migrants attempted to use family connections to bring their relatives to Australia, or support them in other ways when the immigration routes closed. I will demonstrate that there was a community in Australia that was deeply involved in the Holocaust, and argue that the Holocaust was a part of our history.

Presenters

Jan Lanicek

Jan Lanicek is a Senior Lecturer in European and Jewish History at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. He has published widely on the Holocaust in Central and Eastern Europe. In 2021 he is a Fellow in the State Library of NSW.

Sunday June 13, 2021 6:05pm - 7:00pm AEST
Classroom 3

History and memory

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

6:05pm AEST

A tale of three cities: the queer version

Three gay women. Born in the '90s. Brought up in Bondi's Jewish community. Raised and educated in the Orthodox bubble. With such similar upbringings, but now spread out in Jerusalem, London and... Darlington, we will discuss the similarities and nuances of being young, gay and frum in three communities across the world.

Moderators

Oli Davidson

A Jewish activist at work, a Queer activist at shul, and a Feminist activist in LGBT+ spaces, Oli is always trying to find harmony in her identities. She co-founded Laviot for Queer Jewish women and non-binary people in London, where she lives with her sun-starved Australian fian... Read More →

Presenters

Liora Baram

Shoshana Gottlieb

Shoshana is a writer and playlist maker currently studying Jewish Education at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. She spends her time watching and discussing film and television, and thinking about which Biblical stories should be adapted for the big screen. Her... Read More →

Galit Taub

Galit Taub is a graduate of Moriah College and UNSW medical student. She previously studied at Midreshet Harova and Pardes in Jerusalem. She currently serves on the JBD Social Justice Committee, and volunteers with Youth HEAR and Limmud Oz. She is an active member of Or Chadash Synagogue... Read More →

Sunday June 13, 2021 6:05pm - 7:00pm AEST
Classroom 1

Society and politics

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Panel
Teen friendly? Yes

6:05pm AEST

The misunderstood Rabbi Sacks: his life and legacy

We will explore the background, thought and religious policy positions of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, and consider where his theological and social perspectives have been widely misunderstood. An analysis of Rabbi Sacks’ theological influences, his writings and his rulings as Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth will reveal that he was a much more traditional, conservative and cautious figure than is often appreciated. It will also help answer why this misunderstanding has taken place. This will have implications for Rabbi Sacks’ legacy and the part his ideas will play in the future of Orthodoxy.

Presenters

Benjamin Elton

Benjamin Elton is from Manchester and after Cambridge and London Universities spent seven years in the British Civil Service. He trained for the Rabbinate in New York and has been the Chief Minister of The Great Synagogue since 2015. He and his wife Hinda have two children, Lizzie... Read More →

Sunday June 13, 2021 6:05pm - 7:00pm AEST
Classroom 2

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

7:00pm AEST

Dinner available for purchase

Sunday June 13, 2021 7:00pm - 7:30pm AEST

7:30pm AEST

Recent representations of Jews on screen: Shtisel and Unorthodox

The past year has marked the release of two programs that depict Jews on screen to wide audiences via streaming: the Netflix miniseries, Unorthodox (2020) and the third season of the Israeli drama television series, Shtisel (2021). Both shows bring Haredi/Ultra Orthodox Jews into the mainstream and offer portrayals of members of Hasidic enclaves to tell compelling stories. Using clips and analysis of the themes of each show combined with media responses, this session will investigate how Jews are being represented in these two shows.

Presenters

Rebecca Margolis

Professor Rebecca Margolis is the Director and Pratt Foundation Chair of Jewish Civilisation at the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University. She is a scholar of Jewish migration and cultural history with a focus on the transmission and revitalisation of Yiddish... Read More →

Sunday June 13, 2021 7:30pm - 8:25pm AEST
Drama Theatre

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

7:30pm AEST

The spiritual guide to Kiddush Club: a Limmud whisky masterclass

WORKSHOP | Join whisky specialist Hymie Eisman for a whisky journey around the world. In this masterclass, you will learn the difference between a Scotch and a Bourbon, an Irish and an Islay, and even get a taste of kosher controversy! Come prepared for some serious discussion on the intricacies of the whisky palate. Not for the impatient of heart!

This session has limited spots. Please sign up at the registration desk.

Presenters

Hymie Eisman

Hymie Eisman is a whisky and wine specialist with over a decade experience in the industry. He helped found Whisky Live Australia, the country’s biggest annual whisky show. A seasoned whisky presenter, he is passionate about educating new and seasoned whisky drinkers alike. He currently... Read More →

Sunday June 13, 2021 7:30pm - 8:25pm AEST
Classroom 3

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Workshop

7:30pm AEST

Child desire: Jewish fertility, birth control and reproduction of the Jews

Have you ever thought about how many children you want to have? Do you regret that you had too many children or too few? Did you know Jews led the world in controlling births and keeping their families small? But there is one Jewish group that's going against the trend of small families. Come and find out which Jews have child desire and which Jews do not and why.

Presenters

Viva Hammer

Viva was in the United States Congress during their recent tax reform. She has also been a columnist for the Jerusalem Post, a Sunday School teacher, a homeschooling mom, and a 400m track runner.

Sunday June 13, 2021 7:30pm - 8:25pm AEST
Classroom 1

Mind body and soul

Delivery method In person
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

7:30pm AEST

Crossroads21: what do Australians really think about Jewish people and Israel?

In this session Plus61J Media shares the recently released findings from Crossroads21 – the biggest survey of Australian attitudes to Jewish people, antisemitism and Israel in 35 years. This landmark survey, involving nearly 3500 Australians, shows low levels of antisemitism, a neutral stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, limited knowledge of the Holocaust but a surprising level of support for banning of Nazi symbols. These findings and their implications will also be the subject of a panel discussion.

Moderators

Michael Visontay

Michael Visontay is Editor of Plus61J. He has worked as a journalist and editor for more than 30 years. Michael is the author of several books, including 'Who Gave You Permission?', co-authored with child sexual abuse advocate Manny Waks, and 'Welcome to Wanderland: Western Sydney... Read More →

Presenters

Sharon Berger

Sharon is the program manager at NIF Australia. She writes a monthly opinion column for Plus 61J Media. A former journalist, Sharon holds a BA (Hons) from the University of California Berkeley and an M.Phil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies from St. Antony’s College, Oxford.

Robert Goot

Robert Goot is a barrister who has made a lifelong contribution of communal service in the Jewish community in Australia and overseas. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1988 and made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2020. He was named in the ‘Algemeiner top... Read More →

Sunday June 13, 2021 7:30pm - 8:25pm AEST
Classroom 2

Society and politics

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Panel
Teen friendly? Yes

7:30pm AEST

Brene Brown meets Rabbi Yochanan: empathy and vulnerability in the Talmud

Brene Brown is a self described researcher and storyteller, blogger and podcaster. Rabbi Yochanan is a famous sage of the Talmud renowned for his physical beauty and healing powers. In this session we will imagine a conversation between these two personalities as they share their wisdom about courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy.

Presenters

Judith Levitan

Judith Levitan is a lawyer with over 15 years experience in the field of social justice. She is a member of the Jewish Alliance Against Family Violence, runs women’s tefillah services and teaches bat mitzvah. She was recently conferred rabbinic ordination (smicha) from Yeshivat... Read More →

Brene Brown and R Yochanan docx

Sunday June 13, 2021 7:30pm - 8:25pm AEST
Auditorium

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method In person
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

8:35pm AEST

We miss Arik Einstein, Israeli rock legend

Arik Einstein was one of the few instances where Israelis were unanimous: he was the embodiment of goodness and perfection in all fields of Israeli Art. As a singer/composer he was the most popular in Israel's history; as an actor, he took part in key productions in television and cinema; he was instrumental in bringing to mainstream a new generation of musicians and composers. Arik Einstein even held for many years the country's record for high jump! Our session will be dedicated to Arik's life, family, discussion of some of his compositions and songs he sang, and his enduring importance to Israeli culture. Of course, we will also watch him singing, just for us.

Presenters

Jayme Akstein

An engineer by profession, the Brazilian-born, Israeli-Australian Jayme is a specialist in Jewish and Israeli cultures. He has presented the heroic history of the Israeli Folk Dance movement to Limmud Oz audiences and is looking forward to presenting interesting stories of Israel... Read More →

Sunday June 13, 2021 8:35pm - 9:30pm AEST
Classroom 3

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

8:35pm AEST

Finding the positive: heartwarming stories of daily life in Israel

Israel is much more than security, diplomacy, and politics. It’s much more than what you hear about in the news. Israel is its people living daily life: giving, helping, behaving like family. Passengers who help a woman who’s gone into labor aboard a bus; a vendor at a Jerusalem marketplace who gives a job to a man begging for charity. After decades of reporting the hard news in Israel, join David as he adds a critical dimension to his stories: the goodness that can be experienced in the Jewish state despite any of the security, political, and diplomatic problems that might confront the country. David continues to find the wit, charm, appreciation, and down-to-earth love for one another which is the true story of the State of Israel.

Presenters

David Jablinowitz

David Jablinowitz moved to Israel from New York in 1981, coming straight out of college and starting at Kol Yisrael (Voice of Israel) public radio almost immediately. He has interviewed seven prime ministers: Shamir, Rabin, Peres, Barak, Sharon, Olmert, and Netanyahu, conducted two... Read More →

Sunday June 13, 2021 8:35pm - 9:30pm AEST
Drama Theatre

Everything Israel

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

8:35pm AEST

Conspiracy theories, antisemitism and the far-right: current and historical perspectives

We are not strangers to right-wing antisemitism here in Australia. Nazi sympathisers were active on these shores before WWII, war criminals came here after the Holocaust, and an Australian National Socialist Network exists today. Today, right-wing antisemites peddle conspiracy theories about Jewish influence over just about everything. But what is the connection between a yellow star and the COVID-19 vaccination? What do Jews have to do with Flat Earth theory? Welcome to a deep dive into the racial politics and antisemitism of the far-right in 2021. The internet has turbocharged these conspiracy theories and COVID-19 has resuscitated long-held white supremacist postulations about Jews as state enemies. Join historian Lynne Swarts, political staffer Liam O'Callaghan and communal leader Jeremy Jones for an examination of the long and disturbing history of antisemitic tropes, and their usage today.

