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 of learning 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 catch phrase behind Limmud is “every Jew should be a student and everyone can be a teacher”. This seems very much to capture what our organising 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 formalised 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.

We’ve got an exciting line-up this year, with presenters from near and far, presenting on a diverse range of scintillating topics. Check the Limmud’s website for the  programme , photos, presenter bios, and registration details.

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 of learning 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 catch phrase behind Limmud is “every Jew should be a student and everyone can be a teacher”. This seems very much to capture what our organising 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 formalised 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.

We’ve got an exciting line-up this year, with presenters from near and far, presenting on a diverse range of scintillating topics. Check the facebook page and the blog for frequent updates, photos, presenter bios, and registration details.

The AGM will be followed by a “once in a lifetime” chance to hear our international guest speaker, Moty Cristal – one of Israel’s leading negotiation experts, and the keynote speaker at the 2012 American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Conference in Washington DC.

A dynamic and engaging speaker, Mr. Cristal served in various official capacities in Israeli negotiation teams with Jordan and the Palestinians, from 1994 to 2001, and experienced years of intense negotiations. He was also involved in negotiations with Palestinian terrorists at the Church of Nativity, Bethlehem. It took the Israelis 40 days to finalise the agreement to resolve this potentially explosive crisis.

Since 2001, Mr. Cristal has advised, consulted and trained business people, CEOs and senior government officials in Europe, Russia and CIS, US and Asia in analysing, planning and designing complex negotiation processes.

We would kindly request that you RSVP to tanyahart@xtra.co.nz by July 14 if you are planning to attend. Friends, family and colleagues who are not members of Hadassah are also most welcome to attend. (Suggested donation = $10 for non-members.)

Moty Cristal’s appearance has been made possible by the Arbitrators’ and Mediators Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ) which is bringing him to New Zealand with funding from the New Zealand Law Foundation.

A lecture series aimed at educating and bringing Wellington’s Jewish community together is flourishing.

Kia Ora Torah, began last year, and is going from strength-to-strength, attracting about 40 guests per lecture.

The multidisciplinary Limmud–style lectures take place every Monday night at The Realm, Hataitai’s watering-hole.

Jeremy Smith, the Realm’s owner, is also the president of Temple Sinai, Wellington’s Progressive Jewish Congregation.

Kia Ora Torah co-ordinator, Michelle Gezentsvey Lamy hopes the series will foster a sense of community, and make guests feel proud of their Jewish heritage.

“The most amazing thing is we’re inviting capable people from our community to share their knowledge with us.”

Speakers have included Steven Sedley and Luca Quaglia, Dr Hal Levine, Rabbi Adi Cohen, and JoEllen Dukor on such subjects as the history of Jews in Hungary and Italy, reactions to shechita restrictions, Jewish sex, mother and baby, and Jewish meditation.

Dr Gezentsvey Lamy was inspired to start the group after she and her husband attended an adult Jewish education course at the Orthodox centre Edmond Fleg in Paris.

Leon Ben Baruk will be speaking about North African Jewry.

He will be commuting from Wanganui for the presentation, and Dr Gezentsvey Lamy says this illustrates the wide perspective of speakers to the group.

In August we will resume showing the award winning documentary series Heritage.  We will be presenting Episode 8, “Out of the Ashes” which covers the Holocaust.  “Out of the ashes comes the understanding that no one’s life can be guaranteed without constant struggle.”  Out of the Ashes attempts to treat the Holocaust not only as a devastating memory of yesterday, but as a profound challenge of today.

https://www.nzfoi.org/event/757-2/

Many Christians are surprised to find out that Jesus was a Jew, speaking to Jews, in their cultural context.  Ha Yesod is a course that respectfully explores the Jewish foundation of Christianity. Comprehensive workbooks, lesson guides, and additional supplementary materials make this program one of the most well-rounded and comprehensive courses in this area of biblical studies.

This bible study is starting on Monday 15 July 2013.  Venue to be announced.  There are only a few spaces left, so email  contact@nzfoi.org or call (021) 0224 2515 if you would like to enrol.

There is a cost of $20 for each workbook.

Hi Folks

There is no members meeting this month.  NZFOI is in recess over July.  Back in August.

Until then, shalom.

A unique New Zealand-Produced Holocaust Exhibition, is being held at AUT.

Shadows of Shoah is an artistic educational project, communicating the gravity and significance of the Holocaust in a unique way. Using photography and original music, selected episodes from survivors’ experiences are presented in a brief, compelling format designed to reach a generation for whom the Holocaust holds little historical relevance, significance, or true understanding.

See also:  http://shadowsofshoah.com/