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Sessions for Monday, 09:30 - 10:40 (Chavruta Alternatives)
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- Bi-Focal Lens on Europe and the Jews
- From Altneuland to Tel Aviv: a Journey with Herzl
- From Madoff to Strauss-Kahn: Why People Sin - the Biology (1 of 2)
- Globalisation: Jews in the Wilderness
- Homeopathy in Jewish Life - First Aid (2 of 3)
- In the Beginning
- Jews (Must) Go - Everyone Loves/Hates the Jews! (2 of 4)
- Jumba Live! (1 of 3)
- Keshet UK - a New Forum for LGBT Jews
- Limmud - Will It Ever Learn From Itself?
- Moses - a Biography: Spiritually Remote or Politically Engaged?
- Nothing Helps (But this Might Help): Community Comfort in the Social Media Age
- Religious Belief and Make-Believe
- Tzedek and Tzedakah - Israel's Summer of Social Justice
- Understanding the Agunah Problem: Sources of Jewish Divorce Law
- Where Are You on the Israel Map?
Bi-Focal Lens on Europe and the Jews
Barbara Spectre
Location: Sci 4
Tracks: Communities, Diaspora, Leadership
Type: Lecture, Discussion
Can the continent of Europe ever again be a suitable home for Jewish life? Given the secular atmosphere in many societies in Europe, how do Jews understand and define themselves? What is the relationship between European Jews and Israel? This session will present a two-lens perspective on the attempt to reclaim Jewish life in Europe. (Warning: some of the descriptions of Jewish life in Europe might surprise you).
From Altneuland to Tel Aviv: a Journey with Herzl
David Breakstone
Location: Hum 1
Tracks: Current affairs, Israel, Social Justice
Type: Discussion, Text Study
Herzl's Zionism was not only about creating a refuge for the Jewish people, but also about forging an exemplary society. What we've created thus far falls far short of that. On this journey in pursuit of the Zionist vision, we will contemplate how to relate to an Israel that has not met the expectations of its founding fathers, particularly against the background of a growing campaign to delegitimise the very essence of the Zionist idea.
From Madoff to Strauss-Kahn: Why People Sin - the Biology (1 of 2)
Daniel Goldfarb
Location: Soc 1
Tracks: Midrash, Tanach/Text
Type: Discussion, Text Study
Rececnt news offers too many examples of people from all walks of life behaving regrettably. What are the factors in the makeup of man/woman that tempt us? We'll study Biblical and Rabbinic texts and real cases to learn the nature of the human species and the nature of sin. Text study, discussion, no background necessary.
Globalisation: Jews in the Wilderness
Hannah Gaventa,
Zippi Gershon
Location: Ram 1
Tracks: Communities, Social Justice
Type: Discussion, Social / Informal
Tzedek is the UK Jewish community's response to extreme poverty. Join the debate about the impact volunteering in the developing world has on alleviating poverty. Find out about your chance to volunteer in India and Ghana.
Homeopathy in Jewish Life - First Aid (2 of 3)
Zeb Mirza,
Francis Treuherz
Location: Ram 3
Tracks:
Type: Workshop / Practical, Training
How to deal effectively with effectively with medical emergencies and accidents and acute conditions. Zeb will present a series of common first aid solutions to acute illness and accidents. Francis will offer an alternative approach using homeopathic medicines. Zeb is an experienced paramedic. Francis has been advising patients on a national phone homeopathy helpline for 16 years.
In the Beginning
Lene Rachel Andersen
Location: Sci 7
Tracks: Modernity, Philosophy, Social Justice
Type: Discussion
A creative and alternative interpretation of the Magen David based on the evolution of human culture and Judaism. Discussion about law, desire, work, spirit, society, and intellect in Judaism; Jewish values, choices, ethics etc.
Jews (Must) Go - Everyone Loves/Hates the Jews! (2 of 4)
Jeremy Leigh
Location: Sci 5
Tracks: Diaspora, History, Israel
Type: Lecture, Discussion
Everyone hates/loves the Jews: No need to have attended the earlier session in this series discussing the Jewish Grand Tour - what are destinations Jews must travel to and what should we talk about when we get there? Today we visit Kiev, Salonika and Berlin with the challenge of visiting and interpreting sites of rejection, persecution and also acceptance. How do different generations respond to sites of tragedy alongside those of success?