Moderators

Sam Koslowski

Sam is the co-founder of The Daily Aus - a social-first media company with a daily audience of over 100,000 millennials. Before being a full-time founder, he was a corporate lawyer at one of Australia's top firms. He's worked in social media innovation, as a refugee advocate, and... Read More →

Presenters

Jeremy Jones

Speaker, writer, researcher, photographer and South Sydney Rabbitohs tragic. Having held the most senior elected and professional positions in the Australian Jewish community, the first Jewish recipient of the Australian Human Rights Medal and People of Australia Ambassador, holds... Read More →

Liam O'Callaghan

Liam is the current Chair of the Social Justice Committee of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and a current advisor and speechwriter to a Federal Labor Senator. He has always been intrigued by conspiracy theories from what happened at the Dyatlov Pass to who is actually behind QA... Read More →

Lynne Swarts

Dr. Lynne Swarts is a cultural and intellectual historian, and a Research Affiliate in the History Department, University of Sydney and Research Associate, UTS. Her book, Gender, Orientalism and the Jewish Nation: Women in the Work of Ephraim Moses Lilien was first published by Bloomsbury... Read More →

Sunday June 13, 2021 8:35pm - 9:30pm AEST
Auditorium

Society and politics

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Panel
Teen friendly? Yes

8:45am AEST

Doors open – registration & coffee

Monday June 14, 2021 8:45am - 9:30am AEST

9:30am AEST

A surprising history of six Hebrew letters: ת פּ ﬤ ד ג ב

Half the world's population uses variants of the Alphabet, developed by Hebrew-Canaanites languages, which has made it possible for ordinary people to learn to write, each letter representing a particular sound. That common heritage is evident from the order of the letters in these scripts. The 3rd letter of the Hebrew Alphabet is Gimmel, equivalent to Greek Gamma; then why is the 3rd letter of English a “C”, not a “G”? If each letter represented a specific sound, why do the 6 Hebrew letters listed above have variant forms, with or without a daghesh, a dot in the middle of the letter? Jewish communities have had different traditions pronouncing the variants of these letters, according to whether or not they are written with a daghesh: Ashkenazi communities distinguish between the pronunciation of בּ and ב, Sephardi communities don't. Sephardi communities differentiated between גּ and ג, but Ashkenazis didn't. Let's learn together: why is it so?

Presenters

Myer Samra

Myer is a specialist accredited lawyer, working in child protection. He holds a PhD in Anthropology for work on Sephardi Jews in Australia, and formerly edited the Australian Journal of Jewish Studies. Myer has researched the Benei Menashe of North-East India and has a strong interest... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 9:30am - 10:30am AEST
Room 2

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

9:30am AEST

The battle of Marrickville BDS: ten years on

Ten years ago Marrickville Council enacted, then four months later overturned, a Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions (BDS) policy to boycott all things Israeli. It was an epic story, with front page headlines around the country and a cast of characters from far and wide – but especially from Sydney’s Inner West. So who weighed in for and against Marrickville BDS and what were their motivations? With an overwhelming original vote of 10 in favour and 2 against, how was the Council persuaded to reverse its decision? The history is fascinating and emotionally charged, with numerous competing narratives. Implications have been far-reaching but complex. There are lessons to be learned for the Jewish community, leaders and political parties, social change advocates and grassroots organisers, to name a few. This conversational session will feature key participants from the time, and a chance for reflection and discussion as well as Q&A.

Moderators

Shirli Kirschner

Shirli is a consultant providing strategy and dispute resolution services. She is a Director of Resolve Advisors. She has won a number of awards for dispute resolution and is listed in Who’s Who International for commercial mediation. Shirli is a Senior Visiting Fellow at UNSW... Read More →

Presenters

Janet Kossy

Janet Kossy is a long-standing member of the Inner West Chavurah and Jewish Voices for Peace and Justice (NSW). She is co-founder of Partners for Peace: Australian Jews and Palestinians Building Peace. Her professional background is in education and counselling; these days she is... Read More →

Yair Miller

Yair Miller OAM is CEO of Keren Hayesod - UIA Australia, Past President NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and Vice President Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ). He served in these positions during the Marrickville BDS campaign. He has served on numerous community boards, currently... Read More →

Uri Windt

Uri Windt is a long-standing member of the Inner West Chavurah, a former Honorary Secretary and Executive member of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and a former Board member of Shalom. And a current participant in the Jewish/Uniting Church Dialogue Group. He is the publisher of Plus61J... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 9:30am - 10:30am AEST
Room 4

Everything Israel

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Panel
Teen friendly? Yes

9:30am AEST

193 years of Hobart's Jewish community

The Hobart Synagogue Digital Archive was created over the COVID lockdown in 2020. It contains over 1700 digitised records spanning 1828 to the present, telling the story of Hobart Judaism. The session will give a high level overview of how the archive was created, which will hopefully inspire others to share their community's history. I will dive into some of the more interesting themes of Hobart Jewry, including our almost ever present struggle to maintain the community. There will also be some highlights featuring special events throughout our history, and provocative lowlights such as when non-British subjects were banned from joining the congregation.

Presenters

Jeff Schneider

Jeff is the president of the Hobart Hebrew Congregation. During the COVID lockdown in 2020 he created a digital archive for the Hobart Synagogue. Currently there are over 1700 records detailing the history of Judaism in Hobart. Jeff is a Collections Specialist with a background in... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 9:30am - 10:30am AEST
Room 5

History and memory

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

9:30am AEST

Antisemitism in France: a historical perspective

The news coming of rising antisemitism in France in the past few years has sparked concern all over the world. In this lecture, we will discuss the multifaceted historical roots of the current crisis.

Presenters

Lisa Leff

Lisa Moses Leff is Professor of History at American University and Director of the Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Her research focuses on French Jewish history since the Revolution. She is the author of Sacred Bonds of Solidarity... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 9:30am - 10:30am AEST
Room 6

History and memory

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

9:30am AEST

Kabbalah yoga: angels and movement

WORKSHOP | Learn, move and be inspired! In this session we will learn about the angels in the Jewish mystical text, the Zohar, "Book of Enlightenment" and then integrate those teachings into movement and yoga postures. The 4 angels are described as Michael to our right – the angel of Love; Gavriel to our left – the angel of Strength; Uriel in front of us – the angel of Light; Raphael behind us – the angel of Healing. This prayer/chant lends itself to movement in such a practical way. Join Orna Triguboff, a kabbalah scholar and Leora Krowitz, a yoga teacher and dancer, for this unique experience based on the bedtime Shema prayer. You will learn a set of movements/postures that you can use when you like, to de-stress, stretch and feel good.

Presenters

Leora Krowitz

Leora Krowitz is a Yoga and Meditation teacher. She specialises in Japanese Yoga and is also a Shiatsu and Kinesiology practitioner. She has taught Kabbalah Yoga with Dr. Orna Triguboff in Israel, on the Neshama Life 10-day Kabbalah Tour of Israel and at workshops in Australia.

Orna Triguboff

Rabbi Dr. Orna Triguboff holds a PhD from the University of Sydney, specialising in angels in Jewish texts. She is a yoga and meditation teacher, facilitating courses in Kabbalah text, meditation and mindfulness. She leads 10 day spiritual tours to Israel and is founder of Neshama... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 9:30am - 10:30am AEST
Collab Space 1

Mind body and soul

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Workshop

9:30am AEST

How and why Jews and Christians read Scripture differently

The Jewish Tanakh and the Christian Old Testament differ in translation, punctuation, definitions, theology, emphasis and even canonical order. How and why do Jews and Christians hold different interpretations of Isaiah 7.14 (pregnant woman or virginal conception), Isaiah's "suffering servant," the Garden of Eden ("original sin" or "original opportunity"), views of the land of Israel, the role of Law, and Psalm 22? Why do our interpretive differences matter so much?

Presenters

Amy-Jill Levine

The first Jew to teach New Testament at Rome’s Pontifical Biblical Institute, AJ Levine is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies and Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt. Her books include The Jewish Annotated New Testament and The Bible... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 9:30am - 10:30am AEST
Club Bar

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

10:45am AEST

Jewish gardening 101

In this introduction to the history of Agricultural Judaism, we'll transform land, culture and traditions into a modern day expression of ancient concepts and practices. I'll be sharing what Jewish Urban farming is and the values that shape it.

Presenters

Mitch Burnie

Mitch is the Director of Compost and Farm manager of Adamama, Australia's only Jewish Urban Farm. He is cultivating soil and soil through workshops, food based festivals, pickling and education. All on a small patch of land behind some tennis courts.

Monday June 14, 2021 10:45am - 11:45am AEST
Room 3

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

10:45am AEST

Kosher Theatresports

WORKSHOP | A quickfire interactive introduction to Theatresports – and all that shtick! Geoff explains, trains and wrangles participants into a fun session of improvised theatre games – with a Yiddishe tvist... This introductory workshop will get everyone involved and performing for each other… poems, scenes, stories, songs… maybe a kosher comic opera! No experience needed. Chutzpah more important than talent!

Presenters

Geoff Sirmai

Actor, comedian, author, former TV presenter, now performing arts publicist, Geoff has performed on almost every stage and concert platform in Sydney, including many iconic Jewish roles on stage and screen. A founder of Theatresports (and its spin-off Kosher Theatresports), his star... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 10:45am - 11:45am AEST
Uni Bar

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Workshop
Teen friendly? Yes

10:45am AEST

How valuable is the ‘Israel experience’ to forming Jewish identity?

Programs like Masa Israel Journey, Taglit Birthright Israel and Y2i offer the ‘Israel experience’ to young adults. These trips are key in helping to shape and consolidate Jewish identity and an attachment to Israel. In this session, hear from three Australians for whom their time in Israel was a transformative experience and how that experience has shaped what they've done since returning.

Presenters

Lara Czysnok

In 2018, at the age of 19, Lara Czysnok participated in a Taglit Birthright trip to Israel. Upon her return she threw herself into Jewish communal life and has since become a president of AUJS, Susan Wakil Fellow and is currently a deputy at the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies.

Ally Karpin

Ally Karpin is studying a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) in criminology and criminal justice at the University of New South Wales. She works at the Sydney Friendship Circle, which is a non-for-profit organisation that puts programs together for people living with disabilities... Read More →

Sean Torban

Sean Torban is a 21-year-old who is active in the community. After attending Kangarusski Birthright 2018, he created his own initiative, Talking Holocaust, with support from Limmud FSU. Talking Holocaust is an initiative that focuses on creating intergenerational discussion around... Read More →

Amelia Loewensohn

At the age of 14, Amelia was told by her grandmother that she had Jewish roots. Yearning to explore her Jewish identity, Amelia signed up to the Yahel Social Change fellowship, an immersive 9 month Masa Israel program that puts fellows at the forefront of social issues facing all... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 10:45am - 11:45am AEST
Collab Space 1

Everything Israel

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Panel
Teen friendly? Yes

10:45am AEST

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict salad: contested foods in the Middle East

What do you call a Middle Eastern salad made of finely chopped cucumbers, tomatoes and onions, with lemon and olive oil dressing? Well, it depends who you ask. Traditionally called "Arab Salad", it's now widely known as "Israeli Salad" and the debate is fierce! From hummus and tahini, which are clearly Arab but were spread around the world by Israeli companies, to Muslims in East Jerusalem breaking the Ramadan fast with a hot Ashkenazi challah, purchased from their Jewish neighbors. And what does a baguette with schnitzel have to do with it?! In this session we will learn about different Israeli and Arab foods and dive into what they can teach us about each society. And of course, every food we mention will be accompanied by a simple recipe!

