Presenters and Sessions
Session 2 11.30-12.30
Session 3 12.45-13.45
Session 4 14.00-15.00
Session 5 15.15-16.15
Session 6 16.30-17.30
Session 7 17.45-18.30
Who are they? - What are they talking about? - When?
Ze'ev Amit
The Golden Calf & the Tabernacle (Session 1)
We are going to follow the Jewish People as they come out of Egypt and arrive at Mount Sinai. We are going to join them in their fear and dismay when they think that they are left on their own, fearing Moses's fate. We are going to discuss what brought about the emergence of the Golden Calf, its consequences, and the connection, if any, between this and the construction of the tabernacle.
Ze'ev Amit has been the Minister of Catford & Bromley Synagogue since April 2002. He was born in Israel, where he became headmaster and principal of primary and high schools. Before coming to Catford Synagogue, Rev Amit was Minister of Sutton Synagogue, having ministered to the Nairobi community for 4 years. He works closely with Lewisham and Bromley Councils and is a hospital and prison chaplain.
Geraldine Auerbach
How does a girl from Kimberley get to have tea with the Queen? - An illustrated Journey in Jewish Music (Session 5)
How does one go about creating a Jewish Music Festival - probably the first in the world, with no models to base it on? The London International Jewish music Festival, which began as the Bnai Brith Jewish Music Festival in 1984, ran biennially until 2000, by which time concerts and even Festivals of Jewish music became quite commonplace in the UK and all over Europe - even reaching the USA. This talk explores its beginning and what it led to, such as the Jewish Music Institute based at the University of London.
Geraldine Auerbach MBE is Director of the Jewish Music Institute (JMI), based at SOAS, University of London. JMI facilitates the training, study and performance of music of the Jewish people from the home to the synagogue, the wedding canopy to the concert stage, bringing this into mainstream British cultural life.
Diane Barnett
Jewish Genealogy (Session 1)
Researching family history is now a very popular past-time. Much information is available on the Internet and from UK government sources. For the Jewish community family history research can be more difficult with families arriving in the UK at different times from other countries. Publications by the Jewish Genealogy Society of Great Britain on researching family history in a variety of countries are available. This session will look at how you set about this research.
Diane Barnett is a member of the Jewish Genealogy Society of Great Britain.
Larry Becker
Bilhah's Prayer - Listening to Silenced Voices (Session 5)
Bilhah, handmaid of Laban and Rachel, surrogate wife of Jacob, mother of Dan and Naphtali, played an important role in relation to Jewish Law and genealogy. Yet she says nothing in Torah and even her encounter with Reuben is not translated. We will use the poem Bilhah's Prayer to launch a discussion of how this silence was used by later Jewish writings to give voice to their contemporary concerns.
Larry Becker is a recent graduate of Leo Baeck College. Larry was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio where he studied History at John Carroll University and taught History and English. Larry subsequently lived on Kibbutz Ein Zivan. He moved to England with his family in 1987.
Shmuel Ben-Tovim
The Israeli Miracle - from political to economic independence (Session 5)
The background is not too supportive: absence of substantial natural resources, a politically unstable region, huge defence needs, millions of immigrants. Nevertheless, as of June 2008 Israel officially departed from its "emerging market" status and joined the US, UK, Japan and others in the exclusive club of "developed markets". It attracts record level of foreign investors, holds a balanced public sector budget, maintains a positive international balance of payments and is widely recognises as a global superpower in high-tech. Is this another typical miracle of the Holy Land?
Shmuel Ben-Tovim, the Minister of Economic Affairs at the Embassy of Israel, was formerly involved in banking and private businesses in Israel. He served as a non-executive director in major plc's. Other positions he has held include: Israel's Trade Commissioner to the USA, Mayor and Leader of Kfar Shmaryahu Council. He was born in Israel in 1950 and took an MBA at the Hebrew University. He served as a Major in the IDF.
