Here is a calendar of upcoming events, up and down the country. Some are organized by us, others by like-minded organizations and groups.
We are pleased to welcome author, Lynley Smith to address the Society on December 1.
After finding a tenuous family connection to the mysterious and captivating Jane Haining, Lynley Smith crafted Jane’s fictionalized diary, a biography of a faithful servant and Scottish missionary who died at the hands of Nazi butchers in Auschwitz Concentration Camp during World War II, in the inspirational and bittersweet From Matron to Martyr.
One of Jane Haining’s best friends was Frances Warburton Lee, who ended up in the same prison cell as Jane in Budapest. Frances moved to Christchurch after the war and settled in Christchurch.
Jane’s story has had moved the hearts of many. In December she will be speaking at the Holocaust Centre for New Zealand in Wellington. The second largest publisher in Hungary has agreed to translate and publish the story, and sell it in their numerous bookshops throughout Hungary. The Budapest Holocaust Centre also plans to launch the book in June next year.
AS HANUKKAH ALSO STARTS AT THE SAME TIME, PLEASE BRING ALONG A PLATE OF APPROPRIATE FINGER FOOD TO MARK THE OCCASION
We would like to inform you of a Peace Rally that is being organised in Wellington.
WHEN: 12pm, Friday July 18th
WHERE: Midland Park, Cnr of Johnston Street and Lambton Quay, Wellington 6011
PURPOSE: This is a rally in support of Israel’s right and responsibility to defend her citizens. Israel was never the aggressor in this conflict, but the defender.
WHAT TO BRING: There is a chance of rain so bring jacket and/or umbrella.
You can read more about it here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1483996181843645/. Here are some additional details:
- The Theme/Slogan for this event is: “New Zealanders support the right of Israel to live in peace”
- Placards and banners must support this theme.
- We do not want to venture into anything negative about Palestinians or Hamas. this will only serve to steal away from the positive message of peace.
- We encourage everyone to bring as many New Zealand and Israel flags as possible. We want there to be mix of both.
- We are aiming for the high road; no shouting and of course, no violence. We will operate in the opposite spirit.
- If Pro-Palestinian protesters catch wind of our rally and try to disturb us, we would like our response to be one of silence. If they come close and begin shouting, we have agreed we will all turn our backs towards them and continue as best we can with our rally. Not shouting matches, no eyeballing, opposite spirit.
Feel free to pass this message on to other friends and supporters of Israel in the Wellington area.
If you have any further questions, please contact Tony Martin (kingscause@gmail.com).
Limmud is a cross-communal ‘festival of learning’ which last year attracted over 25000 participants to its events, held across five continents, in almost forty countries. It started in the UK 30 years ago where the annual five-day event now attracts 2,500 people from across the religious spectrum and boasts 350 presenters offering some 900 sessions.
Limmud aims to enable each participant to go one step further on their own Jewish journey. One of the key principles behind what has now become an international cross-communal movement is that we all have something to contribute and can learn from each other. Presenters are treated as part of the community, they are volunteers like those who organise the events and all are rewarded by the opportunity to learn from each other. Becoming Limmud NZ makes us part of an exciting worldwide movement.
Limmud has core principles that we feel reflect our community. The catchphrase behind Limmud is “Every Jew should be a student and everyone can be a teacher”. This seems very much to capture what our organizing committee believes, and we are eager for more local presenters to put themselves forward and to encourage people to volunteer. Even an hour will make a huge difference to the success of the first Limmud conference on 18/19 August. Expanding Jewish horizons, empowering individuals to contribute to their community and enabling connections to be made between individuals and across communities are the values behind Limmud International and behind Limmud NZ. We also love the emphasis on ensuring all participants feel equally respected and comfortable at Limmud, no matter which shul they go to, or don’t go to. All Limmud events will be strictly kosher to enable participants to eat and enjoy together.
Limmud, of course, means learning and it is about learning but not in a formalized way. The great thing about the format is it is “pick and mix”. Each session runs for an hour, and there are five different streams to choose from.You just pick what you want to go to – discussion of an ethical dilemma with local and international experts, an intimate text study, a film discussion, or sessions relating to parenting issues. If you need a break for a session, grab a coffee and schmooze. The only thing we can’t do for you is arrange for you to be at two sessions at once – although some sessions are repeated.
Keep these dates free, more information to come.