Presenters

Sefi Shalam

Sefi serves as the Jewish Agency's Shaliach to the Netzer Youth Movement and the Progressive Jewish Community in Melbourne. He has spent his career in youth engagement, media and international relations, including work in diplomacy and the academic world.

Monday June 14, 2021 10:45am - 11:45am AEST
Room 4

Everything Israel

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

10:45am AEST

Help me find my Jewish ancestry

WORKSHOP | This workshop will help people wanting to start to explore their Jewish ancestry, and help those who are stuck in their research. We will present examples of clues that help us know where to begin, and how to proceed, in getting to know our own family histories. Disclaimer: genealogy can become addictive!

Presenters

Dani Haski

Dani Haski has been actively involved with AJGS for over 15 years. Her DNA indicates Ashkenazi, Sephardi and Mizrahi heritage. Researching her own family has taken her to Poland, Ukraine, Egypt and Melbourne, where she has unearthed long hidden family secrets and dined with newly... Read More →

Barbara Simon

The Australian Jewish Genealogical Society AJGS was established 30 years ago. Its mission to encourage and assist those with Jewish Ancestry to research their family histories. Our Society has a dedicated group of researchers who love helping people to find out about their past. Current... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 10:45am - 11:45am AEST
Room 7

History and memory

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Workshop

10:45am AEST

Secret Jews in Tudor England

What does it mean to live as a Jew, but need to appear as a practicing Christian? In 1290, the Jews were expelled from England by Edward I – but what about those who secretly stayed? This session will explore the situation of Jews in Medieval England, and how the Spanish Inquisition and the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 brought about pressure on the English monarchs to consider readmitting the Jews into England, and later into her colonies. We will discuss Juan Luis Vives: his family background, his philosophies, and the reasons he fled Spain in 1509 never to return.

Presenters

Tim Darcy Ellis

Tim Darcy Ellis (BA, BSc, MHSc) is a writer, physiotherapy business owner, and formerly a professional archaeologist. He currently works in his own business, Excel Physiotherapy and Wellness and writes historical fiction part-time. Tim studied at University in York and London before... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 10:45am - 11:45am AEST
Room 8

History and memory

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

10:45am AEST

Is Judaism really sex positive?

PODCAST + Q&A | Many of us have grown up with the idea that in, contrast to many other religions, Judaism is sex positive. And this is true. And it is also not true. To suggest that Judaism has one approach to sex is to minimise its richness and complexity. So, join Rabbi Dov Linzer and Dr. Bat Sheva Marcus as they uncover, explore and navigate the intricacy of what Judaism really has to say about sex. They will use some fun texts, your questions, and their usual irreverent banter to open up a long overdue conversation. And they will be taking questions from the audience! Join us for this live recording of the extremely popular The Joy of Text Podcast that has been at the forefront of opening up discussions on Judaism and sexuality.

Moderators

Goldie Markovits

Goldie has learned and taught Torah in Sydney, Israel, and the US. She has a passion for philanthropy and learning, with a deep interest in classic Jewish text and Hasidic philosophy. Although she works in real estate, she has taught Jewish Studies in Sydney and was a Summer Fellow... Read More →

Presenters

Dov Linzer

Rabbi Dov Linzer is the President and Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York. Rabbi Linzer has been a leading rabbinic voice in the Modern Orthodox community for over 25 years. He has published over 100 teshuvot (responsa) and scholarly Torah articles, and answers hundreds... Read More →

Bat Sheva Marcus

Dubbed the Orthodox Sex Guru by the New York Times, Dr Bat Sheva Marcus is the Director of Maze Women’s Sexual Health, the largest women’s sexual health centre in the US. She is co-host of the popular podcast The Joy of Text: on Judaism and Sexuality and her book Sex Points was... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 10:45am - 11:45am AEST
Club Bar

Mind body and soul

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Podcast

10:45am AEST

Thriving, adapting and surviving during COVID-19 in Australia (and abroad)

How and why do people maintain their mental well-being and comply with protective behaviours during COVID-19 in Australia and abroad? In this talk, I will discuss the fascinated findings of three large studies done at three critical points of pandemic. We focused on a ‘human’ aspect – on behaviours, attitudes, resilience, adaptability, coping mechanisms, personality, relationship with (fake) news, addressing survival and thriving during the pandemic.

Presenters

Sabina Kleitman

Associate Professor Sabina Kleitman’s (Sydney University) expertise lie in the psychology of decision-making. She engages strategically with various industry partners, including the Australian Defence, with funded collaborative research programs. Sabina has produced 58 publications... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 10:45am - 11:45am AEST
Room 2

Mind body and soul

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

10:45am AEST

Jesus and Judaism: the connection matters

Jesus of Nazareth is often seen as rejecting a Judaism incorrectly characterised as legalistic, elitist, obsessed with ritual purity, misogynistic, vengeful, and xenophobic. Understanding Jesus in his Jewish context corrects false stereotypes, brings new meaning to his parables, politics, and piety, and offers a new path for Jewish-Christian relations.

Presenters

Amy-Jill Levine

Monday June 14, 2021 10:45am - 11:45am AEST
Room 5

Society and politics

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

10:45am AEST

Masks and morality: the ethics of Covid

In this session, we will explore some of the central issues of "Pandethics" in our time. Should mask wearing and vaccinations be compulsory or voluntary? Should governments legally enforce such measures? Should we scold others (neighbours and strangers) if we see they are not wearing a mask? Do we in fact have a social responsibility to do so, or is it "none of our business"? What is the larger relationship between individual freedom and the public good? Should individuals have the right to opt out of receiving a Covid vaccine? Or should there be a one size fits all policy, regardless of whether or not you agree with the rules? On a deeper level, what is the place of individual liberty in a democratic society? We will analyse these issues from both a Jewish and general philosophical point of view. Bring your opinions and we'll search for the truth together.

Presenters

Elliott Malamet

Dr. Elliott Malamet taught English Literature and Jewish Philosophy in Canadian universities for 25 years before making aliyah with his family in 2013. He currently lectures at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and teaches Jewish ethics and philosophy at various other institutions... Read More →

The Ethics of Covid Of Masks and Morals docx

Monday June 14, 2021 10:45am - 11:45am AEST
Room 6

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

12:00pm AEST

The Watermill: cultural resistance, and the displacement and belonging of survival

Arnold Zable will speak of the varied characters that inhabit his latest book, The Watermill, continuing his long-time exploration of themes of displacement and belonging, and the impact of trauma and historical upheaval on the lives of ordinary people. The quartet of stories is set in locations ranging from remote provinces in China and Cambodia, to Eastern Europe and Indigenous Australia. Amongst them is ‘The Republic of the Stateless’, the story of Sonia Lizaron, a modest woman who lived out her final years in Melbourne’s seaside suburb of Elwood, and became the surrogate grandmother of Arnold’s own son. Trained in pre-war Lodz in the art of Yiddish cabaret, she co-founded the remarkable ‘Katzet’ theatre in Bergen-Belsen Displaced Persons camp – a troupe which embarked on a tour of Europe, employing their art as an act of resistance, protest, and healing.

Presenters

Arnold Zable

Arnold Zable is an acclaimed writer, novelist, storyteller and human rights advocate, and the recipient of the 2021 Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature. His books include Jewels and Ashes, Café Scheherazade, Scraps of Heaven, Sea of Many Returns, The Fig... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm AEST
Room 7

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

12:00pm AEST

The "A" word controversy

In separate reports, three major human rights NGOs, two of them Israeli, recently concluded that the "A" word (Apartheid) is applicable to certain Israeli policies – Yesh Din and Human Rights Watch in respect of the West Bank and East Jerusalem and B’Tselem in some respects also of Israel within the Green Line. That has provoked angry responses in many quarters, including accusations of antisemitism. Is there any cause for concern here on the part of those who wish Israel well, or are the critics of these NGOs correct in condemning and rejecting their reports?

Presenters

Robin Margo

Robin Margo SC is a past president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and NIF Australia. In his native South Africa, he was an anti-apartheid student leader. He received the 2010 Community Relations Commission’s Community Service Award for facilitating “constructive discussions... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm AEST
Room 2

Everything Israel

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

12:00pm AEST

The Israeli elections – what just happened?

After 4 elections, it seems like Israel might finally have a government. What are the short and long term consequences of the the incoming coalition government and will it make any difference? A session with your questions and hopefully some answers.

Presenters

Ron Weiser

Dr Ron Weiser AM is a Past President of the Zionist Federation of Australia and Hon Life President of the ZC of NSW. Ron is a member of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency, a member of the Y2i committee and the initiator of Birthright Israel in Australia.

Monday June 14, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm AEST
Room 6

Everything Israel

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

12:00pm AEST

The colour of Jews in a White Australia

Where did Jews fit in the white/non-white dichotomy of 19th and 20th century Australia? In 1891, rumours began that 500,000 persecuted Russian Jews were to be resettled in Australia. Although quickly refuted, the story provoked an intensely negative reaction in the press, in colonial parliaments, and even within Australia's Anglo-Jewish community. In 1924, with heightened pogroms and the imposition of US quotas, questions about the racial desirability of Russian Jewish migrants arose again. We'll explore these moments as a window into the question of the colour of Jews in a White Australia. Despite being notionally accepted, the whiteness of Jews was never guaranteed.

Presenters

Sarah Charak

Sarah studied Tanach, Talmud and Jewish philosophy at Midreshet Lindenbaum in Jerusalem, and then history and law at the University of Sydney. Her Honours thesis analysed the impact of the White Australia policy on Australian Jewish identity and community in the 1880s-1920s. She has... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm AEST
Room 8

History and memory

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

12:00pm AEST

Self-defence workshop

WORKSHOP | How should I respond when facing an attacker? In our workshop, we will learn how to be aggressive towards attackers, whether facing their fists, a knife, or another object. We will even learn how to use our legs to keep fighting after being thrown down!

Presenters

Dror Baraam

Dror Baraam served as a combat sergeant in the IDF, and went on to immerse himself in the world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He teaches at Origem Academy in Bondi.

Leonardo Machado

Professor Leonardo Machado came from Brazil with a mission to expand and continue teaching the old school of jiu jitsu. Leonardo has trained with Ricardo Marques of Brazilian Top Team Juiz de Fora since 2002. A third-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Professor Machado has... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm AEST
Collab Space 1

Mind body and soul

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Workshop
Teen friendly? Yes

12:00pm AEST

The modern yenta: matchmaking in Australia

Join us to explore the role of Jconnect, and the greatest challenges involved in playing matchmaker. We will meet a modern day matchmaker and learn what it means to take on that role in the Australian Jewish Community. We will also hear from Gemma, Claudia and Mel about how they found love. Their stories explore the role of modern day matchmaking.