Janet Berenson
Bringing the Wisdom of Kabbalah into your daily life (Session 3)
In this intimate and relaxing session we will examine how some Kabbalistic principles can be incorporated into your everyday activities. Through meditation, discussion and music we will aim to raise your spiritual and ethical consciousness and enable you to live your Jewish life even more fully.
Janet Berenson has been a spiritual seeker since before her birth. She pays her mortgage and gains great satisfaction working as Consultant in Community Educational Development for Leo Baeck College. She nurtures her spirit studying kabbalah and teaching Jewish meditation in a life-long process of tikun atzmi - repair of the self.
Barry Burke
From Tin-Pan Alley to Carnegie Hall! - The Amazing Life and Work of George Gershwin (Session 1)
George Gershwin is America's most popular songwriter and composer. This talk, including samples of his work, tells the story of how he filled his short life with beautiful music.
Barry Burke started as a teacher, finished up as a retailer, and in between has had all sorts of careers. But always he was listening to the Great American Songbook.
Jaclyn Chernett
The Sound of Sacred Song - A Journey through the Chants of Hebrew Prayer (Session 2)
Jewish Prayer has always been chanted and specific melodies tell us exactly where we are, whether morning, afternoon, evening, weekday, Shabbat, festival etc. These chants, known as "nusach hatefillah" have been referred to as the DNA of Jewish prayer. This session will track the journey through the liturgical calendar according to the Eastern European tradition - which is that mainly used in the UK. Most of these melodies will be familiar to people who love Jewish music - and people are invited to sing along. There may be a few surprises along the way!
Jaclyn Chernett is the first woman to be ordained as a Chazan (Cantor) in the UK. Cantor Chernett is a Jewish musicologist and educator and is the founder and director of the European Academy for Jewish Liturgy. She was the prime mover in founding the first Conservative Synagogue in the UK and one of the founders of its new sister congregation, Kol Nefesh Masorti. This is the first fully egalitarian community in the UK and as a result of its inception she has been able to participate as its Chazan.
Louise Ellman
Parliament and Jewish Community Issues (Session 6)
This session will deal with issues in Parliament that are of particular concern to the Jewish community. This will include how Israel is viewed by MPs, Britain-Israel relations, anti-Semitism and how the All-Party Committee Against Anti-Semitism and the Government is combating anti-Semitism. The issue of Iran and the threat it poses to international peace and security will also be discussed.
Louise Ellman has been the MP for Liverpool Riverside since May 1997. She is Chairman of the Transport Select Committee, Vice Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party Regional Government Group, Chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, Vice-Chair of Labour Friends of Israel and Vice-Chair of the All Party British-Israel Parliamentary Group. She is also a Council Member of the Holocaust Educational Trust and a director of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
Marcus Freed
BibliyogaTM: The Kosher Sutras (Session 2)
Bibliyoga is a powerful method for accessing spirituality through the body. This introductory session is suitable for all bodies and all levels of experience. Wear loose clothes and prepare to stretch your mind as we explore traditional Jewish sources in an untraditional way. Bibliyoga is safe, fun, dynamic, energising, uplifting, healing, nourishing and challenging. Get ready to stretch.
Marcus Freed is a performer, writer and Bibliyogi. Frustrated with uninspiring synagogues, he devised BibliyogaTM as a technique for experiencing Kabbalah and Biblical thought with our bodies. As an actor, Marcus has toured 15 countries with his plays "Solomon: King, Poet & Lover" and "Elijah: First Action Hero", regularly records for BBC Radio 2 (Pause for Thought) and runs a company for creative communications.
Edie Friedman
Opening doors - myths about asylum seekers and refugees today (Session 4)
Refugees and asylum seekers are among the most vulnerable and disempowered people in the world. In Britain, they are also one of the most vilified. Anti-asylum media campaigns have exercised enormous influence on government policy and political discourse, resulting in the belief that we are sinking under the weight of refugees clambering onto our island. The facts show otherwise: two thirds of the world's refugees are in the Middle East and Africa. Britain's hardening stance means that the number entering now are negligible and steadily declining. In this session Edie Friedman will attempt to show how current attitudes reflect a centuries-old tradition of ambivalence towards the world's dispossessed, fuelled by economic protectionism and the perceived need to maintain social cohesion.
