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Take a look at our interactive schedule! You can view it as a grid, as a list, or in detailed format. Hover over the session name to find out who is presenting it. Tag the sessions you’re interested in and see what your friends are going to! Browsing on a smartphone? Click here to download a mobile web app version of the schedule and take it with you on the day!
Saturday, August 18
 

12:30pm NZST

Lunch & Learn
Location: LIMMUD Lounge
Presenter/s
avatar for Samuel Altschul

Samuel Altschul

Rabbi Samuel Altschul is the Senior Rabbi of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation. He received Smicha (Rabbinical ordination) from Harav Daniel Channen, Yeshivat Pirchei Shoshanim, Bnei Brak, Israel. He holds an MA in philosophy and a BA in Comparative Religious Studies from Universities... Read More →
avatar for Geoffrey Beinart-Smollan
avatar for Sam Bookman

Sam Bookman

Sam is studying law at Auckland University, and in his spare time he is employed by the Auckland Students' Union, a member of the Goldwater Trust and teaches matters of Judaica to children at Kadimah School and privately. He is a former Bnei Akiva madrich and also a champion debater. As... Read More →
avatar for Adi Cohen

Adi Cohen

Rabbi Adi Cohen is the Rabbi of Temple Sinai, the Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation. He was previously the Rabbi of Brit Olam, a Progressive Jewish congregation in Kiryat On, Israel. He has also taught law and Jewish ethics at Metro West High School in Ra'anana, and worked... Read More →
avatar for Ittay Flescher

Ittay Flescher

Israeli born Ittay Flescher has been exploring and observing Jewish life for as long as he can remember. He currently teaches at Mount Scopus Memorial College, the Jewish Museum of Australia's Adult Education program and the Ayeka program for secular Jewish learning. In 2007... Read More →
avatar for Linda Kaye

Linda Kaye

Linda Kaye has been involved in Auckland Jewish community life since her childhood. She is a member of Beth Shalom, where she was a b'nei mitzvah teacher and chair of the Burial and Benevolent Society, before retiring to live in the North Hokianga. During the past ten years she has... Read More →
avatar for Mandy Lawrence

Mandy Lawrence

Mandy Lawrence holds degrees in philosophy and psychology and has many years of teaching experience, incuding teaching with the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School programme and facilitating the Bat Mitzvah programme at the Great Synagogue in Sydney. Before relocating to Sydney, Mandy... Read More →
avatar for Samuel Lebens

Samuel Lebens

Samuel Lebens holds a PhD in metaphysics and logic from the University of London, and has spent 5 years learning in yeshivot. He is a modern-orthodox educator, philosopher, political commentator and playwright. Originally from the UK, he now lives in Israel.
avatar for Sarah Livschitz

Sarah Livschitz

Sarah Livschitz is a madricha in Auckland and Rosh Messimah (Head of Social Action) in Habonim Dror. She has been an active member and youth leader in Beth Shalom for a number of years, and went on Shnat Hachshara (Habonim Dror's year in Israel) in 2011. Sarah is currently studying... Read More →
avatar for Sheila Weinberg

Sheila Weinberg

Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg is a founder of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS), as well as a poet, educator and internationally recognized pioneer in contemplative practice. She has published widely on feminism, Judaism, spirituality and single parenting, and has contributed... Read More →

Saturday August 18, 2012 12:30pm - 2:13pm NZST
1
  Saturday, Meal

2:15pm NZST

From Rationalist to (Not Quite) Hassid
Location: Small Shul

How does a hard-nosed analytical philosopher, trained in the rationalism of contemporary English-speaking philosophy react to the airy-fairy-mumbo-jumbo spiritual world of Hassidism? How do the words of the anti-philosophical Polish masters bring a person from thinking Hassidic writing to be pretty much a bunch of meaningless phrases put together because they sound nice, to thinking that Hassidut has something profound to say about what the heart and soul of Judaism is always was, and should be? Come and look at some of the texts that almost make me want to grow by beard long!
Presenter/s
avatar for Samuel Lebens

Samuel Lebens

Samuel Lebens holds a PhD in metaphysics and logic from the University of London, and has spent 5 years learning in yeshivot. He is a modern-orthodox educator, philosopher, political commentator and playwright. Originally from the UK, he now lives in Israel.

Saturday August 18, 2012 2:15pm - 3:15pm NZST
1
  Saturday, Lo

2:15pm NZST

Managing your Life and Soul with the Rambam
Location: MR

Maimonides, one of the must important philosophers in the Jewish world, was also one of the best doctors of his times. The combination of the two reflects in many ways on his sociological and spiritual approach to managing the human condition on a daily basis. What can we learn from the wisdom of the past? Is there a Jewish way to serenity? This session will be an introduction to the Maimonides fascinating "Golden Path".
Presenter/s
avatar for Adi Cohen

Adi Cohen

Rabbi Adi Cohen is the Rabbi of Temple Sinai, the Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation. He was previously the Rabbi of Brit Olam, a Progressive Jewish congregation in Kiryat On, Israel. He has also taught law and Jewish ethics at Metro West High School in Ra'anana, and worked... Read More →

Saturday August 18, 2012 2:15pm - 3:15pm NZST
3
  Saturday

2:15pm NZST

Sporting Success? Jews & the Olympic Games
Location: Tent

To coincide with ‘London 2012’, Brandon Nementzik sets out to investigate the history of Jewish sporting success at the Olympic Games. He unravels an under-acknowledged catalogue of stories set against the backdrop of pivotal events in modern Jewish history. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Brandon Nementzik

Brandon Nementzik

Brandon Nementzik grew up in Cape Town and moved to New Zealand 25 years ago. He is a longstanding member of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation. He is married to Susan and they have two daughters, Anna and Laura. He is an avid armchair sports fan and enjoys running and table-tennis... Read More →

Saturday August 18, 2012 2:15pm - 3:15pm NZST
2
  Saturday

3:30pm NZST

Are Strong Women Born or Made? The Book of Esther, Session 1
Location: Small Shul

This session will look at the development of Esther from "dumb blonde" to Wonder Woman & ask if she always had it in her.

This is the first of a short course of three related sessions which will take a fresh look at a familiar story, the book of Esther, exploring the contribution that traditional commentaries such as midrash can make towards a mature understanding of the characters involved. The sessions will use guided text- based discussions to bring the characters of Esther, Vashti & Ahashverosh to life.