Presenters

Alon Meltzer

Alon is the Rabbi of Or Chadash Synagogue and Director of Programs at Shalom, he is working towards a Doctorate in Law, focussing on Social Media and Jewish Law. He paints, cooks, and instagrams about learning the Talmud with Daf Yomi.

Jconnect

Jconnect is a modern matchmaking organisation with a database of members Australia wide and affiliated with an international database in the US, UK, Europe and Israel. Jconnect has had great success in connecting people with the aim of long-term lasting relationships. To date, Jconnect... Read More →

Gemma Avner

Gemma met her husband Ariel on a blind date, set up by her mother’s close friend who felt they would be a great match. Gemma and Ariel were married in January 2020 in Israel. Understanding the struggles of dating in the Sydney Jewish community, Gemma feels fortunate to have been... Read More →

Anne Engelman

Anne has been a volunteer matchmaker with Jconnect since 2013, and a Director since 2017. She cares deeply about Jewish connection and continuity and is committed to opportunities that engage the young adult community. Anne has spent many years involved in Jewish communal organisations... Read More →

Claudia and Mel

Meet Claudia and Mel. Recently married after a whirlwind courtship, they bring a tale of modern-day matchmaking that will make you smile! Articulate, warm and ready to share their story, experiences with our matchmakers and “traditional” dating, this couple’s story will leave... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm AEST
Uni Bar

Mind body and soul

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Panel

12:00pm AEST

After the Goldrush: the future of Jewish life

Are we experiencing a golden age of Jewish Life? Is it possible that the gold has run out? In a post COVID-19 world, what does Jewish life and engagement look like? Will the institutions that we've built survive the time lapse of engagement and what does Jewish identity during pandemic tell us about our future? Living Jewishly is ultimately about finding a personal meaningfulness in the Jewish journey. Over the last year or so it has become evident that resilience is alive and well offers much optimism for the future of Jewish life. It also offers many challenges and changes. What are the key factors to the survival of Jewish life post-COVID?

Presenters

Yossi Sapirman

Rabbi Yossi Sapirman is the founder of Living Jewishly. Until recently he was the Senior Rabbi and CEO of Beth Torah Congregation in Toronto, Canada for 22 years. Rabbi Sapirman is known for his inclusive and empathetic leadership, spiritual entrepreneurship and warm, engaging manner... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm AEST
Club Bar

Society and politics

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

12:00pm AEST

Is meditation a Jewish thing? A look at ancient and later Torah sources

Meditation is a very sought after practice today and has many benefits. It often originates and is associated with various eastern practices and disciplines. But Judaism has so much to say on Meditation. This session looks at ancient and modern texts on the topic and will end with a Jewish meditation.

Presenters

Michoel Gourarie

Rabbi Michoel Gourarie is the director of BINA, dedicated to adult Jewish learning. He is a passionate speaker on many topics with a special emphasis on Personal Growth from a Jewish perspective. He is the author of All on a Thursday Morning – a great resource for personal grow... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm AEST
Room 4

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

12:00pm AEST

Toratah, the regendered Bible: breaking the locks, expanding the canon

Where is the library of Jewish sacred texts that codifies women’s experience in the sacred? Are you ready to unsettle your foundational Jewish habits? Introducing the Regendered Bible: possibly the most radical development in Jewish text you'll encounter. Is it breaking Judaism? Is it building upon it? Is it heresy? Is it holy? Join us for ritual and study of Toratah (HerTorah) – a Torah in which all genders are reversed and the Feminine Divine law descends through a mother-daughter lineage. We will examine Genesis 1-3, the Creation narrative, to see what happens when the first man is a woman, and the first woman is a man. Yael will introduce us to her groundbreaking work and the painstaking process required to arrive at Toratah. We’ll experience this work through song, prayer, leining, and study, and conclude with the expanded vision of Torah sheleima – a complete Torah.

Presenters

Yael Kanarek

Yael Kanarek is an established Israeli-American multidisciplinary artist, known for her pioneering use of multilingualism in art. A student of Kabbalah, since 2016, she has been working on regendering the Bible in response to the critical void of canonical text in L’shon Isha (feminine... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 12:00pm - 1:00pm AEST
Room 5

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

12:45pm AEST

Lunch available for purchase

Monday June 14, 2021 12:45pm - 2:45pm AEST

1:15pm AEST

Other people's stories: the Holocaust and the power of fiction

What are the challenges and moral issues that arise when writing a work of fiction about the Holocaust? Suzanne Leal's latest novel The Deceptions is based on a true story of wartime betrayal told to the author by her late neighbours, Fred and Eva Perger, who were both Holocaust survivors. Moving between wartime Europe and modern Sydney, the novel is about a woman kept captive in the ghetto of Theresienstadt and the Czech gendarme who becomes her prison guard. It's also about the nature of deception and betrayal and the place of truth in families with long-guarded secrets. The Deceptions considers decisions made in the turmoil of war and the consequences not only for those directly involved but also for their descendants. Join Suzanne to discuss this fascinating true story and the moral implications of writing other people's stories.

Presenters

Suzanne Leal

Suzanne Leal is the author of novels The Teacher’s Secret, Border Street and The Deceptions, which was shortlisted for the Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award and won the Nib People’s Choice Prize. Lawyer, presenter and literary judge, Suzanne is the online host of Thursday... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 1:15pm - 2:15pm AEST
Room 2

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

1:15pm AEST

Feeling good inside your own skin and with others: Christian, Jewish and Muslim perspectives

The proper path, it is written, involves all that is beautiful or honourable to ourselves, and from the people around us. But so much “ugliness” or dishonour, can be projected on to us, internally from self-criticism regarding various “failures” or “faults” and externally in our dealings with others. Service fatigue or burnout in our efforts to help others can be overwhelming or frustrating. “Ugly people” - in the sense of their apparent characters or at least the way they treat us- offer little in affirming our “inner beauty”.

We will draw on our lived experience as people of various cultural and religious backgrounds and how we sometimes find comfort or guidance in our faith traditions. E.g. The Prophet went into a cave. We can forgive ourselves because God is abundant in forgiveness. We cannot be ugly if God made us. In-fighting consumed Korach. There is nothing new under the sun.

Presenters

Zohra Aly

Zohra trained and practised as a pharmacist for several years before finally turning to writing, her first love. She has freelanced, writing for titles such as Sydney Morning Herald, Sunday Life and Mindfood magazine. Zohra has been very involved with her Imam Hassan Centre in... Read More →

Kate Xavier

Kate Xavier is the Senior Education Officer at Together for Humanity. She is an experienced High School Teacher specialising in Studies of Religion. Kate is passionate about Interfaith Dialogue. She was awarded a Young Catholic Women’s Interfaith Fellowship where she attained a... Read More →

Zalman Kastel

Before his transformation, as a Chabadnik in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Zalman Kastel viewed people mainly as “us & them”. Encounters with Muslims changed him. He directs Together for Humanity, an organisation that fosters interfaith and intercultural understanding in school students... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 1:15pm - 2:15pm AEST
Room 8

Mind body and soul

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Panel
Teen friendly? Yes

1:15pm AEST

Good and bad in Europe today

With far right parties gaining power and influence across Europe, what should Jews know? This session will cover just a few facets of right-wing extremism across Europe. We'll focus especially on Germany’s new political party, the AfD (“Alternative für Deutschland”), a repository for anything to the right of the ultra-conservative Christian Democrat Party (CDU). Giving itself the veneer of a respectable popular party, it nevertheless incorporates much of the ideology of neo-Nazi and racist viewpoints, including the rejection of many basic international human rights. Inherent contradictions in Germany's Constitution have partially enabled this worrying trend, along with contradictions in how the state authorities deal with freedom of expression: neo-Nazi provocation – even when clearly non-compliant with the Constitution – is protected from protestors.

Presenters

Oliver Hoffmann

Oliver Hoffmann was born in 1944 in Auckland, New Zealand, to refugee parents from Berlin, Germany. He has been involved in various Holocaust-related projects from local research into terror and resistance in one area of Berlin to editing texts for a Holocaust-related website “World... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 1:15pm - 2:15pm AEST
Uni Bar

Society and politics

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

1:15pm AEST

Time travel in the Talmud

Time is not linear. In the Talmudic imagination Moses and David (and others) travelled in time. We will explore some Talmudic texts that challenge the way we think about time.

Presenters

Tommy Sterling

Tommy is a long-time Limmudnik who loves to ask questions and explore the origin of all things Jewish. His Jewish passion spans the traditional to the academic. He is also husband to a Rabbanit (making him a Rebbitzman) and father of 3 teenagers.

Monday June 14, 2021 1:15pm - 2:15pm AEST
Collab Space 1

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

1:15pm AEST

FILM + Q&A | 'Incitement', the story of Rabin's assassin

FILM + Q&A | The assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in November 1995 was a watershed moment for Israel. Incitement is a mesmerising and electrifying account of assassin Yigal Amir’s radicalisation process over a two-year period leading up to the murder, against the backdrop of violent protests, terror attacks and Amir’s growing sense of personal frustration and isolation. Combining archive footage of Rabin and the then opposition leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, with superb performances, Incitement tells a story of a personal and national tragedy that killed not just a leader but also the dream for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

This gripping and memorable drama was Israel’s submission for the 2020 Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, and Winner of the 2019 Ophir Award (Israeli Oscars) for Best Film.

Please note that this session will run for 150 minutes and runs over two session slots.

Monday June 14, 2021 1:15pm - 3:45pm AEST
Room 3

Everything Israel

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Film

1:30pm AEST

Food fermentation adventure – kimchi with Carla

WORKSHOP | Learn a bit about fermented foods, what to keep in mind when your start to make your own and how to explore the world of fermented food production from your own kitchen! I will also demonstrate the method for making kimchi, a traditional Korean condiment, for you to take home to complete its fermenting in your kitchen – to be ready in time for your next Shabbat dinner.

This session has limited spots. Please sign up at the registration desk.

Presenters

Carla Stern

Carla is many things in the world, including an environmentally conscious and sustainability focused foodie. Previous Limmud workshops on fermented foods – "not your bobbie's sauerkraut" – have been the highly successful and well received. Join me this year in exploring vegan... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 1:30pm - 2:30pm AEST
Club Bar

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Workshop
Teen friendly? Yes

1:30pm AEST

The reality of occupation: a virtual tour

What are the impacts of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories? What changes will creeping annexation cause and what will this mean for Israel’s democracy? Join the New Israel Fund Australia for a virtual video tour with Hagit Ofran from Peace Now’s Settlement Watch project, as she helps us gain a deeper understanding on these issues. Ofran takes us around East Jerusalem and surrounding towns, to the Bedouin community of Khan al-Ahmar in Area C, drives us down Jericho Road in Al-Eizariya, and more. Following the short virtual tour we'll break into small discussion groups led by NIF staff to discuss how we feel about what's going on and what role we have in shaping the conversation around occupation and annexation as Australian Jews in the Diaspora.