Edie Friedman is a regular speaker and writes on race and asylum issues. In 1976 she founded the Jewish Council for Racial Equality (JCORE), of which she is now a director.
Ben Gidley
Jewish Radicals in London's East End (Session 4)
An account of the radical movements among the immigrant Jews of East London, including stories such as Jewish radicals eating bacon sandwiches outside synagogues, ultra-Orthodox housewives making gefilte fish sandwiches for striking Catholic dockers, and Rudolf Rocker, the non-Jewish bookbinder who learnt Yiddish and led the Jewish anarchist movement before being interned in Alexandra Palace as an enemy alien during World War One.
Ben Gidley is a researcher at the Centre for Urban and Community Research at Goldsmiths, University of London. He has researched the history of Jewish radicalism in London's East End, focusing on the First World War. He is working on a study of Jewish community leadership for the Rothschild Foundation Europe and is an associate of New Jewish Thought.
Alexander Goldberg
London Calling: Strategic thinking for London's Jewish Community (Session 1)
The London Jewish community will transform radically in the next 25 years. What will our community look like (both sides of the river)? How affiliated will it be? How will it deal with increasing poverty levels? Why does it want to build Thames Gateway villages? The London Jewish Forum has brought together leading individuals from across the community to develop a strategy for Jewish London. The new director presents data and looks at challenges ahead.
Alexander Goldberg is the new Chief Executive of the London Jewish Forum. He has an interest in human rights issues as international chair of CCJO-RenéCassin and advisor to the Centre for Research on Nationalism, Ethnicity and Multiculturalism. He is a University Chaplain and a regular panellist on BBC1's the Big Questions.
Ellen Goldberg
Kick Racism Out of Israeli Football (Session 3)
Did you ever hear "Death to the Arabs" chanted at a football match? Could you believe that a team wouldn't hire a fantastic footballer because of his ethnicity? These are some of the problems that New Israel Fund's campaign to Kick Racism Out of Israeli Football works on solving. Come and hear how it's being done, and what role the English FA has played in this effort. This session is for anyone interested in human rights, social justice and football!
Ellen Goldberg joined New Israel Fund's staff as Associate Director in Israel in 2001 and has been Executive Director of NIF (UK) since 2007. She worked in social and health service development in Israel since making aliya from the US in 1980, especially for Ethiopian immigrants, the elderly, and children at risk.
Tony Hammond
Jewish Agnostic Prayer (Session 3)
Tony Hammond is the Minister of Bromley and District Reform Synagogue. He was formerly educational director and lecturer at the LJCC formerly Spiro Institute.
Israel - A Cultural Cocktail (Session 6)
An engaging look at the many faces of Israel and the impact they have on Israeli culture. This session aims to show the diversity that exists in Israel's multicultural society and that there is a lot more going on in Israel than just what is portrayed in the media. Israel has a flourishing creative community that exhibits a broad spectrum of talents and has a courageous and unique voice. Israel is a country made up of a wide variety of ingredients, creating a cocktail that whilst sometimes spicy, is never bland.
For many years Sharron Hannoy was an artiste - a pianist, a singer, a television presenter and an actress. Her career changed direction when she took a degree in Law, specialising in commercial and family law, and she has practised as a lawyer for the past couple of years. It is the combination of these two disciplines that have brought her to her current position as the Cultural Attache of the Israeli Embassy in London.
Benita Hide
Co-existence - an alternative approach (Session 3)
A brief history of Neve Shalom - Wahat al-Salam (NSWaS), its raison d'etre and description of its educational institutions.
Benita Hide has been working in the NGO sector on human rights for the past 15 years, and with British Friends of NSWaS for nearly ten.
Maureen Kendler
Where Heaven Meets Earth: Elisha, The Shunamite woman and the 1882 Married Women's Property Act." (Session 1)
Elisha brings back a child from the dead... just another day in the life of a miracle worker. Yet the story illustrates a most extraordinary encounter between the ordinary, the Divine, the feminist and the hopeless husband. A tale of unexpected inspiration and consolation!