Each session is self- contained and no prior experience of text- based learning is required but audience participation is encouraged.
Presenter/s
avatar for Mandy Lawrence

Mandy Lawrence

Mandy Lawrence holds degrees in philosophy and psychology and has many years of teaching experience, incuding teaching with the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School programme and facilitating the Bat Mitzvah programme at the Great Synagogue in Sydney. Before relocating to Sydney, Mandy... Read More →

Saturday August 18, 2012 3:30pm - 4:28pm NZST
3
  Saturday

3:30pm NZST

Jewish Meditation
Location: LIMMUD Lounge

Jewish contemplative techniques help us experience the present fully and develop qualities of wisdom, compassion and kindness from a Jewish perspective. Being "in the present" helps us experience the Divine Presence. This is a practical and contemplative session to enhance your Shabbat experience. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Sheila Weinberg

Sheila Weinberg

Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg is a founder of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS), as well as a poet, educator and internationally recognized pioneer in contemplative practice. She has published widely on feminism, Judaism, spirituality and single parenting, and has contributed... Read More →

Saturday August 18, 2012 3:30pm - 4:28pm NZST
1
  Saturday

3:30pm NZST

Stories of Peace and Shabbat
Location: MR

A gathering of stories personal and traditional performed by Robbie Gringras. A "virtuoso performance of physical story theatre" (Jerusalem Post) (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Robbie Gringras

Robbie Gringras

Robbie Gringras is a British-Israeli writer, performer, and educator. His plays have performed throughout the world in English, Spanish, and Hebrew. He works as Artist-in-Residence with Makom, and is chief editor/writer of www.makom.haaretz.com. Robbie has survived Habonim, Oxford... Read More →

Saturday August 18, 2012 3:30pm - 4:28pm NZST
2
  Saturday

4:30pm NZST

Seuda Shlishit/Singing
Location: Tent

Join us for Seudah Shlishit (the third meal) - and singing if you are in the mood, or just enjoy some Shabbat schmoozing.
Saturday August 18, 2012 4:30pm - 5:28pm NZST
1
  Saturday, Meal

4:45pm NZST

The Stories Behind 'Tracing'
Location: Small Shul

Helen Schamroth ONZM is exhibiting works from her exhibition 'Tracing' which was exhibited last year in Auckland and the Jewish Museum, Melbourne. The daughter of Holocaust survivors Martha and Feliks Ash, she recently visited Poland and Ukraine where she researched her family history. These works are about the search and the narrative is expressed through the use of textiles.
Presenter/s
avatar for Helen Schamroth

Helen Schamroth

Helen, ONZM, is an artist, writer, arts consultant and curator.  Her exhibition ‘Tracing’ was shown at Northart and the Jewish Museum Melbourne (2011). The daughter of Holocaust survivors Martha and Feliks Ash, the works derive from family research in Poland and Ukraine. The narrative... Read More →

Saturday August 18, 2012 4:45pm - 5:15pm NZST
2
  Saturday

5:30pm NZST

How can you have free will if God already knows what you are going to do?
Location: Small Shul

If God knows what you're going to do before you even do it, then how can you be free to do otherwise? If God already knows your future, then your future is not yours to write. In this class we'll discuss the major moves that the Medieval Jewish philosophers made in response to this theological riddle - a classical philosophical question made friendly. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Samuel Lebens

Samuel Lebens

Samuel Lebens holds a PhD in metaphysics and logic from the University of London, and has spent 5 years learning in yeshivot. He is a modern-orthodox educator, philosopher, political commentator and playwright. Originally from the UK, he now lives in Israel.

Saturday August 18, 2012 5:30pm - 6:28pm NZST
2
  Saturday

5:30pm NZST

Israel, New Zealand & Me
Location: Tent

Rachel Korpus and Colin Bulka share their experiences, vision and practical ideas on creating a great Jewish community in New Zealand,how we do it differently over here and why our model has something to teach the Jewish world. Colin - madrich to many NZ Machon and Shnat groups and visiting from the Jewish Agency - will share his perspective on New Zealand Jewish leadership and growth and Rachel Korpus will share her experiences from growing up in, living and working in the New Zealand Jewish community. This discussion session will be facilitated by Osnat Dvorkin, who brings her own perspective to the situation, as an Israeli who has worked with many sectors of the community since beginning shlichut here two years ago. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Colin Bulka

Colin Bulka

Colin is currently the Director of the Jewish Agency's Machon L'Madrichim programme in Jerusalem. He's an informal educator who grew up in London, made Aliyah in 1992 and since then has worked primarily with Zionist youth movement long term programmes. He is a graduate of the Jerusalem... Read More →
avatar for Osnat Dvorkin

Osnat Dvorkin

Osnat Dvorkin is the Zionist Federation of New Zealand community, Habo and Aliya Shlicha. She has a BA from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Jewish Philosophy and Art History. Osnat has worked as a Communities director for the Young Shlichim unit of the Jewish Agency. As such... Read More →
avatar for Rachel Korpus

Rachel Korpus

Rachel Korpus is the current President of Zionist Federation of New Zealand (ZFNZ). Rachel runs the ZFNZ on a voluntary basis and is in her fourth term as President. Under her Presidency, the ZFNZ has grown to be the largest informal education provider for the New Zealand Jewish Community... Read More →

Saturday August 18, 2012 5:30pm - 6:28pm NZST
1
  Saturday

5:30pm NZST

Mindfulness & Ageing
Location: LIMMUD Lounge

Mindfulness is a sense of awareness of our actions, thoughts and feelings as we experience our lives. Come and learn how the practice of Jewish mindfulness can helps us to fully engage in all aspects of our life and to enhance the experience of living right through our lives, with particular emphasis on the delights and challenges of ageing.
Presenter/s
avatar for Sheila Weinberg

Sheila Weinberg

Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg is a founder of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS), as well as a poet, educator and internationally recognized pioneer in contemplative practice. She has published widely on feminism, Judaism, spirituality and single parenting, and has contributed... Read More →

Saturday August 18, 2012 5:30pm - 6:28pm NZST
3
  Saturday

6:30pm NZST

Ma'ariv
Location: Small Shul

Saturday August 18, 2012 6:30pm - 6:48pm NZST
1
  Saturday, Prayer

6:50pm NZST

Havdalah
Location: Foyer

Join us to send Shabbat out in style and usher in our Motzei Shabbat evening of culture and learning together. There will be a bite to eat!
Presenter/s
avatar for Osnat Dvorkin

Osnat Dvorkin

Osnat Dvorkin is the Zionist Federation of New Zealand community, Habo and Aliya Shlicha. She has a BA from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Jewish Philosophy and Art History. Osnat has worked as a Communities director for the Young Shlichim unit of the Jewish Agency. As such... Read More →
avatar for Ittay Flescher

Ittay Flescher

Israeli born Ittay Flescher has been exploring and observing Jewish life for as long as he can remember. He currently teaches at Mount Scopus Memorial College, the Jewish Museum of Australia's Adult Education program and the Ayeka program for secular Jewish learning. In 2007... Read More →

Saturday August 18, 2012 6:50pm - 7:28pm NZST
1
  Saturday, Prayer, Meal

7:30pm NZST

Visioning the Divine
Location: MR

This session will explore how Man visions the Divine in text, symbols, architecture and art. It will focus on the marked difference in Jewish and Christian tradition, the concepts of representation and idolatry, and the evolution from animism to polytheism to anthropomorphic to monotheistic to abstract visions of the Divine. The lecture will have extensive image content.
Presenter/s
avatar for Charles Justin

Charles Justin

Charles Justin is an architect and cofounder of SJB Architects, a major practice with offices in Melbourne and Sydney. He is a collector of contemporary art and is a past president of the Jewish Museum of Australia.

