Presenter Topics
Liverpool Day Limmud 2010 Adult Programme Information
Key to Presentation & Topic Type: A = Arts (Literature/Media/Music), C = Contemporary issue, D = Discussion,
H = History, I = Israel, L = Lecture, P = Philosophy, T = Text, W = Workshop,
Mohammed Amin & David Berkley : Yerushalayim and/or El Quds : [C, H, I, D, L]
David and Amin are Limmud regulars and co-present at seminars at which they discuss issues from a Jewish and
Muslim perspective. This year, David suggested to Amin that a good topic might be Jerusalem, to which Amin responded “Great, so will you talk from a Muslim viewpoint this time?” David thought Amin was joking but was persuaded by Amin’s earnestness. Come along and discover what a prominent Zionist and a committed Muslim found on their research and the extent to which these investigations have affected their thinking and hopes for peace in the Holy Land.
David Berkley : A Page of Talmud : [T]
A text-based analysis of a single “Sugya” – a unit of Talmud, intended for beginners and intermediate level participants. This session will provide a useful introduction to Talmud and should stimulate further interest and confidence. Basic Hebrew reading skills would be helpful but not essential and all materials will be provided.
Carola Brassey : Everything’s Coming Up Roses : [A, W]
In this Sugarcraft demonstration and workshop you make your own Kosher 3-dimensional rose and rosebud from coloured sugarpaste using only your fingers, thumbs and a plastic bag. Enhance your rose with edible luster dust and attach it to a plaque. All materials, worksheets and useful tips will be supplied. Enjoy ! (Please wash your hands before the session starts).
Wendy Cohen : Israeli Dancing For All : [H, I, W]
Not just “Hora.” - come and learn some dances from “Golden Oldies” to Line Dance. Have fun and don’t worry about “two left feet.” We guarantee success!
Stan Dadds : The Hijacking of the Tanach : [C, T, D, L]
This talk will explore how and why the early church leaders validated their new religion on the foundation of Tenach. This will involve looking at how portions of Tenach were mis-read, mis-interpreted, and even mis-translated. Furthermore we will review the fusion of ancient pagan/Hellenistic beliefs with Jewish concepts. In the light of the increasing evangelisation of the Jews this topic is of contemporary relevance.
Nicholas Evans : Anglo Jewry & The White Slave Trade : [H, L]
This illustrated talk will discuss the notorious ‘white slave trade’ from Europe to America, Argentina and South Africa, during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. As well as discussing attempts in London and the provinces to curtail the trafficking of female Jews, and role of Jewish pimps, it will also consider the establishment of (and continued need for) a branch of the Jewish Association for the Protection of Women and Girls in Liverpool during the twentieth century.
Simon Fishel : IVF - Achievements & Ethical Dilemmas : [C, D, L]
Since the world’s first birth in 1978 human IVF has brought over 2½ million babies into the world. IVF technology has progressed at an astonishing pace and now incorporates the interrogation of DNA for a vast range of genetic disorders – but diverse regulatory and ethical views exist across international boundaries. Simon will discuss the innovations and associated dilemmas as well as the challenges it presents to Jewish tradition and Halacha.
Yehoshuah Grunstein : When All is Going Down the Drain : [C, D, L]
Do small Jewish communities stand a chance of survival ? This lecture will present the challenges facing small Jewish communities, such as Liverpool, and go on to describe how such communities can successfully meet them in a number of creative ways. Case-studies from many small communities around the globe will be discussed.
Yehoshuah Grunstein : Does Jewish Law Change With Life ? : [C, T, D, L]
There is no question that no Jew today, even the most [so-called] "observant", is living like a Jew did even 150 years ago. If so, is Jewish law eternal and stationary or does it change as time/environment changes on us all? This lecture will show that while the law never changes, its application in 2010 is vastly different from previous times. Many examples throughout Jewish law will be brought to prove this point from primary sources, to the codes and Responsa
David Hakak : Children of War : [H, I, D, L]
An account of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which is suffered by children on both sides of The Israeli – Palestinian Conflict. The account describes the intense and chronic fear seen in the faces and heard in the voices of the affected children.
Jonathan Hoffman : The Chill Factor - Zero Tolerance for Anti-Semitism : [C, I, D, L]
Who are the culprits? What are we doing about it and what should we do? With the election just four days away - is this government doing enough and how can the next one be better? Is anyone else on our side?
Bernard Jackson : The JFS Case, Jewish Identity & the Chief Rabbi’s “Own Goal” : [C, L]
This session will explain the reasoning of the Supreme Court judgments in the JFS case, including its use against the school of an essay of the Chief Rabbi on Conversion. The case raises wider questions of the ethos of modern Orthodox schools, and will be related also to “Who is a Jew?” issues in Israel.