Maureen Kendler is Head of Educational Programming at the London School of Jewish Studies. She has a teaching background and is a UJIA Ashdown Fellow. She was awarded "Educator of the Year" in 2004 by the London Jewish Cultural Centre. Teaching texts is what she likes to do best.
Clive Lawton
The Problem with Pinchas (Session 5)
Pinchas takes the law into his own hands and is rewarded with a fast track promotion through the priesthood. But isn't one of the basic laws of human morality - one of the 7 laws to the Sons of Noah - not to take the law into our own hands, but follow a proper legal system? And if you think this is just a technicality, remember that Rabin's assassin found his inspiration in the story of Pinchas. So what exactly did Pinchas do and how exactly was he rewarded? We'll explore not just Pinchas but priesthood too.
Clive Lawton is currently Limmud's Senior Consultant. Having helped found Limmud in 1980, and being its first Executive Director from 1999 till 2006, he is now primarily working on Limmud's spread around the UK and around the world. He teaches regularly on the Melton programme and is scholar-in-residence at the London Jewish Cultural Centre. Amongst other activities, he is Chair of Tzedek, on the Board of the proposed Jewish Community Centre for London and a magistrate on the Haringey Bench.
Avril Mailer & Cynthia Steuer
What makes Jewish women mad - or glad? (This session is for women only) (Session 5)
The Jewish Women's Network showcases their popular Guide for running workshops and discussion groups for women - for you to experience, enjoy and take away to use. Short extracts from the prize-winning work of two funny, feisty and controversial women who challenge with affection their lives as Jewish women in Britain, will be the spur for you to have your say in the special way which has enthused women at Limmuds around the UK and beyond.
Avril Mailer has been a member of the Jewish Women's Network since its foundation for Jewish women across the spectrum to advance their status, and loves Limmud as a rich resource for fresh ideas. She is also engaged in supporting Darfuri women, and enjoys the challenging responses to her personal and political blogging. Her co-presenter is Cynthia Steuer.
Jon Mendelsohn
Is there a new Jewish agenda? Jews, Israel, Politics and the World (Session 5)
What are the challenges facing the Jews and how well are we doing in responding to them?
Jon Mendelsohn is a former political adviser, campaigner, third sector Chief Executive, communications professional and businessman. He is currently working professionally as an investor and in a voluntary capacity for both the Labour Party and his local synagogue.
Fiyaz Mughal
From Interfaith to...? (Session 2)
This session looks at the possible natural progression to interfaith work and will also explore whether there is no natural progression? Is interfaith work that important in today's environment - nationally or globally?
Fiyaz Mughal's working history includes over 12 years experience in the community and voluntary sector in positions that have included social policy lobbying, project and general management. Currently, Fiyaz is the Director of a not for profit organization called Faith Matters which works on reducing extremism and developing platforms for discourse and interaction between Muslims, Sikhs and Jewish communities right across the UK.
Silvia Nacamulli
A culinary history of Italian Jewry (Session 3)
Silvia will talk about the history of the Jews in Italy, taking you through the different waves of Jewish immigration and their impact on Italian cuisine from ancient times to the present. Aubergines, artichokes and pumpkins are only a few of the ingredients that characterise this fascinating culinary journey. Come and join the talk, which will be followed by a tasting of a traditional Italian Jewish dessert and an open Q&A.
Born in Rome, Silvia is an Italian-Jewish cooking expert living in London. She runs her own business, La Cucina di Silvia - Cooking for the soul, where she teaches and caters Italian food. She also writes a monthly column in the JC and is currently writing her first book.
Aharon Nathan
A New Electoral System - (TR)Total Representation (Session 6)
The political system in Israel is at odds with the realities of the social and political life of the country. The root of the problem lies in its present PR system. The delay in its reform is manifestly harmful to the stability of its government and frustrates every initiative to bring about peace. The Total Representation System (TR) could help to solve these problems. Basically TR fuses the PR system practised in Israel with the First Past The Post Constituency system as practised in the UK. This talk is connected with the final report of the Israeli President's Commission on examine the government and governance of Israel.