Saturday August 18, 2012 7:30pm - 8:30pm NZST
2
  Saturday

7:30pm NZST

About the Oranges
Location: LIMMUD Lounge

Internationally renowned solo tragic comedy about a shaliach Aliyah and a suicide bomber: "a one-man theatrical border conflict, with Gringras madly stomping across national, political and generational lines -- not to mention the jagged one that divides laughter and pain." Vancouver Sun

Not suitable for children.
Presenter/s
avatar for Robbie Gringras

Robbie Gringras

Robbie Gringras is a British-Israeli writer, performer, and educator. His plays have performed throughout the world in English, Spanish, and Hebrew. He works as Artist-in-Residence with Makom, and is chief editor/writer of www.makom.haaretz.com. Robbie has survived Habonim, Oxford... Read More →

Saturday August 18, 2012 7:30pm - 8:45pm NZST
1
  Saturday, Theatre

7:30pm NZST

Short Film: The Garden of the Finzi-Cortinis
Location: Cinema

This film is a portrait of a tragic time for Italian Jews, as lived by a group of young people coming of age in the city of Ferrara during the time of the Fascist racial laws and culminating in the Holocaust. 94 mins, with subtitles. This film will be the subject of a presentation by Daniela Cavallaro on Sunday at LIMMUD.
Saturday August 18, 2012 7:30pm - 10:00pm NZST
3
  Saturday, Film

9:00pm NZST

Music in the Tent
Location: Tent

Join Jonathan Besser on keyboard, Chris Prosser on fiddle and Yair Katz on drums in the tent for Klezmer and other Jewish musical inspirations for a lively end to your evening.
Presenter/s
avatar for Jonathan Besser

Jonathan Besser

Jonathan Besser, originally from New York, has years of experience collaborating with his own instrumentalists. He comes to the fore in Gimel as a presenter and pianist - a new sounding contemporary music and group dynamic that he has been developing for nearly a year. Gimel's music... Read More →
avatar for Yair Katz
avatar for Chris Prosser

Chris Prosser

Chris Prosser is a violinist-composer who writes music primarily to perform and record himself, as solo artist and in collaboration.  

Saturday August 18, 2012 9:00pm - 10:00pm NZST
2
  Saturday, Music

9:00pm NZST

The Prophet and the Prostitute
Location: Small Shul

A look at the book of Hosea through bibliodrama and a look at some suprising texts about the relationship between the Jewish people, prophecy and prostitution. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Samuel Lebens

Samuel Lebens

Samuel Lebens holds a PhD in metaphysics and logic from the University of London, and has spent 5 years learning in yeshivot. He is a modern-orthodox educator, philosopher, political commentator and playwright. Originally from the UK, he now lives in Israel.

Saturday August 18, 2012 9:00pm - 10:00pm NZST
1
  Saturday
 
Sunday, August 19
 

8:00am NZST

Registration, Coffee
Sunday August 19, 2012 8:00am - 8:30am NZST
1
  Sunday

8:30am NZST

Welcome
Location: LIMMUD Lounge

Sunday August 19, 2012 8:30am - 8:58am NZST
1
  Sunday

9:00am NZST

A Guide to the Guide (for the Perplexed)
Location: MR

Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed is itself a perplexing work. In this session, we'll try to unlock its secrets, looking at its philosophy of language, its proofs for God's existence, and its rationalisation of commandments. How relevant is this book today for our lives as Jews in search of God? (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Samuel Lebens

Samuel Lebens

Samuel Lebens holds a PhD in metaphysics and logic from the University of London, and has spent 5 years learning in yeshivot. He is a modern-orthodox educator, philosopher, political commentator and playwright. Originally from the UK, he now lives in Israel.

Sunday August 19, 2012 9:00am - 10:00am NZST
2
  Sunday

9:00am NZST

A Taste of Yiddish
Location: R4

An entertaining and educational "sortie" into some Yiddish language through song and discussion. If your Yiddish is rusty expect it to feel a little less so after our session. If you only know a few expletives in Yiddish come out of our session with a sense of its beauty. If you are merely curious come in - you never know you might find some "farginegan " (pleasure) at our session.
Presenter/s
avatar for Sara Nevezie

Sara Nevezie

Sara was born in Hastings to parents who suffered in the Holocaust, and through complex means arrived in NZ to a small "shtetl" like community of Yiddish speaking immigrants. A relative in Paris regularly sent vinyl recordings of Yiddish music. “As a family we sang and danced to... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 9:00am - 10:00am NZST
3
  Sunday

9:00am NZST

Surprisingly Happy - A Spiritual Autobiography
Location: R7

Sheila Weinberg will discuss her own journey as told in her book, "Surprisingly Happy: An Atypical Religious Memoir". Listen to Sheila share snapshots of her life, her search to find God, her spiritual quests through yoga and meditation and her struggles with life's challenges. This is an opportunity for participants to share their own journeys.
Presenter/s
avatar for Sheila Weinberg

Sheila Weinberg

Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg is a founder of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS), as well as a poet, educator and internationally recognized pioneer in contemplative practice. She has published widely on feminism, Judaism, spirituality and single parenting, and has contributed... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 9:00am - 10:00am NZST
5
  Sunday

9:00am NZST

The clash of Liberalism & Zionism
Location: R6

How do we/can we/should we square the circle between Zionism and Liberalism? Do these two ideas - central to the welfare of the Jewish People in the past hundred years - still play well together? We'll explore these questions together honestly and rigorously through text, video, presentation and friendly argument! (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Robbie Gringras

Robbie Gringras

Robbie Gringras is a British-Israeli writer, performer, and educator. His plays have performed throughout the world in English, Spanish, and Hebrew. He works as Artist-in-Residence with Makom, and is chief editor/writer of www.makom.haaretz.com. Robbie has survived Habonim, Oxford... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 9:00am - 10:00am NZST
6
  Sunday

9:00am NZST

The demonisation of Vashti. The Book of Esther, Session 2
Location: JS

The Rabbis have historically vilified Vashti but is she just misunderstood? Could Vashti be the unlikely heroine of a modern reading?

This is the second of a short course of three related but self-contained sessions which will take a fresh look at a familiar story, the book of Esther, exploring the contribution that traditional commentaries such as midrash can make towards a mature understanding of the characters involved. The sessions will use guided text- based discussions to bring the characters of Esther, Vashti & Ahashverosh to life.

Each session is self- contained and no prior experience of text- based learning is required but audience participation is encouraged.

Presenter/s
avatar for Mandy Lawrence

Mandy Lawrence

Mandy Lawrence holds degrees in philosophy and psychology and has many years of teaching experience, incuding teaching with the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School programme and facilitating the Bat Mitzvah programme at the Great Synagogue in Sydney. Before relocating to Sydney, Mandy... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 9:00am - 10:00am NZST
1
  Sunday

9:00am NZST

Unlocking the Talmudic page – understanding the Jewish hypertext
Location: R3

The Babylonian Talmud is a complex text representing centuries of Jewish life and thought. The Talmudic page represents a distillation of Jewish knowledge that was assembled over a millennium. How can we unlock the wisdom of the past and better understand this enigmatic text? This session will be dedicated to the evolution of the Talmud from its origins as oral knowledge to the hyper text as we know today.
Presenter/s
avatar for Adi Cohen

Adi Cohen

Rabbi Adi Cohen is the Rabbi of Temple Sinai, the Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation. He was previously the Rabbi of Brit Olam, a Progressive Jewish congregation in Kiryat On, Israel. He has also taught law and Jewish ethics at Metro West High School in Ra'anana, and worked... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 9:00am - 10:00am NZST
4
  Sunday

10:15am NZST

Anna Funder and Jacqueline Knight-Klisser in conversation
Location: LIMMUD Lounge

Anna Funder (by Skype) will be in discussion with Jacqueline Knight-Klisser about her latest novel, ‘All That I Am’ and her previous work, ‘Stasiland’; they will also discuss the role of novelists as catalysers or chroniclers of political change.
Presenter/s
avatar for Anna Funder

Anna Funder

Anna Funder grew up in Melbourne and is an author and international lawyer specializing in human rights and constitutional law. She is the prizewinning author of Stasiland: Stories from Behind the Berlin Wall, which has been published in twenty countries and translated into sixteen... Read More →
avatar for Jacqueline Knight-Klisser

Jacqueline Knight-Klisser

Jacqueline Knight-Klisser, was born in New Zealand to Dutch parents that met here after WW11. Her father, Han Klisser, is a Holocaust survivor who was orphaned at 16, the sole survivor of his immediate family. Her mother, Janna Klisser-Dettingmeijer, is from Rotterdam, a city that... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 10:15am - 11:15am NZST
2
  Sunday

10:15am NZST

Are we all thieves? - Intellectual Property & Halacha
Location: MR

In this cyber age we are living in everyone downloads material from the Internet, borrows CDs and uses the software on their own computer. Is this OK from a Jewish perspective? Can you borrow a “secret” family recipe and then pass it on to third person? If you are entrusted with special technical knowledge from a friend can you use it for yourself and even share it with third person?