Norman Jacobs : My Hometown Concentration Camp : [H, D, L]
This tells the story of young Bernard Offen's survival of the Krakow Ghetto, Julag, Plaszow, Mauthausen, Auschwitz-Birkenau and Dachau camps until his liberation by American troops in 1945. The presentation will explain how, with the assistance of the presenter, Mr. Offen wrote his memoirs, published as My Hometown Concentration Camp, and what they came across working together in present-day Poland on issues surrounding his experiences during the Holocaust. Short extracts from Mr. Offen’s personal documentary films may be included.
Avremi Kievman : What ELSE is Bugging Rashi ? : [C, H, P, T, D]
Rashi, the 11th century French sage, has become synonymous with basic Bible and Talmud study. His commentary has grown to be the first port of call for any traditional Jewish study. Simplistic in style yet profound in content, this course will explore the methodology of Rashi and reveal revolutionary new paths in the study of Chumash.
Clive Lawton : The Mysterious Matter of Shimon Bar Yochai : [C, H, P, D, L]
Shimon Bar Yokhai was a super-rabbi of Mishnaic times. He is revered as a master of Kabala, is regularly quoted in rabbinic literature, and his tomb in Israel is thronged with celebrations on his yahrzeit, Lag b’Omer. He is the only rabbi I know of to have a song sung about him every week. At the same time, he got things monumentally wrong, so wrong that God told him to go away till he got them right again. As the Talmud often says, Come and hear…
Pamela Marre : Tales From A Family Tea Table : [A]
Storyteller Pamela Marre comes from a family in which stories were an indispensable part of the tea table. It was these stories, which forged for her a link with her Jewish identity. She invites you to come and listen to some of her repertoire: tales of emigration, immigration and survival in London’s East End; fairy tales from the Middle East; folk tales from Eastern Europe; anecdotes, bible stories and rabbi’s tales; stories of wisdom, laughter, sadness and surprises.
John Minnion : Ox on the Rooftop : [A]
A wacky cartoon animation of Le Boeuf Sur le Toit (1919), the exuberant musical masterpiece by French composer Darius Milhaud, introduced by a slideshow which looks at his Jewish Roots, his escape from occupied France, and his crippling condition of rheumatoid arthritis. And we seek out some of the Brazilian dance tunes (mainly tangos) which he uses in Le Boeuf. This presentation is reasonably educational, but mainly fun.
Zipporah Ne’eman & Moshe Natan : Traditional Jewish Papercutting : [W]
This is a double session commencing with a display of traditional paper cuts, by Ya’akov and Zipora Ne’eman. Zipora and Moshe Natan will tell you about the history of traditional Jewish paper cuts, who, when, why and where Jewish people created papercuts hundreds of years ago. Every participant in the workshop will create his own original paper cut. No special skills needed. Do not worry, with the special method Zipora has developed, every one can do it! Even you!!!
Benny Peiser : Global Warming – Is it good for the Jews ? : [C, L]
How to avoid losing sleep about green doomsday predictions. After all, don’t we have enough to worry about?
Judy Plaut : The Biggest Jewish Community ? : [C, D]
Perhaps the majority of Jews in this country now have non-Jewish family members. How do we respond to this? Is it time to confront some of the hurt and acknowledge the many joys that mixed faith relationships can bring? Are we sufficiently welcoming to members (Jews and non-Jews) of mixed faith families or are we still trying to pretend that this situation doesn’t exist? Come and share your thoughts.
Es Rosen & Fiyaz Mughal : The Role of Righteous Muslim Persons : [H, D]
Heroism impresses us because it is out of the ordinary and unpredictable, but acts often performed by ordinary people. This talk brings to your attention deeds of bravery which occurred during the incomprehensible crime that was the Shoah, of Righteous Muslims, who saved Jewish lives. Inspired by original research we describe how men and women followed their own consciences, despite threats to their own lives, to safeguard others. A timely guide to stories too little known and far too little understood.
Hagai Segal : Terrorism & The Al-Qaeda threat Today : [C, T, L]
While we have seen no successful attacks in the West since 7/7, this has not been for a want of trying by al-Qaeda and its affiliates, with numerous plots broken across the UK, Europe and the USA. Further afield they have succeeded in causing death and destruction, from Mumbai to Jakarta to Baghdad. Hagai Segal examines the current state of al-Qaeda, and whether we are seeing their threat diminishing or their resurgence.