Aharon Nathan was an assistant advisor to Ben Gurion. He set up and headed the first civil administration of the Gaza Strip in 1956/7. He has held several senior posts including the integration of Arabs in the Histradut. In 1970 he left the Israeli Civil Service to pursue a career in business. Now retired, he devotes his time to writing on Israel and advocating electoral reform.
Alexander Nathan
Exploring Ethiopian Jews Past and Present- Film and Presentation (Session 4)
There were once more than half million Jews living in remote parts of Abyssinia (including Ethiopia). They called themselves Beta Israel - the house of Israel. Their neighbours called them Falashas - the alien ones. Until the miracle of Operation Moses brought these Forgotten Jews from Africa, the world Jewish community was hardly aware of their existence. History can tell us more. Come and explore the past and the present developments supported by a short film and presentation.
Alexander Nathan is Director of Communications and Outreach for the UK branch of NACOEJ, the North American Conference on Ethiopean Jewry. He studied at Imperial and Kings Colleges and is an active member of the Maidenhead synagogue. Alex is by profession an IT Network Consultant and has also worked as a lecturer in Mathematics and Computer science.
David Newman
Israel at Sixty - but just who and what is a contemporary Israeli? (Session 1)
Israel's next generation of leaders are young adults who were born at least forty years after the State of Israel was established. They are more global and less impacted by the ideology of the State founders who created the State in a post-Holocaust world. How does their vision of Israel differ from that of their grandparents' generation? What is their Identity as Israelis, Jews or World Citizens? And how do they relate to the changing nature of Israel Diaspora relations?
David Newman is professor of political geography in the Department of Politics and Government at Ben Gurion University in Israel. He is currently the editor of the International Journal of Geopolitics. Originally from the UK, he has lived in Israel since 1982. He is currently on sabbatical in London and represents Israel's universities in all matters related to the academic boycott.
Sue Pearl
Felt making (Young Limmud)
Making felt is fun - come and try out how Joseph's coat of many colours was probably made.
Sue Pearl is involved in all aspects of felt making, and runs workshops in schools throughout Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and London as well as in her own studio. She is a Oxford Adult Learning tutor and an outreach practitioner for the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham's education department and Brewery Arts in Cirencester. Further information about Sue and her work can be found on her website www.feltbetter.com
Charles Pickstone
Jewish artists, human themes - Mark Rothko, Marc Chagall (Session 5)
What it says on the packet!
Charles Pickstone is an Anglican priest and practising art critic who has written and lectured widely for many years on the theme of art & spirituality.
Gerry Power & Borris Zeto
Experiences in Israel's War of Independence. (Session 2)
Gerry volunteered for British Armed Forces in 1943 and served in Italy, Austria and then Germany until 1947. He helped in a Displaced Persons' Camp in Marseille and then went to Israel to fight in the War of Independence.
Elkan Presman
Should we waste our blessings? (Session 4)
The blessing is the basic building block of Jewish prayer. But though blessings are taught to children, they are rarely studied by adults. This session will examine, with the help of text and music, the idea of "blessing" in the life of a Jew. What's the point? So that we never waste a blessing again!
Now that Elkan has retired from the job of defending criminals in the courts, he has the opportunity to explore the key influences in his life: Chassidic, Misnagdic, Reform, Masorti, cantorial, Zionist, political and personal. Preparing to present this session at Limmud is part of that process.
Rosalind Preston
Family Relationships - changing inter-generational issues. (Session 3)
An opportunity to consider and discuss the problems and benefits of the fast changing structure of present day families - marriage, divorce, re-marriage; step-children; in-laws & 'out-laws'; single parents;non-married partnerships and what all this means in the context of to-day's Jewish community.