We will be looking at the concept of intellectual property in Jewish law through scenarios and sources and try to find out: Are we all criminals?

Presenter/s
avatar for Samuel Altschul

Samuel Altschul

Rabbi Samuel Altschul is the Senior Rabbi of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation. He received Smicha (Rabbinical ordination) from Harav Daniel Channen, Yeshivat Pirchei Shoshanim, Bnei Brak, Israel. He holds an MA in philosophy and a BA in Comparative Religious Studies from Universities... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 10:15am - 11:15am NZST
6
  Sunday

10:15am NZST

Avodah Aravit - An Arab comedian’s view of Israel
Location: JS

Avodah Aravit is a popular sitcom about the life of an Arab in Israel. The sitcom deals unflinchingly with the hot topics in Israel today: racism, equality, women’s rights, crime, radical Islam and everything else and with a lot of humor. “Arab Labour” is a hit both with Jews and Arabs. We will watch clips from the show and between the laughs try to understand the moral of the story. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Osnat Dvorkin

Osnat Dvorkin

Osnat Dvorkin is the Zionist Federation of New Zealand community, Habo and Aliya Shlicha. She has a BA from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Jewish Philosophy and Art History. Osnat has worked as a Communities director for the Young Shlichim unit of the Jewish Agency. As such... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 10:15am - 11:15am NZST
3
  Sunday

10:15am NZST

Can Art Heal?
Location: R7

Since the beginning of time, art and the creative energy behind it has captured our imagination. Creative energy has the power to provide insight into our lives. When words are not enough we turn to images and symbols to speak for us. Can the way we create art, share it and give meaning to our creation, heal? In this session we will talk about what art therapy is and how it occurs, incuding discussion of an Israeli war film which acts as therapy for the filmmaker. We will experience a short group art therapy session using different techniques. Limited to 10 people!
Presenter/s
avatar for Limor Fybish

Limor Fybish

Limor is an Israeli-trained Art Therapist who holds a BA in social science, focusing in psychology and P.G.Dip in Art Therapy. Limor worked in the Israeli Ministry of Education. Her areas of interest and expertise include individual and group therapy with children, teenagers and their... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 10:15am - 11:15am NZST
5
  Sunday

10:15am NZST

Jews & Freedom of Religion
Location: R3

Almost every one of the 193 nations of the UN are signatories to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and later conventions and charters, and in addition have domestic legal systems that outlaw discrimination on religious grounds and grant citizens the right to practice their religion. In practice, these religious rights are often balanced against other competing human rights with religious rights taking second place. The recent decision in Germany about circumcision and debates and decisions about shechita raise the issue of just how robust and secure these religious rights are. This address will explore how Jewish communities might respond and the nature of these challenges.
Presenter/s
avatar for Paul Morris

Paul Morris

Paul Morris is a Professor in the School of Art History, Classics and Religious Studies at Victoria University. He is a specialist scholar in the field of contemporary world religions. He teaches courses on the world’s religions after 9/11, on Judaism, including the Holocaust, diaspora... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 10:15am - 11:15am NZST
4
  Sunday

10:15am NZST

Short Film: 'On Leave'
Location: Cinema

Young soldier, Yotam, returns home from army duty after a violent demonstration kills several of his fellow soldiers. The film lays bare the contradiction between emotional detachment and self-reliance as useful survival mechanisms for military life.

A CinePublika Israeli short film, an Israeli film related social movement established by local filmmakers, which came together out of the desire to re-spark the connection between local filmmaking and the communities in which it is made. Hebrew with English Subtitles. Followed by discussion facilitated by Evelyn Baker-Sander.
Sunday August 19, 2012 10:15am - 11:15am NZST
7
  Sunday

10:15am NZST

The Israeli Social Justice Protests : How a Facebook Post Could Change the Future of Israel
Location: R6

United by a rallying cry “Ha’am Doresh Tzedek Chevrati” close to a half a million Israelis joined protests around the country for a more just Israel in the summer of 2011. This session will explore how these protests began, what they achieved, and how they may serve as a model for a more engaging type of Zionism for diaspora Jewry. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Ittay Flescher

Ittay Flescher

Israeli born Ittay Flescher has been exploring and observing Jewish life for as long as he can remember. He currently teaches at Mount Scopus Memorial College, the Jewish Museum of Australia's Adult Education program and the Ayeka program for secular Jewish learning. In 2007... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 10:15am - 11:15am NZST
1
  Sunday

11:30am NZST

Bloch & Chassidic Music – recital and discussion
Location: LIMMUD Lounge

This concert is centered on the figure of Jewish composer Ernest Bloch and his Hassidic Oeuvre. The musicians will also present some traditional pieces arranged by composer George Perlman to provide a fuller understanding of Hassidic music, together with a facilitated discussion of the music by Barbara Glaser of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
Presenter/s
avatar for Caroline von Bismarck

Caroline von Bismarck

Caroline was born in Berlin, where she received violin lessons with the distinguished Abraham Jaffé. She studied in Mannheim and Detmold and Bern receiving a Concert Diploma with the highest mark. Caroline has performed as a chamber musician at international festivals in throughout... Read More →
avatar for Barb Glaser

Barb Glaser

Barbara came to Auckland six years ago to take up the position of CEO at the Auckland Philharmonia. Under her leadership the orchestra has flourished, implementing a variety of new programmes and initiatives, which have been enthusiastically embraced by Auckland music lovers. Barbara... Read More →
avatar for Eliah Sakakushev

Eliah Sakakushev

Eliah Sakakushev von Bismarck is the principal cellist with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, as well as artist-teacher at the Auckland University. After studying in Vienna he obtained his performance degree in Germany. Eliah has been artistic director of the Festival Sefarad in... Read More →
avatar for Mikhail Tablis

Mikhail Tablis

Mikhail received his first Piano Degree in the Ukraine at age 18. Continuing his education at the St. Petersburg Conservatoire, he obtained two degrees from the renowned Russian Conservatoire (Piano Performance and Musicianship and Musicology). Performing as a soloist and accompanist... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 11:30am - 12:28pm NZST
2
  Sunday, Music

11:30am NZST

Debate - Is Halachah still necessary?
Location: R7

A cultural Jew and a Chabad rabbi have a frank discussion about whether Judaism would be better without Jewish Law. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Ittay Flescher

Ittay Flescher

Israeli born Ittay Flescher has been exploring and observing Jewish life for as long as he can remember. He currently teaches at Mount Scopus Memorial College, the Jewish Museum of Australia's Adult Education program and the Ayeka program for secular Jewish learning. In 2007... Read More →
avatar for Mendy Goldstein