Presenters

Eve Altman

Eve is NIF Australia's community organiser, focusing on developing the New Gen community. She worked for the Sydney Alliance. Eve holds a BA of Political, Economic, and Social Science from the University of Sydney, and was an active member of Habonim Dror. Eve is on the board of Emanuel... Read More →

Sharon Berger

Liam Getreu

Liam has been involved in NIF Australia since its establishment in 2011 and is the executive director since 2013. He also sits on the Jewish Agency for Israel's board of governors. Liam holds a BA (Middle East Studies) from Deakin University and an Executive MA from the University... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 1:30pm - 2:30pm AEST
Room 4

Everything Israel

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

1:30pm AEST

Blessed is the match: the life of Hannah Szenes

Join Tuvia Book for a program of learning, inspiration, and poetry to celebrate the life of Hannah Szenes, Zionist pioneer, poet and paratrooper who was executed by the Hungarian Arrow Cross – Nazi collaborators – at the age of 23. This session will examine Hannah's motivation for her heroic selfless actions, through her own words and through recollections of those who knew her. Decades after her tragic early death her story and her poems continue to inspire.

"A voice called, and I went.
I went, for a voice called."
(Hannah Szenes, 1921-1944)

Presenters

Tuvia Book

Tuvia was born in London, raised in South Africa, and now lives in Modiin. He is an IDF veteran and licensed Israeli Tour Guide, who has guided and taught Jewish students and educators from every continent except Antarctica. Tuvia has a doctorate in Israel education and is the author... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 1:30pm - 2:30pm AEST
Room 6

History and memory

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

1:30pm AEST

Who speaks for Hasidic women? Failed emancipations and stained-glass ceilings in the Hasidic community

Women in Hasidic communities are often portrayed as oppressed and voiceless members of a fundamentalist variety of Judaism. How do these women live in such communities in the same age as Instagram, Twitter, and the #MeToo movement? In this session we will explore this misunderstood and understudied segment of the Jewish community and uncover where the Hasidic woman's path to emancipation has progressed and where it has failed. We will investigate the fascinating lives of the forgotten Hasidic women leaders who challenged the status quo and the Jewish textual framework that prevented their success. The personalities we will discover include the "Maiden of Ludmir", as well as prominent women from the Satmar, Chernobyl, and Lubavitch dynasties.

Presenters

Dovi Seldowitz

Dovi Seldowitz, PhD candidate (Sociology), received his BA(Hons) in Sociology and Anthropology at UNSW and rabbinical ordination from the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva in Brooklyn. His area of research concerns social change in religion, with close attention to the growth of women's leadership... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 1:30pm - 2:30pm AEST
Room 7

Society and politics

Delivery method In person
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

1:30pm AEST

When Ben-Gurion met Bin-Nun: Joshua’s conquest read in the Zionist era

David Ben-Gurion, the first Israeli prime minister, saw the IDF as a modern instantiation of the military might of the biblical Joshua. The renewal of the Jewish state seemed to him like a reenactment of the biblical story of ancient Israelites in their arrival to the Promised Land, where they settled and built their new national home, after the defeat of local Canaanite inhabitants. But the legacy of Joshua has also caused great discomfort to many. Other Zionist thinkers asserted that Joshua should be discarded because of its brutal descriptions. Scholars and educators grappled with the question of how to engage with such a core narrative of Jewish history which also raises severe moral problems. The session will discuss the use made by Zionists of the biblical stories about wars, conquests, settlement, and ethnic cleansing performed by the ancient Israelites in the Promised Land.

Presenters

Gili Kugler

Dr Gili Kugler is a senior lecturer of Biblical Studies and Classical Hebrew at the University of Sydney. She holds a Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Her research focuses on biblical traditions and theology with the use of historical-literary analysis of text composition... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 1:30pm - 2:30pm AEST
Room 5

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

2:45pm AEST

And I Shall Live: poetry and song

PERFORMANCE | This performance piece is an intertwining combination of original poetry by Bettina Bock from her latest book And I Shall Live published by the Sydney Jewish Museum and original folk songs sung and accompanied on her guitar by Nogah Strum. This mother-daughter duo retells the story of Bettina’s family struggling to survive the Holocaust and start a new life in Australia. One poem Still Soft is about the grief of Bettina’s mother recently passing away then followed by Nogah singing her song “How do we say Goodbye?” Another poem My Musical Father says “Playing the guitar saved your life” surviving Auschwitz and is followed by Nogah’s song Survival. Together they will perform And I Shall Live, sharing their gifts of creativity and life experiences with the audience.

Presenters

Bettina Bock

Bettina Bock was born in Prague in 1946, an only daughter of Holocaust survivors. She began to write poetry when she was 12 years old. She attended Conservatorium High School and graduated from University of Sydney. She is married to Sigmund Ebert and has two children, Ben and No... Read More →

Nogah Strum

Nogah Strum is a singer, song-writer, guitarist, poet, teacher and dreamer. From an early age she wrote her own folk songs and played the guitar. She has sung Yiddish with her mother for over 15 years. She has two daughters, Rochi and Peninah, and is remarried to Hazem.

Monday June 14, 2021 2:45pm - 3:45pm AEST
Uni Bar

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Performance

2:45pm AEST

Walk like an Egyptian: baby Moses and the art of 'passing' as non-Jewish

The Book of Exodus offers a potted account of the early life of Moses. We know that he was born to Israelite parents but was raised as a prince in Pharaoh’s royal palace. The nature of his upbring as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter is largely unmentioned in the original biblical text. In response to gaps in Moses’ biography, artists and biblical commentators alike have imagined the infancy and adolescence of the future leader of the Jewish people. In this session we will look at a series of nineteenth-century paintings of baby Moses in order to consider what Moses may have looked like, and the degree to which he was able to ‘pass’ as Egyptian. We will also touch on contemporaneous debates in anthropology about the racial characteristics of ancient Egyptians and ancient Israelites.

Presenters

Keren Hammerschlag

Keren Hammerschlag is a Lecturer in Art History and Curatorship at the Australian National University. Her specialties are nineteenth-century British painting and Victorian anatomical illustration. She is the author of Frederic Leighton: Death, Mortality, Resurrection (Ashgate, 2015... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 2:45pm - 3:45pm AEST
Room 7

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

2:45pm AEST

Women 'off' the wall: who owns the Western Wall?

When Israel was established in 1948, it was supposed to enable all Jews to practice Judaism according to their belief. And yet, for the past 32 years, a group of religious women have continued fighting for their right to pray freely at the Western Wall. By asking who owns the Kotel, we will open a wider question: who owns Judaism in Israel? Join us and learn more about our decades of struggle, achievements and goals. We will analyse the current situation, and see what must still be fought for. WOW has stood resolutely at the forefront of the movement for religious pluralism in Israel, to inspire and empower women from all over the world and across the spectrum of Jewish movements to find their spiritual voices and create meaningful Jewish identities.

Presenters

Anat Hoffman

Anat Hoffman is Chair of the Board for Women of the Wall, and is the Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center, the legal advocacy arm of the Reform Movement in Israel. Previously, she held a seat on the Jerusalem City Council, where for fourteen years she stood in... Read More →

Yochi Rappeport

Yochi was born in Tzfat and raised in an Orthodox religious environment. She served as a commander in the IDF's Nativ Course, designed to teach Judaism and Zionism to immigrant soldiers, including those interested in pursuing an Orthodox conversion to Judaism. She is Executive Director... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 2:45pm - 3:45pm AEST
Club Bar

Everything Israel

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

2:45pm AEST

A visit to Sydney's oldest synagogue: virtually

Building a synagogue has been a milestone for Jews throughout ancient and recent history. The first synagogue built in the Australian colonies was consecrated in Sydney's York Street in April 1844. Contemporary records acclaimed the piety of traditional liturgy and the synagogue's Egyptian architecture. Sadly, this rare example of colonial architecture was lost in 1878 when the congregation moved to the new Great Synagogue on Elizabeth Street. Until recently, only a few images of the synagogue's exterior have been known, and apart from a loose description of the inner sanctuary, we could only guess what ambience surrounded the early Jews during their prayers. Drawing on Jana's research and based on Zac's findings of interior plans and his 3D imaging experience, we present the first comprehensive art history and virtual recreation of the oldest synagogue in Sydney.

Presenters

Zac Levi

Zac Levi is a 3D Specialist with an interest in Colonial Australian History, Culture and Architecture. He uses his skills to recreate the past based on historical evidence. Zac studied Media Arts (Honours) at the University of New South Wales where he trained in CGI, Animation and... Read More →

Jana Vytrhlik

Jana Vytrhlik is an art historian of Judaica and synagogue architecture with a PhD in Art History from the University of Sydney. Jana is a curator at The Great Synagogue in Sydney, and former curator of the Jewish Museum in Prague.

Monday June 14, 2021 2:45pm - 3:45pm AEST
Room 2

History and memory

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

2:45pm AEST

Humanitea along the Silk Road

WORKSHOP | As the saying goes: the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single steep. Journey with Benjamin Ezzes through the history of Jewish migration to different lands from Kaifeng to Cochin, and how the tea practices of each of these communities displayed their close connections with their neighbours – with practical demonstrations included!

This session has limited spots. Please sign up at the registration desk.

Presenters

Benjamin Ezzes

Benjamin Ezzes holds a Combined Bachelor of Arts/Education (Secondary) degree at the University of Sydney with First Class Honours in Jewish education. He has been teaching Jewish Studies and History for six years, first at BJE and now at Moriah College.

Monday June 14, 2021 2:45pm - 3:45pm AEST
Room 4

History and memory

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Workshop
Teen friendly? Yes

2:45pm AEST

The elusive nature of justice

PERFORMANCE | The imperative to pursue justice is not always so clear-cut. What is required of us? What if justice to one person is injustice to another? Where can we find true justice and why is it so elusive? This performance is a mixture of traditional, personal, sacred and wisdom tales that will explore the trickster nature of justice – a pastiche of the personal experience of a storyteller and educator who has worked extensively for 30 years with communities in conflict, with diversity and Jewish education and in cross-cultural situations, throughout Israel and Palestine, in South Africa and in white and indigenous Australia, as a social activist.

Presenters

Donna Jacobs Sife

Donna is a writer, award-winning storyteller and educator and was the School Programs Director of Together for Humanity. She has had close conversations with countless Muslim and Jewish students as well as with Australian Palestinian and Jewish communities. She is co-founder of Jewish... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 2:45pm - 3:45pm AEST
Collab Space 1

Society and politics

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Performance
Teen friendly? Yes

2:45pm AEST

Jewish values directly impacting a company's P&L: how Uber lost $100 million USD!