Jumba Live! (1 of 3)
Maurice Stone,
Ilai Szpiezak
Location: SU Copper Rooms 1
Tracks: Dance
Type: Workshop / Practical, Dance
Join the hottest dance craze in the UK - combine Jdance with Zumba and you have an action packed Latin Israeli rhythm with movements guaranteed to burn those carbs! Forget Salsa and Tango, this will really have you moving!
Keshet UK - a New Forum for LGBT Jews
Natalie Grazin,
Daniel Lichman
Location: Lib 1
Tracks: Communities, Sexuality, Social Justice
Type: Discussion
Keshet UK is the new Jewish organisation addressing the issues that matter to lesbian and gay Jews. Launched exactly a year ago at Conference 2010, Keshet UK's priorities include provision for elderly LGBT Jews, inclusion within synagogues and how children with LGBT parents are treated in Jewish schools. Bring your ideas and contributions about what needs to be done and how.
Limmud - Will It Ever Learn From Itself?
Rob Sassoon
Location: Soc 2
Tracks: Business, Education
Type: Lecture, Discussion
Keen Limmudnik and undergraduate business management student Rob 'Sassy' Sassoon has managed to convince the University of Birmingham to let him write his final year dissertation on how Limmud manages the collective knowledge of its core event volunteers, and what it can do to improve its current practices. Come and hear some of his preliminary thoughts and perhaps help to contribute to his final submission!
Moses - a Biography: Spiritually Remote or Politically Engaged?
Alex Israel
Location: Ram 6
Tracks:
Type: Lecture, Text Study
Moses's story starts as a political activist in Egypt. But after he communes with God for 40 days and nights in secluded spirituality, we wonder how Moses moves forward. Does Moses remain the man of God, or will he become the people's leader? Is spirituality at variance with political leadership?
Nothing Helps (But this Might Help): Community Comfort in the Social Media Age
Esther Kustanowitz
Location: Ram 5
Tracks: Communities, Spirituality
Type: Discussion
The loss of a loved one throws the world into chaos, for mourners and for the people who surround them, trying to help. Whether you've been through a loss in your family, or you've recently tried to comfort someone who has, come for some open, honest talk about what may help, how humour comes from unexpected places, and how the modern Jewish community can help to support those who grieve. In memory of my mother, Shulamith z'l.
Religious Belief and Make-Believe
Samuel Lebens
Location: Sci 3
Tracks: Philosophy
Type: Lecture, Discussion
This session will argue for a surprising thesis: Judaism is more interested in make-believe than it is interested in belief. Is this thesis compatible with Orthodox Judaism? How does this thesis change the relationship between religion and science?
Tzedek and Tzedakah - Israel's Summer of Social Justice
Ruth Calderon
Location: Ram 2
Tracks: Israel, Social Justice, Tanach/Text
Type: Discussion, Text Study
Last summer in Tel Aviv was a source of hope and inspiration for all Israelis. The young spiritual leadership of the social protest movement elevated biblical notions of 'tzedek' over rabbinic one of 'tzedakah'. We will study sources connected to both concepts, uncover the differences and similarities and ask whether the culture of Tel Aviv is really influenced more by the bible than by the rabbis.
Understanding the Agunah Problem: Sources of Jewish Divorce Law
Rachel Levmore
Location: Sci 2
Tracks: Age/Gender Issue, Halacha, Social Justice
Type: Text Study
This text-based lesson evolves into a philosophical examination and analysis based on modern Jewish life and texts ranging from three tannaitic opinions expressed in the Mishnah to 15th century Rabbinic decisions. Each of us will examine our own attitudes to divorce and when it is justified, and how that attitude we have may be different from former generations. An understanding is reached of the untenable situation of 'get'-refusal and the modern-day 'agunah', chained woman.
Where Are You on the Israel Map?
Keith Kahn-Harris
Location: Ram 4
Tracks: Anglo Jewish Politics, Communities, Israel
Type: Lecture, Discussion
In recent years the question of Israel has proved extremely divisive in the UK Jewish community. New alliances, divisions and groupings have begun to emerge, creating a complex and fluid situation. The UK community can be 'mapped' by identifying the key communal fault lines over Israel. This session presents this map - part of a book I am writing about divisions over Israel - which is sure to spark some strong reactions.