Mendy Goldstein

Rabbi Mendel Goldstein is the Director of the Raye Freedman Library, responsible for library's cultural and educational community development initiatives. He is a graduate of the Rabbinical College of America and qualified as a Rabbi in Melbourne, Australia. Rabbi Goldstein lectures... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 11:30am - 12:28pm NZST
1
  Sunday

11:30am NZST

Israel and the Haredim
Location: JS

Peeling the onion. If all Haredim were to serve in the IDF, would that solve everything? What are the deeper issues underlying the place of Haredim in Israeli society? With video interviews and talk we'll hope to reach "a higher level of confusion". (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Robbie Gringras

Robbie Gringras

Robbie Gringras is a British-Israeli writer, performer, and educator. His plays have performed throughout the world in English, Spanish, and Hebrew. He works as Artist-in-Residence with Makom, and is chief editor/writer of www.makom.haaretz.com. Robbie has survived Habonim, Oxford... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 11:30am - 12:28pm NZST
6
  Sunday

11:30am NZST

Mindfulness and Parenting
Location: R6

While children are a blessing, many of us find it hard to remember this in our daily struggles and juggles of school, meals, homework, sports, jobs and just getting it all done. The practice of mindfulness can help us become the parents we want to be through awareness of the moment.
Presenter/s
avatar for Sheila Weinberg

Sheila Weinberg

Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg is a founder of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS), as well as a poet, educator and internationally recognized pioneer in contemplative practice. She has published widely on feminism, Judaism, spirituality and single parenting, and has contributed... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 11:30am - 12:28pm NZST
5
  Sunday

11:30am NZST

Short Film: 'Take Note'
Location: Cinema

We follow the experiences of Anna, a young Russian immigrant in Israel, who is a trainee officer in the army. In this film, she is attempting to prove her ability to control a platoon of soldiers, and, in doing so, to impress her superiors and convince herself that she is up to the job.

A CinePublika Israeli short film, an Israeli film related social movement established by local filmmakers, which came together out of the desire to re-spark the connection between local filmmaking and the communities in which it is made. Hebrew with English Subtitles. Followed by discussion facilitated by Sam Bookman & Lawrence Nathan
Sunday August 19, 2012 11:30am - 12:28pm NZST
7
  Sunday

11:30am NZST

The Enlightenment & the first Hebrew newspaper
Location: MR

1783 was the heyday of the 'Haskala' (Enlightenment) period when a group of Jewish scholars became the first to publish a monthly newspaper in Hebrew. This was the first use of Hebrew in a non-religious context and so began the re-birth of modern Hebrew. Ephraim will take you into the world of these scholars and show the evolution of Hebrew over the ensuing 200 years. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Ephraim Zuriel

Ephraim Zuriel

Together with his wife Emma, Ephraim is the Auckland Hebrew Congregation and Bnei Akiva Shaliach. Born and raised in Israel to American parents, Ephraim spent several years in different Yeshivas in Israel and has a BA from the Open University in Jewish History. He runs a business... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 11:30am - 12:28pm NZST
3
  Sunday

11:30am NZST

Vittorio De Sica's film - The Garden of the Finzi-Continis
Location: R4

In his novel Il giardino dei Finzi-Contini, [The Garden of the Finzi-Continis], published in 1962, Jewish author Giorgio Bassani gives us a portrait of a tragic time for the Italian Jews, as lived by a group of young people coming of age in the city of Ferrara during the time of the Fascist racial laws. A few years later, Bassani’s novel was transformed by director Vittorio De Sica into an award-winning movie, a visually stunning portrayal of friendship, love and death in a setting reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. Both the novel and the film, portraying history through a personal story, represent key historical events for the Italian Jews (their adhesion to fascism, their reaction to the racial laws, their deportation to concentration camps) which I will discuss in my presentation.
Presenter/s
avatar for Daniela Cavallaro

Daniela Cavallaro

Daniela Cavallaro is Senior Lecturer in the Italian Department of the University of Auckland, where she teaches advanced language and literature courses. She has published extensively on contemporary Italian fiction, drama and cinema. During a two-year period of volunteer work at... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 11:30am - 12:28pm NZST
4
  Sunday

12:30pm NZST

Lunch
Location: LIMMUD Lounge
Sunday August 19, 2012 12:30pm - 1:28pm NZST
1
  Sunday, Meal

1:30pm NZST

Conversion & the Israeli Army
Location: R7

During the 1990s one million immigrants arrived in Israel, a quarter to one third of whom are not halachically Jewish. Emma will be speaking about the Israeli Army's unique course enabling soldiers to convert to Judaism during their army service. We will discuss different issues surrounding the army conversion and why it is so controversial in Israel today. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Emma Zuriel

Emma Zuriel

Emma, together with her husband Ephraim, is the Auckland Hebrew Congregation and Bnei Akiva Shlicha. Emma grew up in England and made Aliyah at the age of 16. She spent a year studying at Midreshet Lindenbaum and went on to serve as a commander in the Education Unit, specifically... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 1:30pm - 2:30pm NZST
5
  Sunday

1:30pm NZST

Growing up Jewish in Herne Bay post WWI
Location: R3

Bronwen Klippel will be talking to Dr Laurence Reynolds about his early life in Herne Bay in Auckland, where the early Jewish community thrived.
Presenter/s
avatar for Bronwen Klippel

Bronwen Klippel

As a child Bronwen Klippel lived next door to Laurence Reynolds and his family (whom she is interviewing at LIMMUD), and they developed a close connection. Bronwen now lives in Herne Bay, where the early Auckland Jewish community once thrived. She has been interviewing Laurence about... Read More →
avatar for Laurence Reynolds

Laurence Reynolds

Dr Laurence Reynolds was born in Herne Bay in 1915, living in the area until his bar mitzvah. During WW11 he served 6 years in the British Army Medical Corp becoming a Major. On returning to NZ in 1945 he worked as a doctor, eventually establishing the first Coronary Care Unit in... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 1:30pm - 2:30pm NZST
4
  Sunday

1:30pm NZST

Jewish Education - what works and what doesn't
Location: R4

Join this frank and honest look at the do's and don'ts of Jewish education, covering not only formal education but also including wider issues such as parenting and role-modelling.

Mandy will be joined by Lesley Max and Diane Levy to discuss what works and what doesn't - with help from the audience
Presenter/s
avatar for Mandy Lawrence

Mandy Lawrence

Mandy Lawrence holds degrees in philosophy and psychology and has many years of teaching experience, incuding teaching with the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School programme and facilitating the Bat Mitzvah programme at the Great Synagogue in Sydney. Before relocating to Sydney, Mandy... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 1:30pm - 2:30pm NZST
2
  Sunday

1:30pm NZST

Music as a cultural bridge in the Middle East
Location: MR

How much of an effect can music have on political and cultural conflicts? A look at cross-cultural encounters and collaborations between musicians in the Middle East and Israel. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Paddy Cornfield

Paddy Cornfield

Paddy Cornfield, a local pianist living in Devonport, has regularly performed to a number of audiences for many years.
avatar for Inbal Megiddo

Inbal Megiddo

Inbal, an Israeli cellist, has toured extensively and been broadcast around the world, performing at venues such as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and Carnegie Hall in New York. Inbal began studying cello at the age of two, and first performed at three. At six, she was... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 1:30pm - 2:30pm NZST
6
  Sunday

1:30pm NZST

Religious Belief and Make-Believe
Location: JS

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?
Presenter/s
avatar for Samuel Lebens

Samuel Lebens

Samuel Lebens holds a PhD in metaphysics and logic from the University of London, and has spent 5 years learning in yeshivot. He is a modern-orthodox educator, philosopher, political commentator and playwright. Originally from the UK, he now lives in Israel.