Uber, Tnuva, and Starbucks have lost hundreds of millions of dollars due to poor business decisions. In this session Ariel Tal explores the intersections of business and Jewish values, analysing the companies' business decisions. Would they have been in line with Jewish values? Each one of these companies lost over $100 million dollars because they failed to comply with basic Jewish values, some of which are universal values as well. How do values and business intersect, and what role do a company's values have in in their ethical and financial decision-making?

Presenters

Ariel Tal

Rabbi Ariel Tal is the Rabbi of the WJCC, and gives a series of talks about Jewish law and the workplace each week, and specifically talks about how Jewish values have a direct impact on companies' P&L, branding and business success.

Monday June 14, 2021 2:45pm - 3:45pm AEST
Room 6

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

2:45pm AEST

What about me? Creating Jewish rituals to reflect real life moments

If you don't get married and have children, the next traditional Jewish ritual after bar or bat mitzvah, is your funeral. Jewish rituals are powerful markers of moments in our lives: the joys and the sadnesses but for many, the traditional rituals don't reflect the challenges and significant moments in their lives. For her more than 20 years in the rabbinate, Rabbi Ninio has crafted rituals for people which are personal and at the same time, reflect and have echoes of the ancient traditions and wisdom. Join her as she explores some of the rituals she has created and together we reflect on what moments we could mark with creative Jewish ritual.

Presenters

Jacqueline Ninio

Rabbi Ninio was ordained in 1998 when she became the seventh Australian-born progressive rabbi and the third Australian-born female rabbi. Rabbi Ninio joined Emanuel Synagogue in 1998 and is the congregation’s first female rabbi. She is interested in midrash and liturgy and has... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 2:45pm - 3:45pm AEST
Room 8

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

4:00pm AEST

Revivalistics: from the genesis of Israeli to language reclamation in Australia and beyond

Discover a linguistic game-changer: revivalistics, a new global trans-disciplinary field of enquiry surrounding language reclamation, revitalization and reinvigoration. I will make a strong case for a clear distinction between revivalistics and documentary linguistics, the latter being the established field recording endangered languages before they fall asleep. Whilst documentary linguistics puts the language at the centre, revivalistics puts the language custodians at the centre. The session will be divided into two main parts, reflecting my own journey into language revival from the "Promised Land" to the "Lucky country": from analysing critically the Israeli language to reclaiming what I call “dreaming, sleeping beauties” in Australia and globally. I will end with a plea to listen to Jenna Richards, an Aboriginal woman who takes part in my Barngarla reclamation workshops: “I found the experience of learning our language liberating... it gave me a sense of identity... a purpose in life”.

Presenters

Ghil‘ad Zuckermann

Professor Ghil‘ad Zuckermann is Chair of Linguistics and Endangered Languages at the University of Adelaide, President of the Australian Association for Jewish Studies and author of Israelit Safa Yafa (Am Oved, 2008), Language Contact and Lexical Enrichment in Israeli Hebrew (Palgrave... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm AEST
Room 2

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

4:00pm AEST

Women who made the State

You have probably heard of Golda Meir but what about the many other women who contributed to the creation and development of Israel? Women were involved in every field of state-building, from diplomacy to culture. Hear about just four of them – Nehama Leibowitz, Rivka Sturman, Rabbanit Kapach and Miriam ben Porat – and help make Israel's history herstory, too.

Presenters

Peta Pellach

A founder of Limmud Oz when Education Director at Shalom, Peta is now an educator, activist and blogger in Jerusalem. She is a Senior Fellow, at the Kiverstein Institute (Proudly Feminist), Education Director at the Elijah-Interfaith Institute (Sharing Wisdom, Fostering Peace), and... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm AEST
Room 5

Everything Israel

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

4:00pm AEST

You Can't Ask That: Jews and Palestinians

This session takes a challenging conversation between Sydney Palestinians and Jews and opens it to Limmud participants. Members of Partners for Peace (P4P) will respond honestly and respectfully to questions put to them – however awkward or ‘politically incorrect’ the questions might be in other settings. P4P is a group of Australian Jews and Palestinians who work together to understand each other's history, narratives, and realities to demonstrate an alternative to bitterness and conflict. P4P supports any mutually agreed solution that will allow both peoples collective self-determination and equality, peace, freedom, dignity, security and democracy between the Jordan and the Mediterranean.

Moderators

Shoshana Faire

Shoshana has 30 years' experience in conflict resolution and facilitation. She is co-author of the best selling book Everyone Can Win—Responding to Conflict Constructively. Shoshana is passionate about conversations where people can both share and listen to different perspectives... Read More →

Janet Kossy

Presenters

Reem Borrows

A Palestinian with Israeli citizenship, born in Haifa where most of her extended family still reside, Reem migrated to Australia with her family as a teenager. Today she runs Dreem Coaching and Consulting, specialising in optimising human performance and business. She serves on the... Read More →

Donna Jacobs Sife

Robin Margo

Abe Quadan

Abe is a nationally accredited mediator, facilitator and lecturer. He is of Palestinian background and co-founder of Palestinian-Jewish Dialogue group in Sydney. Abe believes in peace with justice and co-existence between Palestinians and Israelis within the framework of a two-state... Read More →

Issa Shaweesh

Issa Shaweesh is a Palestinian refugee whose family moved to Jordan. He migrated to Australia in 1991 and has a civil engineering consulting business based in Sydney. As an advocate for justice and peace for the Palestinian People, he is active in a number of community and political... Read More →

Sheree Waks

Sheree has had lifetime involvement in social change: as a Fairfield Councillor; member of Western Sydney Ethnic Affairs Committee; Cabramatta Community Centre Secretary; founder of SWAP drug/alcohol service, Australian Centre of Cartooning and Animation and South West Amnesty group... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm AEST
Collab Space 1

Everything Israel

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Panel

4:00pm AEST

The missing mezzuzot of Zdunska Wola

WORKSHOP | In this workshop, participants will be given the opportunity to make mezzuzot with the guidance of Estelle Rozinki. Estelle is the curator, designer and artist of the exhibition "The Missing Mezzuzot of Zdunska Wola" which explores and memorialises the diverse Jewish community of Zdunska Wola, Poland before 1939. The first hundred mezzuzot were created as a metaphor for 100 of the 3000 Jewish families that lived in the town before World War II and the interactive installation focuses on vignettes and stories of a once vibrant Jewish community. Discuss this poignant exhibition and make your own mezzuzah!

Presenters

Estelle Rozinski

Estelle is an educator, artist and curator. Her recent exhibitions concern themselves with Social Justice and pre Holocaust Jewish history. She is currently a candidate in the Curating and Cultural Leadership Master’s Program at University of NSW.

Monday June 14, 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm AEST
Room 3

History and memory

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Workshop

4:00pm AEST

Judaism and veganism: a how to guide

WORKSHOP | "I would love to go vegan, but what would I serve for Shabbat dinner?" Once considered niche, veganism in 2021 is mainstream. This interactive workshop will keep you up-to-date, covering the the basics of vegan cooking and answering all your questions. What is tofu and how do I make it taste good? Can I really bake without eggs? We'll also discuss why a plant-based diet is better for our health and for animal welfare and the environment and how perfectly it aligns with Jewish values.

Presenters

Renee Dvir

Renee moved to Sydney in 2017, originally from Israel. Her interest in veganism started for health but it was only when she learnt about the realities of animal agriculture that she went totally vegan. Besides her full-time IT job, Renee is a vegan activist, photographer, and proud... Read More →

Ruttie Munoz

Ruttie Munoz, mother of five, has been vegetarian for 15 years and vegan for the last five. Her husband is also vegan and their kids were brought up in a vegetarian and vegan home. To be vegan for them in a nutshell is to say yes to people’s health and to the health of our plan... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm AEST
Room 8

Mind body and soul

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Workshop
Teen friendly? Yes

4:00pm AEST

Jews and the climate crisis: a conversation with Israel's solar pioneer

Israel's leading solar pioneer will discuss the role of the Jewish people in fighting the climate crisis and how we can win this epic battle. Yosef will also analyse how little Israel inspired the Biden-Harris Administration to shoot for the 100% clean energy goal by 2035, even though it itself is not a good climate player. The solar adventures of Israel's Kaptain Sunshine, from the Arava to Africa, will be unpacked as the world heads into the UN Climate Conference in November.

Moderators

Joel Lazar

Joel is CEO of the Jewish Climate Network. His experiences are diverse, spanning commercial law, educational program design, Jewish youth and community leadership, facilitation and creative writing. Joel's commitment to social justice in a Jewish context culminated in him receiving... Read More →

Presenters

Yosef Abramowitz

Nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize by 12 African countries, Yosef Israel Abramowitz is one of the pioneers of solar energy in Israel and East Africa. He is an activist, educator, and self-proclaimed troublemaker who sees affordable green power as a fundamental human right. He... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm AEST
Room 6

Society and politics

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Interview
Teen friendly? Yes

4:00pm AEST

The future of Jewish day schools in Australia

Students leaving uninspired, a critical shortage of Jewish studies teachers, and a distinct drop in enrolments. The JCA review into Jewish Education in Australia has painted a dour vision for the future of our Jewish Day Schools. We have brought together a group of educators and leaders across the educational institutions to comment on what they believe our schools are doing right, where they can improve, and what reforms are needed in order to ensure the future of Jewish education for our children.

Moderators

Asher Klein

Asher is a university student who is an expert procrastinator, an average cook and a terrible chess player. He is currently studying High School Education at the University of Sydney with the goal of becoming an English teacher. He works in the Emanuel school Jewish life department... Read More →

Presenters

Benjamin Ezzes

Jo Gluckman

Jo Gluckman is an experienced educator with a passion for Jewish education. She is the incoming Head of Education and Experiential Learning at BJE, and was recently Head of Jewish Learning and Informal Jewish Education at Masada College. Jo holds a Master in Laws and a Master of Educational... Read More →

Tahlia Gordon

Tahlia Gordon is President of the NSW Board of Jewish Education. She is co-founder and co-director of boutique advisory and consultancy firm Creative Consequences, and has held numerous senior positions in the legal profession. Tahlia is a PhD candidate in law, and she lectures on... Read More →

Phil Roberts

Phil has been Principal for 19 years and has worked at Mount Sinai College for 30 years. These days, he has had the pleasure of enrolling parents whom he taught and has found great enjoyment in being an integral part of the community in this time.