Rosalind Preston O,B.E. calls herself a Professional Volunteer. She has been actively involved in the Jewish and non-Jewish voluntary sector all her adult life - major interests include Israel/Zionism; Status of Women; Care of the Elderly; Inter Faith Dialogue.
Daniel Reisel
Why Darwin matters (Session 6)
What's so dangerous about Darwin's idea? What is it about the theory of evolution that so challenges our traditional system of values? This session will explore why Darwin poses such a threat to human value and meaning and to what extent common religious responses are adequate in dealing with the challenge. It will then suggest some tentative ideas for a new framework. No prior knowledge required. In memory of Peter Lipton, zichrono livracha.
Daniel Reisel is a fourth-year medical student at UCL. He has a PhD in Genetics and Behaviour from Oxford and a BA in Theology and Religious Studies from Cambridge. He is currently Vice Chair (Education) for the Jewish human rights organisation René Cassin.
Dan Rickman
What does the Mishnah say about non-Jews? (Session 6)
This session will provide a brief introduction to what the Mishnah is and who were the non-Jews of the period? This is a large subject so the aim will be to cover some themes and provide texts and references for anyone wishing to investigate further what the early rabbinic texts have to say about the "other".
Dan Rickman has an MA in Hebrew and Jewish Studies from London School of Jewish Studies/SOAS. He has been researching attitudes to non-Jews in rabbinic literature for several years and has written for the Jewish Chronicle about this topic as well as presenting on this subject at Limmud and the British Association of Jewish Studies conference.
Bryan Reuben
Deconstructing the 1948 War of Independence (Session 6)
Social groups have narratives through which they define their history and which underpin their attitudes. Thus the 1948 war looks entirely different through the eyes of Jews, Arabs and bystanders. Accounts by Yigal Allon, Howard Sacher, Avi Shlaim, Benny Morris, Glubb Pasha and others will be compared, and the basis of historical revisionism discussed. What can be said about the post-modernist teaching that all narratives are equally valid?
Bryan Reuben is Professor of Chemical Technology at London South Bank University. Since going emeritus (i.e. unpaid) he has written books on the chemical, pharmaceutical and process industries, and many letters to the press. He worries that, when professional historians write about events where he was present, there seems to be little correlation with what he remembers.
Anna Roth
Janus Korczak - Champion of the Child (Session 1)
Never heard of him before? It's a tragedy that many haven't. Find out about this incredible man who gave his life, quite literally, to children. A doctor, an educator, a journalist, a revolutionary and a true inspiration to all humanity. Find out how he influenced the world we live in.
With a background in Youth movements, Anna chose not to follow her chosen field of study - design, but spent time working for the Board of Deputies as Educational Projects Co-ordinator, then went on to become a teacher, working in a multi-faith school in Stanmore. Anna is now an Education Officer at the Jewish Museum, London, running the 'Discovering Judaism' programmes.
Sylvia Rothschild
Vashti, unsung heroine of the "just say no" movement (Session 6)
A look at the woman who kept the throne warm for Esther. Is that all she was?
Sylvia Rothschild was rabbi at Bromley Synagogue for sixteen years before moving to Wimbledon to pioneer a new model of the rabbinate with Rabbi Sybil Sheridan. After six years there, most people can now tell them apart. Her interests are in the creation of new rituals and liturgies, ethics (both Jewish and other) and in the continuing development of vibrant and happy Jewish life in South London.
David RomeMusic Music Music (Session 4)
This session will enable members of the audience to experience and listen to a mini concert of varying types of Jewish music through the eyes of Britain's youngest Cantor, from Chazanut to extremely modern compositions. This session will also provide you with the chance to learn a piece of Jewish music and to sing it as a choir in the finale.
David Rome is a cantor at Ilford United Synagogue. Aged 21, he is the youngest Chazan in the United Synagogue. He also acts as Cantor at Mill Hill Synagogue, is a soloist with the London Cantorial Singers, and Director of Nussach at Hasmonean School. An accomplished pianist and vocalist, David also performs music ranging from jazz to liturgical. He is currently studying at UCL.