Sunday August 19, 2012 1:30pm - 2:30pm NZST
3
  Sunday

1:30pm NZST

Short Film: 'Mapping'
Location: Cinema

Fragments of contemporary Israeli life: the separation barrier, the Arab-Israeli co-existence, the sirens on the Day of Remembrance and the constant underlying tension.

A CinePublika Israeli short film, an Israeli film related social movement established by local filmmakers, which came together out of the desire to re-spark the connection between local filmmaking and the communities in which it is made. Hebrew with English Subtitles. Followed by discussion facilitated by Leah Jacobson.
Sunday August 19, 2012 1:30pm - 2:30pm NZST
7
  Sunday

1:30pm NZST

The Churches of the Warsaw Ghetto
Location: R6

Jews were not the only inhabitants of the Warsaw Ghetto. There were also thousands of "Christians of the Jewish race" who were forced to live in the Ghetto alongside its Jewish inhabitants. Only Catholic churches were active there and other churches were non-existent. Nuns and priests served the churches of the Ghetto and there were even Jews who converted to Christianity. We will look into diaries and memories from within the Ghetto, see how the Churches outside viewed it and how the Jewish population of the Ghetto saw their fate. And, we will try to see how this co-existence changed the relationship of Christianity to the Holocaust, then and now.
Presenter/s
avatar for Udi Dvorkin

Udi Dvorkin

Udi Dvorkin is the Zionist Federation formal education shaliach. He currently runs the Beth Shalom Beit Midrash. Prior to coming to New Zealand he spent time as a Youth Shaliach in Amsterdam with the Jewish Agency. Udi has a BA in Judaic Studies and European History and a Masters... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 1:30pm - 2:30pm NZST
1
  Sunday

2:45pm NZST

Delving into the Holocaust
Location: R4

Jeffrey Masson will discuss how he became interested in Holocaust study, why it is still relevant, and which books (including many in his own extensive collection ) are essential reading for such study. He will also touch on Germany, and whether there is anything unique about its national character that contributed to the Holocaust, as well as disputing Hannah Arendt's concept of the banality of evil. He is particularly interested in how the killing of mental patients in Germany led to the killing of Jews, and how in the one case there was enough public outrage that it was stopped (at least temporarily) while in the latter there was no outrage. Why?
Presenter/s
avatar for Jeffrey Masson

Jeffrey Masson

Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson is a writer who lives with his family in New Zealand. He has a PhD in Sanskrit from Harvard University and is also a trained psychologist. He has written on a wide-range of subjects including on his experience moving to New Zealand, psychology and animal... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 2:45pm - 3:45pm NZST
2
  Sunday

2:45pm NZST

Dilemmas in Humanitarian Work – an Israeli perspective
Location: R3

This session looks at moral dilemmas and questions arising out of humanitarian work, including issues about the effectiveness of humanitarian solutions from the perspective of an Israeli within the system. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Michal Bruck

Michal Bruck

Michal Bruck is an Israeli national working in Ethiopia for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as a project manager on a project to improve the humanitarian supply chain in the country by building infrastructure and business tools. Previously, Michal managed a programme... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 2:45pm - 3:45pm NZST
6
  Sunday

2:45pm NZST

Funny, You Don’t Look Jewish - Significant Questions about Jewish identity
Location: R7

Are the Jews a religion, a tribe, an ethnicity, a nationality or a civilisation? Are Jews insiders or outsiders? Can Jews belong to more than one tribe? Should we marry in or marry out? What are the core fundamental questions that Jews have been asking since the time of Abraham? These are but a few questions which this session will explore through a film called “The Tribe”, photography and art. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Ittay Flescher

Ittay Flescher

Israeli born Ittay Flescher has been exploring and observing Jewish life for as long as he can remember. He currently teaches at Mount Scopus Memorial College, the Jewish Museum of Australia's Adult Education program and the Ayeka program for secular Jewish learning. In 2007... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 2:45pm - 3:45pm NZST
1
  Sunday

2:45pm NZST

Israeli Dancing for beginners & intermediates
Location: LIMMUD Lounge

Join Jenni Gottschalk for an active session of Israeli dancing - good for the body and soul! Suitable for beginners and intermediate dancers.
Presenter/s
avatar for Jenni Gottschalk

Jenni Gottschalk

Jenny Gottschalk leads the Maayan Israeli Dance Group in Auckland and has been dancing since 2002.

Sunday August 19, 2012 2:45pm - 3:45pm NZST
4
  Sunday, Dance

2:45pm NZST

Moriah Kindergarten: Implementing our Values
Location: JS

Values: the most overused word in education. What does it mean?!!! Where does it all start? At Moriah Kindergarten the children, parents and teachers walk the talk. We want to share our ongoing journey with you by taking a close look at our Jewish curriculum and shared values. As an example, we will describe the effect making our own Purim movie had on our kindergarten community.
Presenter/s
avatar for Petra Frank

Petra Frank

Petra is a second generation Jewish New Zealander, born in Wellington. She joined Moriah Kindergarten as a teacher in 2003 and gained her Bachelor of Education (Teaching) ECE in 2005 from Victoria University of Wellington. She completed a Graduate Diploma in Strategies for Teaching... Read More →
avatar for Heidi Greenwood

Heidi Greenwood

Heidi started working at Moriah Kindergarten in 2000 and has been the Principal since 2002.  She holds a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood.  Her passion for early childhood education was ignited while living on a Kibbutz in Israel for 10 years and working with children... Read More →
avatar for Bodil Rosenbaum

Bodil Rosenbaum

Bodil (YMOT: Yiddishe Mamma Of Three) has taught at Moriah Kindergarten since 2000, bringing a wealth of experience and an interesting background with her. She comes originally from Denmark, where she gained her early childhood teaching qualification as a pedagogue.  Bodil has taught... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 2:45pm - 3:45pm NZST
3
  Sunday

2:45pm NZST

Strangers in Our Land - The African Refugee Crisis in Israel
Location: R6

Tens of thousands of African refugees populate the neighbourhoods of Tel Aviv, living with rampant crime, bleak prospects and conflicted identities. Traditionally pushed to the periphery of public conscience, 2012 has seen this issue take centre stage in Israeli socio-political discourse. What should the Jewish response to this crisis be? Do public authorities have an obligation to address these struggles? Do local residents have the right to protest the drastic decline of their neighbourhoods? In a post-Holocaust world, should our collective history of persecution compel us to take a stand? Run by leaders of AUJS, Bnei Akiva and Habonim Dror, this interactive session offers critical engagement with one of the most controversial issues in contemporary Israeli society. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Geoffrey Beinart-Smollan
avatar for Rotem Hochman

Rotem Hochman

Rotem came to NZ from Israel in 2003. Rotem holds a BCom(Hons) from the University of Auckland, his studies were focused on leadership, management and marketing. He is currently the president of AUJS New Zealand - The Australasian Union of Jewish Students. Rotem has recently been... Read More →
avatar for Jonathan Joseph

Jonathan Joseph

Jono is currently a madrich with Habonim Dror, his role within the movement is Rosh Chinuch (Head of Education). He has spent a year in Israel, on the Shnat Hachshara Programme, Jono has a passion for educating Jewish youth on social issues to enable them to become critical thinkers. Outside... Read More →
avatar for David Neifeld