Marvin J. Shaw : Kosher Happiness – Spiritual Meditations of Colour, Joy & Optimism : [A, P, D, W]
Marvin J. Shaw, the originator of the unique holistic ‘Kosher Happiness’ experience will facilitate an uplifting selection of relaxation, meditation and visualisation experiences based on his newly published book ‘Kosher Happiness- a 12-step programme to reveal and release your inner potential’. Feel good and enjoy.
Alan Shenkin : Primo Levi & The Periodic Table : [A, C]
Primo Levi wrote many books based on his experiences in Auschwitz. One of his most original, but perhaps least understood is The Periodic Table. In vivid anecdotes, many taken from his life as an industrial chemist, he describes the history and contributions of the Jewish people as an inspired analogy with the reactions of different chemical elements. But no previous knowledge of chemistry is required to appreciate the brilliance of this book!
Sybil Sheridan : Are There Still Jews in Ethiopia ? : [C, H, D, L]
In Gondar, Ethiopia over eight thousand Beta Yisrael, wait and pray that next year indeed they will be in Jerusalem. Their hopes for Aliyah are complicated by the fact their grandparents converted to Christianity, but they want to be Jews and are currently living a Jewish life. Are they calculating opportunists, or hapless pawns in a political game? What, if anything should we be doing to help them? Find out more at this presentation.
David Simmons : Alephs Through The Looking Glass : [A, L]
A talk about the development of a short educational movie as part of a final year undergraduate project for a Photographic Arts degree. The movie, which will be shown, explores Hebrew calligraphy (and its origins) in Siphrei Torah and uses the text as a starting point to explain various festivals and other Jewish practice such as Tephillin and Mezuzot. The movie is animated entirely from still photos but is not a slide show.
Michael Swerdlow : From The Bimah To Broadway – Part 2 : [A, L]
Michael follows on from his previous Liverpool Limmud Day presentation to complete the story and bring full circle the journey discovering the amazing contribution made by Jewish composers and lyricists to the American and British popular song. A highly informative and entertaining illustrated session.
Lindsey Taylor – Guthartz : Exploring The Shema : [T, L]
We all know that the Shema is important, but how often do we pause to reflect on what we’re saying? In this session we’ll slow down and listen carefully to what the Shema is telling us, using insights from Rashi’s commentary to uncover deeper levels in the text.
Lindsey Taylor – Guthartz : Deconstructing Midrash : [T, L]
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a fairy story, it's history---no, it's midrash!! Come and investigate a uniquely Jewish way of reading the Bible. We'll be looking at a midrashic text and using a technique developed by Simi Peters to decode its messages. Our exploration will reveal some key features of what midrash is---and what it isn't.
Jonathan Turner : Bias at the BBC : [C, H, I, L]
Do you ever wish to throw a brick at your TV when they report on Israel? The speaker will explain the complaints he made about Jeremy Bowen’s reporting, the findings of the BBC Trust, the efforts made by the BBC to avoid and delay a fair investigation and then to spin the result, and why it is so important. There will be an opportunity to ask questions following the talk.
Ben Ullman : Future Visions Of Our Community : [C, D]
What should the British Jewish community look like in 10-15 years? What organisations should exist that don't currently? What should be the priorities of our major communal organisations? In this frank and open debate Ben will lead a discussion with two key members of the Liverpool Jewish community – Sam Beilin & Alan Tinger - who are very involved in elements of its future infrastructure.
Barend Velleman : Who Needs The Diaspora ? : [H, I, P, D]
I claim that the most secular Jew in Israel leads a fuller Jewish life than the most ultra-orthodox Jew in the UK. Agree? Come and say why! Disagree? Come and do that most Jewish of activities…..argue!
Julian Verbov : Laughing Matters : [A, P, L]
Laughter is important but how important is not appreciated. A cheerful disposition is a treasure (Prov 17.22). Humour and laughter in medical and other situations can be beneficial. The Bible, Talmud, Jewish humour and humour in general will be discussed. It will be demonstrated that making sounds with the voice in showing amusement at the material of thought, speech or writing, is of both importance and consequence.
Yiddish Song Project : Sing in Yiddish : [A, W ]
Find your Yiddish voice in this practical workshop with the Yiddish Song Project! We’ll learn a song or two in Yiddish as well as enjoy some improvisation. Come along and discover what makes Yiddish Song special.
No experience necessary, and you don’t have to be able to speak Yiddish.
Ruvi Ziegler : The West Bank Barrier : Myths, Realities & Legal Principles : [C, I, D, L]
The IDF faces legal challenges regarding its actions in the West Bank. Numerous petitions are submitted to the Israeli Supreme Court by Palestinians, Israelis and human rights organisations. The construction of the barrier has received significant international attention, not least due to the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion. The session offers perspectives on the project’s legality in view of the need to balance security, human rights and the rule of law.
