Presenters: B

Gabor Balazs

Gabor received his PhD. at Bar Ilan University in Israel. He is a professor of Jewish and Israeli Philosophy at the University of Jewish Studies, and he is active in numerous frameworks of Jewish adult education.

Banot Band

Banot is a NYC based band, created for the love of Jewish & Israeli music. Co-founded by Berklee graduates Yonit, Tali, Ella Joy, Mikhal, Marian, and Lihi, they seek new ways to interpret traditional Jewish & modern Israeli music. Banot recently released their debut album Bakesh Shalom.

Daphna Baram

Daphna is Jerusalem born, London based, director of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolition, UK Chapter (ICAHD UK) and a stand up comedian, with background in journalism and human rights law. Her book Disenchantment: The Guardian and Israel, was published in 2004.

Isabel Bard

Isabel is in her final year at the University of Birmingham, studying English Literature and Philosophy. She's an alumna of the Drisha High School Programme, Yeshivat Hadar, and the Conservative Yeshiva. Her interests include the philosophy of charitable obligations, and tzitzit.

Genna Barnett

Originally from Scotland, Genna has lived and worked in London, Tel Aviv, Burundi and Ghana. She was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome at the age of seven. After years of feeling embarrassed by it, she’s happy to share her experiences and embrace it as a unique and interesting part of her identity.

Nikki Barnett

Nikki is currently studying International Development at Sussex University. She was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome and ADHD at five years old, and has experienced cycles of severity of the conditions throughout her life. She is happy to share her experiences and what she has learned.

Eldad Beck

Berlin-based Europe-Correspondent of the daily "Israel Hayom", author of "Beyond the Border - Travels to forbidden countries", "Germany, at Odds“, "Merkel, Israel and the Jews". Born in Haifa, Eldad studied Arabic and Islam at the Sorbonne, Paris

Barbara Bell

Barbara is a teacher and artist. As well as exhibiting her paintings, she has also contributed to the Raul Wallenberg Foundation Art book, set up Community Arts projects and initiated Interfaith study groups. In her current work, Barbara explores the relationship between faith and the Shoah.

Amir Ben Hur

As JAFI’s emissary in Leeds, Amir aims to engage the community to become actively involved in securing a vital Jewish future. He studied music and biomedicine, took part and led “HaZamir”, and was involved in youth movements and voluntary organisations. Amir served in the Air Force Military Band.

Geoffrey Ben-Nathan

Born in London 1944, Geoffrey was educated at St. Paul's and SOAS with a degree in Anthropology and Ethiopian Studies. He has authored two books and conducts private research on Israelites, Canaanites, Jews and Palestinians.

Aaron Benderski

Aaron is from Ashdod and is an emissary on campuses throughout the UK. He has a B.A. in Political Science and IR from Hebrew U, is a former tour guide in the Knesset and was involved with an Israeli-Palestinian program through which he interned in U.S Congress. Aaron was born in Belarus and is fluent in Russian, Hebrew and English.

Jon Benjamin

A lawyer with over 20 years’ senior leadership experience in the charity sector, Jon now runs a busy consultancy, advising charities (and others) on how to navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment, and trustees on their responsibilities and good governance.

Siona Benjamin

Siona is a painter from Bombay, now living in the US. Her work reflects her background of being brought up Jewish in a Hindu and Muslim India. She combines the imagery of her past with the role she plays in America today, making a mosaic inspired by illuminated manuscripts.

David Benkof

David is a Jerusalem-based teacher whose sessions at Limmuds worldwide analyze Jewish cultural products – fiction, poetry, musicals, films, lyrics. His other hats include Jewish historian, political analyst, six-language polyglot, essayist, theater enthusiast, philanthropist, and trivia buff.

Janet Berenson

Teacher, author, poet, meditator, imperfect Kabbalist, procrastinator, singer and God-wrestler. These don't sum Janet up, but explain why she seeks enlightenment in every encounter. After working in the Reform movement she now offers courses, day study and personal guidance.