David Neifeld

David is the current Vice President of AUJS New Zealand. Previously he was the Merakez (Chairman) of Bnei Akiva New Zealand, Rosh Sniff (Head) of Bnei Akiva Auckland, Rosh Chinuch (Education) and also was Rosh Machane for the Bnei Akiva New Zealand Winter Camp 2011. He has just completed... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 2:45pm - 3:45pm NZST
7
  Sunday

2:45pm NZST

The Impact of Jewish Spirituality
Location: MR

The Institute for Jewish Spirituality was founded on the basis that practice-based Jewish spirituality will help ensure a vital and welcoming Jewish life for all. The Institute promotes an immersive, practice-based approach to deepening contemplative Jewish spiritual life for rabbis, cantors, educators, social justice activists, congregants, and community members. Rabbi Sheila Weinberg, one of the founders of the Institute, will discuss the role of spirituality in transforming Jewish life, and the impact the Institute has had on Jewish leadership and community life.
Presenter/s
avatar for Sheila Weinberg

Sheila Weinberg

Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg is a founder of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS), as well as a poet, educator and internationally recognized pioneer in contemplative practice. She has published widely on feminism, Judaism, spirituality and single parenting, and has contributed... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 2:45pm - 3:45pm NZST
5
  Sunday

4:00pm NZST

Is there a Jewish Narnia?
Location: R3

Can we find traces of fantasy in the Talmud? Was Jules Verne the first one to invent the submarine? (the Nautilus). The fantastic tales of Rabbi Bar bar Hannah as found in the Babylonian Talmud have fascinated Jewish scholars throughout the centuries. Reading through these stories we will try to understand what is the social and religious importance of a world that is out of this world. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Adi Cohen

Adi Cohen

Rabbi Adi Cohen is the Rabbi of Temple Sinai, the Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation. He was previously the Rabbi of Brit Olam, a Progressive Jewish congregation in Kiryat On, Israel. He has also taught law and Jewish ethics at Metro West High School in Ra'anana, and worked... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 4:00pm - 4:58pm NZST
5
  Sunday

4:00pm NZST

Keeping the Yiddishkeit Alive - surviving & thriving after the Christchurch earthquake
Location: JS

Troubling times have a way of exposing a community. They will show the weaknesses, the strengths and have the potential to crumble and shatter a community until there is very little left. When Canterbury Hebrew Congregation was left without a synagogue, with members who were injured, members who lost everything, with members who had to move away to escape everything, it could have happened that way. But it didn't! Keeping the Yiddishkeit alive soon became a rallying cry as the community got together and grew stronger. While times are tough, being Jewish and being part of a Jewish community can be a great comfort. This session will explore how CHC kept the Yiddishkeit going, what lessons were learned and will hopefully help you to make sure your community is prepared.
Presenter/s
avatar for Tonny De Vries

Tonny De Vries

Tonny de Vries is a Lecturer in the Civil and Natural Resources Engineering department of the University of Canterbury. She has a keen interest in Jewish education and organises the Cheder of the Canterbury Hebrew Congregation. 

Sunday August 19, 2012 4:00pm - 5:00pm NZST
2
  Sunday

4:00pm NZST

Music in response to the Holocaust
Location: MR

A look at the lives of Jewish musicians during the Third Reich and the music from the concentration camps: resilience and art in defiance of death with a piano accompaniment. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Inbal Megiddo

Inbal Megiddo

Inbal, an Israeli cellist, has toured extensively and been broadcast around the world, performing at venues such as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and Carnegie Hall in New York. Inbal began studying cello at the age of two, and first performed at three. At six, she was... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 4:00pm - 5:00pm NZST
6
  Sunday

4:00pm NZST

The Kibbutz – a Jewish social experiment
Location: R7

The first kibbutz was established in 1909 as a socialist agriculture commune. As the years passed different types of kibbutzim arose. During the 90’s the kibbutzim movement hit a financial, ideological and social crisis and it seemed likely it was to become a footnote in history. Today there are more residents in kibbutzim than ever before, and new urban-kibbutzim are being formed across Israel. We will examine the history of the kibbutz using the new documentary series produced last year that gave an insider’s look into them. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Osnat Dvorkin

Osnat Dvorkin

Osnat Dvorkin is the Zionist Federation of New Zealand community, Habo and Aliya Shlicha. She has a BA from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Jewish Philosophy and Art History. Osnat has worked as a Communities director for the Young Shlichim unit of the Jewish Agency. As such... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 4:00pm - 5:00pm NZST
3
  Sunday

4:00pm NZST

Understanding God via Architecture
Location: R6

This session explores the dichotomy between the world created by God and the world created by Man and in doing so suggests insights into the relationship between God and Man. The exploration will investigate the act of creation and the idea of paradise as described in the Torah and pursued by Man. The lecture will have extensive image content.
Presenter/s
avatar for Charles Justin

Charles Justin

Charles Justin is an architect and cofounder of SJB Architects, a major practice with offices in Melbourne and Sydney. He is a collector of contemporary art and is a past president of the Jewish Museum of Australia.

Sunday August 19, 2012 4:00pm - 5:00pm NZST
1
  Sunday

4:00pm NZST

What is Jewish History?
Location: R4

What is Jewish History in a small country like New Zealand "on the other side of the world"? There are some complex questions: How can or should it be written? What and who should it include? Who can write it? Such questions generate more questions - for instance, "Who and what is Jewish for the purposes of such a history?", and "Does a specifically Jewish history even exist in this country?"; questions like these have generated argument and controversy in other countries.
Presenter/s
avatar for Leonard Bell

Leonard Bell

Associate Professor Leonard Bell has taught Art History at The University of Auckland since 1973. He is a highly-regarded scholar both nationally and internationally. His writings on cross-cultural interactions and representations in all visual media, and on the works and careers... Read More →
avatar for Sue Berman

Sue Berman

Sue migrated to NZ as a child from South Africa in 1979. In 1982 she was a b’nei mitzvah of Beth Shalom where she continues to be an active adult member. Sue has a passion for stories of people and place - of cultural identity and the way we share and make meaning in our lives... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 4:00pm - 5:00pm NZST
4
  Sunday

5:15pm NZST

A Taste of Florence Melton – The Israel/Diaspora Relationship
Location: R4

What did the establishment of the State symbolize for Jewry? To what degree is Israel home to those who continue to maintain their residence in the Diaspora? Where should their primary loyalties lie? What does Israel contribute to the Diaspora and vice versa? What sacrifices, if any, should Diaspora Jews be willing to make for the State of Israel? What say should Diaspora Jews have in the political processes of the State of Israel and why?
Come and listen to, and participate in, the discussion on this critical issue and get a taste of what Florence Melton students worldwide study each week. The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School is a Project of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The Auckland school is funded by the Raye Freedman Trust and a year 1 class is being piloted in New Zealand. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Jules Gaddie

Jules Gaddie

Jules was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and qualified as a Chartered Accountant at Wits University. Jules was the CEO of an auditing, advisory and computer software company in SA. He has been in New Zealand for 15 years. Jules is heavily invested in Jewish education and is currently... Read More →
avatar for Mendy Goldstein

Mendy Goldstein

Rabbi Mendel Goldstein is the Director of the Raye Freedman Library, responsible for library's cultural and educational community development initiatives. He is a graduate of the Rabbinical College of America and qualified as a Rabbi in Melbourne, Australia. Rabbi Goldstein lectures... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 5:15pm - 6:13pm NZST
3
  Sunday