Monday June 14, 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm AEST
Room 4

Society and politics

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Panel

4:00pm AEST

When things don’t go exactly as planned: insights from today’s Daf Yomi, Yoma 64

We will learn together from today’s daf the law regarding a situation where one of the goats needed for the special Yom Kippur service in the Temple dies before the sacrifice is completed. How did the Sages grapple with the question of how to handle unexpected situations? As in many topics in the Talmud we will see more than one opinion. What is the relevance of this debate to us today? Why is it important to learn Talmud? Why is a book written so many generations ago still relevant? Why is Hadran working to make Gemara accessible to women learners around the world? What has changed since the Siyum HaShas for women in January 2020?

Presenters

Michelle Cohen Farber

Michelle Cohen Farber is the founder of Hadran, whose mission is to advance Talmud study for all women. She is also the founder and teacher of Daf Yomi for Women, the first women's online shiur on daf yomi. Michelle spearheaded the first international Siyum HaShas for Women. Michelle... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm AEST
Club Bar

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

4:00pm AEST

Writing the midrash method for new knowledge

WORKSHOP | This session is a practical application of the midrash method of writing as a lived experience. This method is a pathway to your personal understanding, or investigation, of a topic or event. At the start we'll cover a few principles that form the basis of writing midrash. Throughout the session each attendee will be writing their own midrash. Originally midrash was a narrative, interpreting Torah text. Now we use midrash in our search for meaning of contemporary issues regardless of religion or topic. If there is a topic, issue or event that you want to open up to yourself; to challenge a fixed narrative in, for example the media, bring that to this session. (If not – you will become clear in the session.) People come to understand the lived experiences of asylum and migration through mainstream media images and narratives. We will write to find the new that is knowledge.

Presenters

Devorah Wainer

Devorah is an internationally recognised scholar for developing the Midrash Methodology. Her book on the Midrash Methodology, with narratives relating to human rights and asylum-seeking-refugees, is currently in publication. An associate at the University of Sydney, she has facilitated... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 4:00pm - 5:00pm AEST
Room 7

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Workshop

5:15pm AEST

Jewish detective novels

We all know Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle as purveyors of great detective novels – think Miss Marple, Sherlock Holmes... This session will examine detective novels where the detective is Jewish, as is the author. Can you imagine the Rabbi – orthodox or not – in the role of crime solver? What sort of detectives have been created by Jewish authors? One detective we'll examine is not only Jewish but the wife of Sherlock Holmes – who would have thought it?

Presenters

Jeffrey Cohen

Rabbi Jeffrey Cohen was the Sydney Jewish Museum’s first CEO, and has served as Literary Editor of the Australian Jewish News and now J-Wire. He serves as a Research Chaplain at St Vincent’s Private Hospital and is Associate Professor of the School of Medicine (Sydney) at Notre... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 5:15pm - 6:15pm AEST
Room 2

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

5:15pm AEST

Culinary start-up nation

Israel has been a country for just over seventy years, not nearly enough time to form anything resembling a cuisine. However, in recent years, this not-yet-cuisine has evolved into one of the hottest global culinary trends. Israeli-themed cookbooks win accolades, Israeli chefs open high-profile restaurants around the world and droves of foodies flock to Israel to sample fresh, sexy, colourful food served in local restaurants. Adventurous diners revel in the fact that there are so many cuisines to choose from; health buffs and vegetarians admire our love of vegetables and penchant for starting every meal with a salad. How did Israel become the IT country for food, and why now? This session traces the roots of this incredible food revolution, introduces its key players, maps out current culinary trends, and spices everything up with some tasty behind-the-scenes gossip.

Presenters

Janna Gur

Janna Gur is a Latvian-born Tel Aviv-based food journalist, editor and cookbook author. Food is her passion, as is telling the world about the incredible renaissance of Israeli food culture. Janna has written three books on Israeli and Jewish cuisine: Jewish Soul Food: from Minsk... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 5:15pm - 6:15pm AEST
Club Bar

Everything Israel

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

5:15pm AEST

Recognising non-Orthodox conversions for the purpose of Aliyah: landslide win or landslide disaster?

Recognition of non-Orthodox conversion performed in Israel has always been a political landmine. Since 1962, when Ben Gurion agreed that a law be passed conferring a monopoly over marriage and divorce to the State-run Orthodox Rabbinate, the Orthodox institutions inferred that this monopoly included conversion. In fact, the opposite was true. In 1970, when the question of "who is a Jew" was debated in the Knesset within the framework of the Law of Return, the majority ruled that there would be no definition of "who is a convert", in order to keep the law as inclusive as possible. For over 30 years the Supreme Court wrestled with the issue, trying to push the "hot potato" back to the legislators – until finally this year, it handed down its decision in favour of the non-Orthodox movements – weeks before the latest election. This session will explore the implications of the decision – legally, politically and socially.

Presenters

Nicole Maor

Nicole Maor is the Director of the Israel Reform Movement's Legal Aid Center for Olim (new immigrants). Born and raised in Sydney she made Aliyah in 1989 and was admitted to the Israeli Bar in 1992. She also has a master’s degree in International Law and International Relations... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 5:15pm - 6:15pm AEST
Room 5

Everything Israel

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

5:15pm AEST

Light in the darkness: lessons in resilience

Resilience is more than just a popular buzzword – it is a skill that is, and has been, critical for our survival. How do we acquire this skill and who can teach it to us? Jewish elders have been passing down these skills for centuries. Learn how the lessons learned from Holocaust survivors informed responses to diverse crises ranging from domestic violence to the COVID pandemic and beyond... and how you can apply them to your own life.

Presenters

Rachel Tanny

Rachel Tanny is CEO of COA Sydney, a non-profit providing Connections, Opportunities, and Activities for Jewish seniors. With experience in communal leadership, law, and business innovation, Rachel led COA to thrive despite COVID and other challenges. A single mum and survivor herself... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 5:15pm - 6:15pm AEST
Room 7

Mind body and soul

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

5:15pm AEST

A 50/50 chance: the gender gap in Jewish communal leadership

“I’m sick of mentoring young Jewish women with the lie that their talent, skills, drive and ambition will allow them to attain the roles… [held by] men half as talented as they are”, said an anonymous participant in a 2020 AJN special investigation into women and leadership in the Jewish community. With the culture around gender equality in the workplace turning, many are left asking: ‘when will Jewish organisations catch up?’ This panel will explore how we can reform our organisations set up Jewish women to succeed at the same rate as their male peers, and how to empower them to take charge of their own careers.

Moderators

Lynda Ben-Menashe

Lynda Ben-Menashe works at the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies. Her passion is innovation in the building of social capital and her fervent wish is to see more talented women attain leadership roles in the Jewish community.

Presenters

Shana Kerlander

Shana is the CEO at Mandelbaum House, the Jewish residential college at the University of Sydney. She was Hilel Director at Shalom when the first Limmud Oz was held in 1999 and is excited to return as a panelist.

Julia Sussman

Julia is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Youth HEAR. She also serves as a Director of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and Co-Chair of the Sydney Alliance. Julia is a passionate advocate for social justice, specifically regarding empowerment for women and subsequent engagement... Read More →

Sophie Deutsch

Sophie was previously the NSW Arts Editor at The Australian Jewish News where she conducted a special investigation into gender-based issues, and surveyed the experiences of numerous women in Jewish communal organisations.

Talya Wiseman

Talya Wiseman leads the Experiential Department of Jewish Education at Moriah College. Talya aims to develop her students’ personal connection to Judaism and a lifelong love of learning and questioning. She runs regular educational programming on a range of topics including innovative... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 5:15pm - 6:15pm AEST
Collab Space 1

Society and politics

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Panel
Teen friendly? Yes

5:15pm AEST

Inoculating against hatred: helping young people resist antisemitism

In this session Will Allington presents his research findings on young people's resistance to Holocaust denial online, and his concept of "inoculative resistance" to hate and pseudo-intellectualism. Watch as he puts inoculative resistance into action through his "Holocaust Narrative" presentation, pretending to be a Holocaust denier in front of Jewish students to provide them with a safe exposure to the hatred. Take the opportunity to debate with Dr Allington's Holocaust denier persona, and explore how best to include inoculative resistance in education and everyday life, so as to better protect all people from antisemitism and other forms of hate and pseudo-intellectualism.

Presenters

William Allington

William Allington graduated with a PhD in Jewish Civilisation, Though and Culture from the University of Sydney in 2020. His PhD research focused on the rise of antisemitism on Web 2.0, how it evolved, and how young people respond to its various manifestations online.

Monday June 14, 2021 5:15pm - 6:15pm AEST
Room 4

Society and politics

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation
Teen friendly? Yes

5:15pm AEST

From fear to love: an expansive view of the Book of Iyov (Job)

The Book of Iyov (Job) addresses the problem of theodicy – why God permits evil in the world – through the tragic suffering of the character Job. Wealthy and happy, God allows Satan to destroy Job and his family, in order to test his faith. For centuries the book has puzzled, disturbed and animated philosophers and commentators, as well as artists and writers. In this session, Benny Lau, founder of the 929 project, explores diverse perspective on the Book of Job, based around the daily chapter for 14 June. 929 brings commentary on a daily chapter of Tanach from divergent perspectives, demonstrating the deep resonance and relevance of Tanach for people of all backgrounds.

Presenters

Benny Lau

Rabbi Benny Lau is an Orthodox rabbi, community leader, activist, author, and public speaker living in Jerusalem. He is a founder of the 929 project to study a daily chapter of Tanach, with diverse perspectives. Previously Lau was head Rabbi of the Ramban Synagogue and the Human Rights... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 5:15pm - 6:15pm AEST
Room 6

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

5:15pm AEST

Jewish ethics as a guide to the practice of medicine

Stems cells are increasingly being used for a variety of medical needs. Their source – from an embryo, or from adult skin – has raised ethical questions for some. Jewish medical ethics hold that either of these sources is acceptable, whereas some Christian ethics oppose the use of embryonic stem cells. In the Jewish community, genetic testing is becoming more and more prevalent, especially before marriage, for diseases such as cystic fibrosis and Tay Sach’s disease. If one is carrying an abnormal gene, selection of an unaffected embryo is possible prior to implantation in IVF. If there are no unaffected embryos, would it be permissible to genetically modify the embryo, assuming the technology for this was available? We will explore how Jewish medical ethics approaches these and other questions, and how this may differ from other faiths.

Presenters

Bernard Tuch

Dr Bernard Tuch is a consultant endocrinologist and a practising orthodox Jew. He is also a Professor of Medicine at Sydney University and Monash University, and Chairman of the NSW Stem Cell Network. He uses the orthodox Jewish point of medical ethics to help guide him in his medical... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 5:15pm - 6:15pm AEST
Room 8

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

6:00pm AEST

Dinner & drinks available for purchase

Monday June 14, 2021 6:00pm - 7:15pm AEST

6:45pm AEST

The State of Israel v Benjamin Netanyahu

Exploring what is arguably one of the most important court cases in the history of Israel, Plus61J Media's Jerusalem Correspondent Ittay Flescher will take you through all the charges, Netanyahu’s defence arguments and how the trial has already impacted the politics of Israel in a dramatic fashion.