Jake Berger

Jake was born and raised in Manchester. He previously lived in Helsinki, spent a year at Pardes in Jerusalem, and holds a B.A. in Psychology & Philosophy from the University of Oxford (where he also founded the Oxford Schnitzel Society). Jake now works at the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Rahel Berkovits

Rahel is a senior lecturer in Mishnah, Talmud and Halachah at the Pardes Institute. She is the halachic editor of JOFA’s Hilkhot Nashim, to be published by Koren and serves on Shirah Hadasha’s halachah committee. Rahel received Rabbinic Ordination from Rabbis Herzl Hefter and Daniel Sperber.

Linda Berkowitz

While teaching Film in Brighton 22 years ago, Linda joined the Board of UK Jewish Film (it was Brighton Jewish Film Festival) & has remained associated ever since. She looks forward to joining the wonderful Limmud audiences in appreciating the wide range & high quality of films from UKJF .

Uri Berkowitz

Uri is a graphic designer whose clients are often Jewish. He was originally drawn into the web of Limmud by designing the second chavruta book. 20 books later he has since volunteered on programming, training, the board and Limmud internationally. Uri is a graduate of Lead’s Gamechangers programme.

Adele Berlin

Adele Berlin is Professor Emerita of Biblical Studies at the University of Maryland. She is especially interested in biblical narrative and poetry, and in ancient and modern interpretations of the Bible.

George Berlin

George Berlin was Professor of Jewish History and Dean of Undergraduate Studies at the Baltimore Hebrew University. He is now Professor Emeritus at Towson University. His specialty is American Jewish History.

Robby Berman

Robert Berman graduated from Harvard University, Baruch College, Yeshiva University (MPA, MBA, BA), Gruss Kollel and Yeshivat Hakotel. Published in the Jerusalem Post and Ha’aretz, he is the founder and director of the Halachic Organ Donor Society and the Alliance for Organ Donor Incentives.

Yoni Berrous

Yoni was born in France and made Aliyah with his family in 1992. He is the Head of the European Jewish Programming at the International School for Holocaust Studies, Yad Vashem.

David Bilchitz

David is a Professor of Fundamental Rights at the University of Johannesburg and Secretary-General of the International Association of Constitutional Law. He co-founded Limmud South Africa, co-chaired the first Limmud Connect event for Global Limmud Volunteers and is on the Limmud Board.

Shoshana Bloom

Shoshana created LivLuv, a disability inclusion consultancy to enable the meaningful inclusion of people with additional needs in their communities. A passionate Limmudnik, ROIer, Schusterman Fellow & Makaton teacher, she’s also a Limmud trustee & founder of the international Limmud L’Am programme.

Rebecca Blumenfeld

Rebecca (Bex) lives in Oxford with her husband and young son. Ordained as a chazzan with a Masters in Jewish Studies from Hebrew College, she works with several Masorti communities in the UK, focusing on Jewish liturgy, text, music and family education.

Sam Blustin

Sam is a fourth year rabbinical student at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He is also the co-founder of Shira B'dira, a bi-monthly prayer community specialising in beautiful, traditional egalitarian davening.

Kenneth Bob

Kenneth Bob is national President of Ameinu, Chair of Project Rozana USA, on the J Street Board of Directors and a member of the Jewish Agency for Israel Board of Governors Executive Committee. Ken’s “day job” is a management consultant, having previously served as CEO for technology companies.

Yonahton Bock

Yoni has more than 15 years international disaster relief/humanitarian assistance experience, participating, leading, and educating on best practices and civil-military coordination. He is a proud Bostonian and alumnus of Orthodox high school, Israeli yeshiva, McGill and Tufts Universities. Yoni married his husband in 2011.

Alexander Bodin Saphir

Alexander is a filmmaker and writer who produced and co-directed the award-winning film, 'Who's Gonna Love Me Now?'. He is currently the publisher of the Jewish Quarterly. And his new play, 'Rosenbaum's Rescue' about Denmark during WWII, will premiere at Park Theatre in January 2019.