5:15pm NZST

Jews from Palestine and Arabs from Israel
Location: R6

A look at a few of the fascinating new phenomena that are changing Israel! Palestinians are seeking to move inside Israel. Jewish settlers in the West Bank want to build a partnership with the Palestinian Authority based on ecological values. Arabs and Jews are sharing a new economy in Gush Etzion. Arab soldiers in the IDF and Arab students are attending the Jewish College of Ariel in Samaria. Jews are doing ‘national’ service instead of ‘army’ service in NGOs that are pro-Palestinian. Is it possible we are talking of yesterday’s conflict when there’s a new reality? (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Udi Dvorkin

Udi Dvorkin

Udi Dvorkin is the Zionist Federation formal education shaliach. He currently runs the Beth Shalom Beit Midrash. Prior to coming to New Zealand he spent time as a Youth Shaliach in Amsterdam with the Jewish Agency. Udi has a BA in Judaic Studies and European History and a Masters... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 5:15pm - 6:13pm NZST
1
  Sunday

5:15pm NZST

Short Film: 'Tasnim'
Location: Cinema

Tasnim is a strong and opinionated 10-year-old Bedouin girl. In her own way, she challenges the conservative norms of the family tribe, refusing to stay out of the adults’ world.

A CinePublika Israeli short film, an Israeli film related social movement established by local filmmakers, which came together out of the desire to re-spark the connection between local filmmaking and the communities in which it is made. Hebrew with English Subtitles. Followed by discussion facilitated by by Gabrielle Dyson.
Sunday August 19, 2012 5:15pm - 6:13pm NZST
6
  Sunday

5:15pm NZST

The Ethiopian Jewish Connection
Location: MR

From King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, to the lost ark of covenant and the Ethiopian Jews. It may surprise you the extent to which Jewish culture plays a role in Ethiopian history and myths.
Presenter/s
avatar for Michal Bruck

Michal Bruck

Michal Bruck is an Israeli national working in Ethiopia for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as a project manager on a project to improve the humanitarian supply chain in the country by building infrastructure and business tools. Previously, Michal managed a programme... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 5:15pm - 6:13pm NZST
4
  Sunday

5:15pm NZST

The Online Jewish Museum - A World First
Location: R7

Work has begun on the NZ Jewish Online Museum. Once completed, it will forge new paths in viewing the uniqueness of Jewish cultural identity in the digital sphere. Using web, mobile technology and social media the project aims to link people with an interest in Jewish history and identity both local and global.

There will be practical demonstrations and insights through interactive ‘story-pods’ from the Jewish Holocaust Centre in Melbourne where this world first technology was developed. With Philip Cookson.
Presenter/s
avatar for Keren Cook

Keren Cook

Keren Cook has a Masters in Fine Arts and a Diploma in Teaching. Keren's artistic focus explores themes within Jewish identity and culture and incorporates printmaking, painting, mix-media, digital technologies and installation.  Keren’s 15 years of teaching includes Art and Art... Read More →
avatar for Philip Cookson

Philip Cookson

Philip Cookson is CEO and Director of Research at Philology Pty. Ltd. an Australian based global market and technology research consultancy.  Formerly he had senior technology research roles at Microsoft Corporation and.   Philip has a Masters degree in Mathematical Physics, a... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 5:15pm - 6:13pm NZST
2
  Sunday

5:15pm NZST

The Voice of Achasverosh. The Book of Esther, Session 3
Location: R3

In this session we will take a close look at the role of Ahashverosh to help him find his voice & help us see that in political life some things never change.

This is the third of a short course of three related but self-contained sessions which will take a fresh look at a familiar story, the book of Esther, exploring the contribution that traditional commentaries such as midrash can make towards a mature understanding of the characters involved. The sessions will use guided text- based discussions to bring the characters of Esther, Vashti & Ahashverosh to life.

Each session is self- contained and no prior experience of text- based learning is required but audience participation is encouraged.
Presenter/s
avatar for Mandy Lawrence

Mandy Lawrence

Mandy Lawrence holds degrees in philosophy and psychology and has many years of teaching experience, incuding teaching with the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School programme and facilitating the Bat Mitzvah programme at the Great Synagogue in Sydney. Before relocating to Sydney, Mandy... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 5:15pm - 6:13pm NZST
7
  Sunday

5:15pm NZST

When I’m 64 – The development of Israeli Pop Music
Location: JS

It is widely known that Gene Simmons of (rock band) Kiss was born in Haifa in 1949. But the rest of Israel's pop/rock history is less well known. Explore the evolution, diversity and culture of popular Israeli music over the last 64 years. A range of pop sub-genres will be examined looking at lyrics, instruments, tzahal, politics, music videos, history, audiences, identity and performers. (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for Lawrence Nathan

Lawrence Nathan

Lawrence Nathan is currently in his final year of studying Music (alongside Commerce) at the University of Auckland. He attended Kadimah College and then King's College, followed in 2008 by a year-long course in Israel. He has subsequently been heavily involved with Bnei Akiva, and... Read More →

Sunday August 19, 2012 5:15pm - 6:13pm NZST
5
  Sunday

6:15pm NZST

Closing Celebration & Thanks!
Location: Tent
Sunday August 19, 2012 6:15pm - 6:29pm NZST
1
  Sunday

6:30pm NZST

Finale Event: A Concert with Jonathan Besser & Gimel, and Carolina Moon singing Sephardic Songs
Location: Tent

Jonathan Besser and members of his band Gimel (Tom Dennison, Yair Katz, John Bell, Chris Prosser and Nigel Garin) perform in this one-off concert as a fitting Finale to LIMMUD with special guest appearance by singer Carolina Moon! (TN)
Presenter/s
avatar for John Bell

John Bell

John Bell has been playing Vibraphone since the age of 14.  A lecturer at Massey University, John has worked nationally with the country’s leading improvising musicians, including Jeff Henderson, Anthony Donaldson, and Nigel Gavin. Over the past 25 years he has directed his own... Read More →
avatar for Jonathan Besser

Jonathan Besser

Jonathan Besser, originally from New York, has years of experience collaborating with his own instrumentalists. He comes to the fore in Gimel as a presenter and pianist - a new sounding contemporary music and group dynamic that he has been developing for nearly a year. Gimel's music... Read More →
avatar for Tom Dennison

Tom Dennison

Tom Dennison has performed in a number of top jazz groups, including the Alan Broadbent Trio, Mike Nock Quartet, Frank Gibson's Hardbopmobile, and the Roger Manins Quintet. Following a spell in New York where he worked under the guidance of Larry Grenadier, Matt Penman and Joe Martin... Read More →
avatar for Nigel Garin

Nigel Garin

Nigel Gavin is a New Zealand based musician and composer, best known as a guitar player. In addition to being a highly regarded solo artist and session musician, Nigel has been a member of bands such as popular New Zealand jazz quartett The Nairobi Trio, Robert Fripp's The League... Read More →
avatar for Yair Katz
avatar for Carolina Moon

Carolina Moon

Carolina Moon's sings world music with ancient and modern roots at the heart of which lie the beautiful Ladino melodies of Judeo Spain. She began this project in Sydney with a performance with Mark Isaacs at the Great Synagogue. Carolina misspent her formative years on the London... Read More →
avatar for Chris Prosser

Chris Prosser

Chris Prosser is a violinist-composer who writes music primarily to perform and record himself, as solo artist and in collaboration.  

Sunday August 19, 2012 6:30pm - 7:30pm NZST
1
  Sunday, Music
 
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