Sybil Sheridan
The strange story of Serach bat Asher (Session 2)
One of the most minor characters in Torah, Serach bat Asher takes on a life of her own in midrash and later literature where her skills and knowledge come to rival that of Abraham and Elijah. Here is a woman ripe for role model status. Let's find a way to make this happen.
Sybil Sheridan is one half (along with Sylvia Rothschild) of the Rabbi of the Wimbledon and District Synagogue. She lectures at Leo Baeck College and is Jewish Chaplain at Roehampton University. She is married to Jonathan Romain and has four sons.
Leon Smith
Aging in the Jewish World (Session 4)
This session will cover a number of issues relevant to aging within the Jewish community, for example: The history of Jewish welfare provision for older people in the London area; Demographic trends and their implications; The growing impact of dementia; The choices: Own home (?) - Care home (?) - Extracare Housing (?); Current welfare provision within the community; Explanations of eligibility criteria and the funding system; The role of the voluntary sector; The regulatory framework and impact of legislation .
Leon Smith has spent his entire working life at Nightingale. He joined in 1973 as an Administrative Assistant having completed a year's voluntary work on various Kibbutizm in Israel. He became Chief Executive in 1998. He has been a member of the Board of Deputies and is a Director of the English Community Care Association - a national lobbying body for the care home sector.
Cynthia Steuer & Avril Mailer
What makes Jewish women mad - or glad? (This session is for women only) (Session 5)
The Jewish Women's Network showcases their popular Guide for running workshops and discussion groups for women - for you to experience, enjoy and take away to use. Short extracts from the prize-winning work of two funny, feisty and controversial women who challenge with affection their lives as Jewish women in Britain, will be the spur for you to have your say in the special way which has enthused women at Limmuds around the UK and beyond.
Cynthia's co-presenter is Avril Mailer.
Jennie Sugarman
Israeli dancing for all abilities (Session 4)
Come and join in and enjoy the lively music, and exercise.
Jennie Sugarman is a P.E. teacher who has been teaching Israeli Dancing for many years to both adults and schoolchildren. She works at a school in Croydon where she has taught the dancing to most year groups.
Malcolm Weisman
1000 years of Anglo-Jewish history in 45 minutes (Session 2)
A bird's eye view of the history of Anglo-Jewry designed to encourage people to pursue the topic in greater detail. It is a high-speed basic summary of major facts.
Malcolm Weisman OBE is Senior Jewish Chaplain to HM Forces, visiting Minister to small communities in the UK and the Commonwealth, and chaplain to Oxford and new Universities, as well as being a Fellow of Essex and Lancaster Universities. As President of NATO Chiefs of Air Forces Chaplains' Committee and a trustee of the Council of Christians and Jews and member of the Three Faiths Forum Advisory Committee, he is very active in inter-faith work nationally and internationally.
Monica Weil
Music workshop for young children 4-9 years (Young Limmud)
Singing, dancing, playing drumming instruments, mainly non-Israeli song
Monica Weil grew up in Sweden and studied music for seven years, including four years at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm. In 1995 Monica started her own classes for small children at home. She successfully runs weekly music classes for toddlers, after-school recorder clubs for ages 7 to 9, and, her latest development, a recorder club for mothers. The classes are held in a purpose-built music room. www.creativemonicamusic.co.uk
Jonathan Wittenberg
Tikkun Olam as a religious obligation - Why bother with mending the world? (Session 2)
We will explore the early rabbinic use of the words Tikkun Olam and travel from them to the implications of the term today. Tikkun Olam, Social Action is an increasingly important gateway into Judaism for many people. Why are they right, what can we do, and why is this a Jewish and a spiritual issue?
Jonathan Wittenberg is rabbi of the New North London Masorti Synagogue and senior rabbi of the Masorti Movement. His interests include pastoral care, inter-faith work and the environment. He recently completed a 100 mile walk with his dog Motzpah, visiting nearly thirty charitable, faith and inter-faith organisations.
Borris Zeto & Gerry Power
Experiences in Israel's War of Independence. (Session 2)