Shana Boltin

Originally from Melbourne, Shana works as an children's occupational therapist. A coffee, Ottolenghi and Yiddish enthusiast, she previously chaired Limmud Conference and is currently a Limmud Board member with a volunteer training support role. But most excitingly, she is DJing again this year!

Bat-el Borenstein

Bat-el is an actress, writer, producer, and lecturer. She is the sole creator and performer of the enormously successful and inspirational one-woman show I am Bat-El viewed by over one million people in Israel.

Emma Boyar

Emma is passionate about promoting the power of giving. A Senior Consultant for Charidy Australia, Emma partners with amazing causes to help them achieve their philanthropic outcomes and exceed fundraising budgets.

Hannah Brady

Passionate about women's and disabled empowerment, Hannah loves to start challenging conversations with a touch of humour. She works in public health marketing, delivering high profile national campaigns such as Change4Life, Drink Free Days and the upcoming mental health campaign Every Mind Matters.

Sam Brandman

Sam is CEO of Two Generations, a new Social Enterprise that matches older people (looking for a bit of company and help around the house) with friendly younger people (looking for cheaper accommodation).

Laurence Brass

Laurence is a retired asylum judge who spent six years as vice president of the Board of Deputies, which is a different type of asylum! He is now a JCORE trustee and vice chair of Oasis of Peace UK which promotes "Neve Shalom/Wahat-al-Salam" Israel's unique peace village.

Aviva Braun-Finkler

Aviva Braun L.C.S.W. is a feminist psychotherapist with a private practice in NYC. She is a speaker, writer and photographer. Her exhibit the emBODYment of Jewish femininty (2016). She has been profiled and has been a contributor to The Sisterhood blog of the Forward and Parents.com.

Alina Bricman

Alina is the elected president of the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS). She grew up in Bucharest and studied Political Science in universities in Bucharest and Budapest. Before taking over her current role, Alina volunteered and then served as EUJS Program Officer between 2015-2017.

Robert Brody

Robert has been a tenor soloist for over 50 years presenting both secular and cantorial music with many Jewish choirs as well as recording with the BBC Singers for Radio 3. He has acted as chazan in many countries and recently was soloist in an international cantorial conference in Prague.

Sarah Bronzite

Previously a social researcher, now a primary school teacher, Sarah's current academic research aims to change the UK sex education curriculum so that it meets young people's needs. She also writes about childfree women and gender-based violence. Judaism is her second religion, after choral singing.

Mekella Broomberg

Mekella Broomberg is head of Arts and Culture at JW3, the first Jewish Community Centre and arts venue of its kind to exist in London. The team curate year-round events which showcase the very best of Jewish music, film, theatre and literature.

Leilah Broukhim

Flamenco dancer and artistic director Leilah Broukhim moved to Madrid from New York after receiving a B.A. from Columbia University. She performs in Spain's principal tablaos, teaches workshops globally and currently tours with her own dance company in international theaters and festivals.

Sara Bucciarelli Zanardo

Sara has taught and worked with modern foreign languages in Europe and Israel for over 10 years. Currently Sara lives in Hove with her husband, three children and Amelia the cat, where she teaches MFL, including Hebrew, in schools, after school clubs and cheder.

Libby Burkeman

Libby is Head of Grants for a Trust that supports the work of other charities. She has volunteered & worked in education at Reform Judaism, Tzedek, the Science Museum & even Limmud! She's DJed at Limmud since 2013 & is excited for 2018. Libby likes lunch for £4, follow her on Insta & join the hunt!

Georgina Bye

Georgina has been heavily involved in building inclusive, cross-communal Jewish communities and is a seasoned Jewish educator. She works for JDC Entwine and OLAM, organisations involved with international development. She's also passionate about women's spaces, feminism, food and travelling.