Limmud Comes to South Africa

Limmud, a Jewish version of the Grahamstown festival, will be taking place in Johannesburg on Thursday 9th August (Women’s day) and in Cape Town on weekend of 10th August. Although Limmud has been running for more than 20 years, this is a first for South Africa. The depth and breath of talks and activities is mind boggling.

What I like best about the program is its embracement of controversy. There are African Jews from Uganda, a Palestinian human rights activist, and the always litigious Judge Dennis Davis. Explosive topics include the status of women in Judaism, the one verses two state solution and the contradictions between the bible and science to name but a few.

I am always the first to complain about the dearth of Jewish intellectualism in South Africa. But for the next few weeks at least, like much of England, we will be flooded. I personally can’t wait!

Date: 9 AUGUST, 2007
Venue: AT WITS MEDICAL SCHOOL
Time: All day from 08h30 until 23h00 and beyond

Limmud is for the whole family: CHILDREN, TEEN AND YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMMES REGISTER NOW FOR EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT BEFORE 20 JULY (ALL FOOD INCLUDED IN PRICE) International Guests include: Prof Nathan Aviezer (Prof, Physics, Bar-Ilan University): On Contradictions Between Torah and Science: the Creation of the Universe and Have Scientists Discovered G-d? The Anthropic Principle and Jewish Belief Benjamin Pogrund (Director, Yakar Centre for Social Concern) and Bassam Eid (Director, Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group) in conversation: Truth and Reconciliation in Israel and Palestine: An Elusive Quest? Enosh Keki Mainah and Moshe Yashiira Madoi (Teachers and Communal Leaders, Abayudaya of Uganda): Being Jewish in Uganda: the Unfolding Story of the Abayudaya and How to Be an Observant Jew in a Ugandan Village as well as teaching us the unique music of the Abayudaya David Gerbi (Psychoanalyst, Playwright, Author): Making Peace with Quaddafi Mikhael Manekin (Student and Previous Soldier): Breaking the Silence: How can one be a moral Israeli Soldier in the West Bank? Local Speakers include: Victor Gordon: Harry and Ed: A Unique Friendship Without Which there would not have been a State of Israel Ann Harris: Second-Class or Equal? Exploring the Legal Status of Women in Jewish Law Dennis Davis: Does the Solution to the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict lie in the creation of One or Two States? Louis Marcus Finn: How does one Paint the Holocaust?: An Exploration of the Art of Eric Kahn and Erna Bodenstein David Bilchitz: Must we obey G-d under all circumstances? A Literary and Philosophical Approach to Shaul and the Amalekites Howard Sackstein: Is Jewish Activism Dead? Stephen Finn: Forbidden Flesh: The challenge Vegetarianism poses for the Ethical Jew Tzemach Mendelow: Exploring Meditation and Mystical Traditions in Jewish Life Jeremy Wanderer: Exploring the Mysteries of Mt. Sinai: Where does Revelation End and Interpretation Begin? Kim Berman: Can Art be a medium for Tikkun Olam? Transforming South Africa Through the Visual Arts Farrell Roth: Drumming for the Jewish Soul is better than Chicken Soup Ronnie Mink: Bondageto the Dead? Jews, Poles and the Memory of the Holocaust

Click here for more details.

Visit www.limmud.org.za for more information
Contact Limmud Johannesburg at:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 076 480 2896 (Coreen)

Comments

[Hard Rain]

Will definitely be attending.

[Joel Pollak]

I certainly hope Dennis Davis isn't seriously entertaining a single-state solution.

[Steve]

I'll try go to his talk to see...