Presenters

Ittay Flescher

Ittay Flescher is the Education Director and Kids4Peace and the Jerusalem Correspondent for Plus61J Media.

Monday June 14, 2021 6:45pm - 7:45pm AEST
Club Bar

Everything Israel

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

6:45pm AEST

What it takes: lessons from the extraordinary life of Isi Leibler

Isi Leibler was one of the leading international Jewish figures post-World War II. He has been described as a giant of his generation and various obituaries have explored his legacy and leadership style. Always controversial, Leibler was never afraid to speak out. He believed a leader’s task was to lead, not follow. New York journalist, Gary Rosenblatt, who followed Isi’s battle with the World Jewish Congress, wrote in the New York Jewish Week, ‘Isi Leibler, who died at 86 in Jerusalem on April 13, was unique in that he was… an outspoken establishment leader and, as a man of conscience, someone willing to expose corruption, even within groups where he held top posts.’ In this session Australian Jewish leader, Alex Ryvchin, will explore these issues of leadership in conversation with historian, Professor Suzanne Rutland, who has just published the biography: Lone Voice: the wars of Isi Leibler.

Presenters

Suzanne Rutland

Suzanne D. Rutland (OAM, PhD), Professor Emerita, Department of Hebrew, Biblical & Jewish Studies, University of Sydney, has published widely on Australian Jewry, Holocaust and Soviet Jewry. Apart from Lone Voice, she is co-author of SRE and its Value in Australian to Contemporary... Read More →

Alex Ryvchin

Alex Ryvchin is the Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. He is the author of three books, including a critically-acclaimed history of Zionism and a children’s book, A New Day, which was selected as PBS’s top children’s book for the pandem... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 6:45pm - 7:45pm AEST
Room 8

History and memory

Delivery method In person
Available online? Yes
Session format Interview

6:45pm AEST

Consent, sex education and #MeToo in Jewish schools and Jewish texts

In 2021 a petition by university student Chanel Contos put the spotlight on an epidemic of sexual violence against Australian school students by their peers. Meanwhile, Brittany Higgins bravely spoke up about sexual abuse happening within Federal Parliment itself. Unfortunately, women in Australia's Jewish community – like other women across Australia and like Jewish women in Israel and around the world – experience violence in a variety of contexts. In this panel, we bring together experts and educators for a frank look at the issue of consent. Is there a Jewish textual perspective on consent? What is a healthy Jewish sex ethic? Are we doing a good job teaching students about sex and consent in Jewish schools? How can we challenge gendered power imbalances in our community, and what needs to be done to combat a culture of violence and silence?

Moderators

Kerri Sackville

Kerri Sackville is an Australian author and social commentator. She is a regular columnist for Sunday Life magazine, Sydney Morning Herald, Melbourne Age and news.com.au, and her latest book is Out There: A Survival Guide for Dating in Midlife. Find Kerri on Twitter @kerrisackville... Read More →

Presenters

Melinda Jones

Melinda Jones is a feminist human rights lawyer and political theorist, currently serving as President of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia. She is working on two books: Safeguarding Australia's Children: Eugenics, Medical Treatment & the Law and Women Who Built the... Read More →

Judith Levitan

Matt Friedman

Matt founded 2 Birds 1 Bee, a youth-run sex and relationship education project in 2016, the year after graduating high-school, with a passion to bring these conversations to as many young people as possible. He is an experienced facilitator who has worked with thousands of young people... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 6:45pm - 7:45pm AEST
Room 4

Society and politics

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Panel
Teen friendly? Yes

6:45pm AEST

Can you be dead if your heart is still beating? Organ donation and halakha

Come learn what halakha (Jewish law) really has to say about organ donation and find out about the latest legislation in Israel about organ donation. You need to educate yourself now so if you are every asked to donate organs you can make an educated decision. Explore Talmudic and Mishnaic texts that can shed light on this 20 century phenomenon where a person’s heart can beat even though the brain is dead. Some rabbis view a beating heart as a sign of life, some rabbis don't. Most organs are taken from a brain dead patient. You need to know if you are alive or dead before you make that decision.

Presenters

Robby Berman

Robert Berman is a graduate of Harvard University (MPA), Baruch College (MBA), Yeshiva University (BA), Gruss Kollel and Yeshivat Hakotel. He has been published in New York Magazine, the Harvard Review, the Los Angeles Times, Ha’aretz. He is the founder and director of the Halachic... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 6:45pm - 7:45pm AEST
Room 5

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

6:45pm AEST

Is existentialism a Jewish idea?

Philosophers like Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Husserl, Heidegger, Camus and Sartre explored the nature of being and human existence. They explored the existential nature of meaning, morality, and human freedom. These issues are also addressed in Jewish texts – and this session will explore existentialism through the lens of Torah.

Presenters

Joseph Dweck

Joseph Dweck is the Senior Rabbi of the Spanish & Portuguese Sephardi Community of the UK, the oldest Jewish community in Britain, established in 1656. He is American born and studied under, and received Semikha from, former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. He has a BA in Liberal... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 6:45pm - 7:45pm AEST
Room 6

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method Online
Available online? Yes
Session format Presentation

8:00pm AEST

Big Macher trivia: the annual Limmud Oz quiz

Quizraelites: time to use your yiddishe kop for Limmud Oz’s annual Jewish-themed trivia quiz! All new questions on Israel, Judaism, Australian Jews and Jews around the world, with fun bonus rounds. In chad gadya, which three items come between the ox and the dog? In which decade did the Sydney Jewish Museum open? Can you name the eldest daughter in Fiddler on the Roof? Create a team with your friends or we'll find teammates for you! Members of the winning team will be crowned Limmud Oz's Big Machers for 2021. Prize: two zuzim, useful for buying new kids.

Presenters

Dane Stern

Dane has two life passions – Limmud and trivia. He was a long-time member of Limmud Sydney’s advisory board, co-chaired Limmud Fest, and has appeared on three TV quiz shows. Dane chairs the Shoah Remembrance Committee at the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and works in data analytics... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 8:00pm - 9:00pm AEST
Club Bar

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Quiz
Teen friendly? Yes

8:00pm AEST

CHUTNEY - a Klezmer Kabaret

PERFORMANCE | CHUTNEY is a klezmer band with a twist. Drawing on their Eastern European and Middle Eastern heritage, they present a hot and spicy mix of original compositions plus modern takes on traditional dance tunes. Comprising well-known Sydney musicians Ben Adler (violin), Paul Khodor (keyboard), Ben Samuels (clarinet), Yiss Mill (percussion) and Oscar Gross (bass), the musicians’ on-stage chemistry is electric, traversing styles from gypsy jazz to tango, folk to rock, classical to funk, east to west.

For this show, they are joined by Australian musical theatre performer extraordinaire, Doron Chester. Most recently seen touring as Iago in Disney's "Aladdin", Doron will serve up Chutnified renditions of some of your favourite tunes from Fiddler on The Roof that will have you dancing and rolling in the aisles!

With generous helpings of violin schmaltz, blisteringly fast solos, driving rhythms and toe tapping classics, there's no better way to send off Limmud Oz 2021!

Presenters

CHUTNEY

CHUTNEY is a klezmer band with a twist. Drawing on their Eastern European and Middle Eastern heritage, they present a hot and spicy mix of original compositions plus their own modern takes on traditional dance tunes. CHUTNEY formed in Sydney at Limmud Oz 2019. They have since played... Read More →

Ben Adler

Ben is a violinist and Head of Musicology at St Andrew's College, within the University of Sydney. He has toured nationally with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and internationally with the Hillel String Quartet. Ben is a founding member of CHUTNEY, the Ben Adler Quartet (a classical... Read More →

Oscar Joe

Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Oscar Joe, is a busily gigging musician around the Sydney scene. He toured Japan with local band, Sal & the Mandas, just before COVID-19 struck last year. He also composes for film and TV, and won Best Original Song at the 2018 Screen Music... Read More →

Paul Khodor

For the past fifteen years, Paul has been an integral part of the Sydney Jewish music community. He has been the accompanist of numerous Jewish ensembles, is the resident keyboardist of Emanuel Synagogue's Shabbat Live band and is a founding member of CHUTNEY.

Yiss Mill

Yiss has performed Folk, Psytrance, Psychedelic Prog Rock, Rock and Roll, Soul, traditional Jewish and Chassidic music nationwide. He currently performs with singer songwriters, in a Judeo Arabic Medieval band and joined CHUTNEY in October 2020.

Ben Samuels

Benjamin Samuels is a clarinetist and saxophonist who is deeply involved in Sydney’s music scene. Since his studies he has been touring and playing worldwide with many different outfits, performing all over Australia, Europe, America, India and Israel at major festivals. Additionally... Read More →

Doron Chester

Doron Chester is an Australian musical theatre star, most recently seen touring with Disney’s "Aladdin" in the role of Iago. Prior to this, Doron was the off-stage swing and understudy for Barry Mann, Neil Sedaka, Bobby Hatfield and Lou Adler in "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 8:00pm - 9:00pm AEST
Main Room

Arts culture and literature

Delivery method In person
Available online? Yes
Session format Performance
Teen friendly? Yes

8:00pm AEST

To bridge the unbridgeable gap between Right and Left in Israeli politics

Politics is always a messy affair, but the toxicity between Right and Left in Israel is quickly becoming a real threat to the country's stability. When the other side is "wrong" there can be a constructive debate, but when the other side is "evil", and must be stopped by any means, discourse itself can be destructive. The "Start Up Nation" has failed so far in finding a way out of the political entanglement that has been plaguing it for decades. This session will examine initial attempts to address this issue by Jewish philosopher Micah Goodman and moral psychologist Jonathan Haidt, who seek to transcend the current dichotomies of dysfunctional political debate.

Presenters

Oren Thaler

Oren teaches at the Emanuel School, and taught in Jerusalem before moving to Sydney. He has led initiatives for dialogue and reconciliation between Arabs and Jews. He holds a BA in Middle East studies and Jewish Philosophy from the Hebrew University and an MA in Peace and Conflict... Read More →

Monday June 14, 2021 8:00pm - 9:00pm AEST
Room 5

Everything Israel

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation

8:00pm AEST

Radical Rabbis

Explore the teachings of three Rabbis who proposed radical ideas well before their times. See how the Tzitz Eliezer thought Jewish law should approach gender reassignment surgery, the Maharashal who objected to the codification of law as it would stymie the law's ability to evolve, and Rav Kook's views on vegetarianism and humanism.

Presenters

Alon Meltzer

Monday June 14, 2021 8:00pm - 9:00pm AEST
Room 6

Text tradition and philosophy

Delivery method In person
Available online? No
Session format Presentation