Limmud Festival 2025

Limmud Festival 2025 – Sunday 16:00

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'Your podcast is my synagogue' - is digital Jewish community possible?

Lex Rofeberg 

Red 2

Lex lives in the USA, but has spent over 8,000 hours in the UK this year. No planes or boats were necessary. How? His voice is on a Jewish podcast, listened to on devices in the UK for 8,096 hours, over the past year! Judaism is experiencing rapid change due to digital technologies. What does it mean for Jewish community, now and in the future?

After Gaza - lessons from the wars (in Ukraine as well)

Anshel Pfeffer  Tim Franks 

Orange 15

Was the war Israel fought in Gaza the right or the only response to October 7? Did it have to go on for so long? Did it have to be so devastating and bloody? What were the real war-aims? Were they achieved? How difficult is it to answer these questions within the constraints of today’s media coverage?

Apples and oranges: exploring 'neuro-difference' in the Jewish community

Grace Harris  Victoria Mattison 

Yellow 21

Grace and Victoria, who have been working together for the past three years, will share their respective understandings of autism and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). They will reflect on issues arising from their work, including diagnosis and its meaning for Grace, family life, education, Jewish life and community, and what meaningful inclusion can look like.

Clothes of betrayal, clothes of forgiveness: exploring the Joseph stories through fashion

Sarah Sharman Moser 

Red 3

Join us as we delve into the Torah’s depiction of Joseph’s clothing, reflecting on how different words and garments reveal the emotional and spiritual journey from betrayal to forgiveness and personal growth.

Do we need to talk about empire?

Hannah Ewence 

Orange 11

Discussion about the deeds and misdeeds of the British empire have never been so fraught. What role should British Jews play in these debates? 18th and 19th century Jews were not immune to imperialist trappings. But Jews were also victims of colonial endeavours and colonial crimes. Join in a respectful debate to unpick this complex issue.

Is the Board of Deputies fit for purpose?

Robert Stone  Philip Goldenberg  Harriett Goldenberg 

Orange 10

The Board, as a representative body, faces the perennial challenge of striking a balance between the conflicting views of disparate elements in the UK Jewish community. How is it coping in the exceptionally difficult context of the conflict in the Middle East since October 7th and, if it isn’t, what needs to be done to make the Board fit for purpose? The presenters have been subject to disciplinary processes by the Board of Deputies.

Jewish secularism (1 of 2)

Barry Kosmin 

Red 5

The majority of Jews today would refute R. Saadiah Gaon's assertion that the Jews were a nation "... only by virtue of its Torah." How does the secularisation of the Jews compare with the experience of other populations? What do social and attitudinal surveys reveal about views on religion, behaviour, lifestyles, social and political identity?

Jewish spirituality: coming home to the heart of wholeness...

Marc Frank 

Yellow 24

In these current times, finding peaceful, loving and compassionate ways of relating to ourselves and the world must be our number one priority. Jewish wisdom teaches us that we are all connected. Let us examine this truth together through an exploration of Jewish mystical sources and short, simple meditations for stillness, peace and connection.

Knit and natter! (1 of 4)

Melanie Kelly 

Red 1

Unwind, connect, and contribute! Our beloved daily knit & natter provides a calm space to chat about conference or life. This year we are knitting warm hats for Israeli elderly via Manna (Meir Panim). Knitters of all skill levels, from beginners to experts, are welcome. Join us Sunday to Wednesday to relax and do a Mitzvah!

Life drawing

Anya Shire-Plumb  Ali Simmons 

Blue 34

Limmud Life Drawing is back by popular demand! Follow in the legacy of Jewish figurative artists such as Chagall, Modigliani, Chaïm Soutine and Charlotte Salomon. Whether you are a seasoned artist or have never attempted figure drawing, this is the time and place to practise, try something new and have fun! No experience necessary.

Photography workshop

Michael Brochstein 

Red 9

Learn how to improve the photos you take of friends and family. Whether you use a phone’s camera or a dedicated camera, this workshop will help you use it to create better portraits and headshots. Please bring your camera (phone or dedicated) as you will use it in the workshop.

Righteous idolaters? A history of Christianity through Jewish eyes

Joshua Garroway 

Red 4

Jews have viewed Christians alternatively as friends and as enemies, as partners in salvation and as pitiable idolaters. Why such contrasts? Come learn how Jewish perspectives on Christianity have developed from ancient, to medieval, to modern times. Hopefully, you'll come away some combination of amused, disgusted and inspired!

Silly musical storytelling

Family Team Limmud 

Blue 32

Join Eddie Bass and Michal Ish-Horowicz on a joyful, intergenerational journey through Jewish folklore. Meet the not-so-wise townspeople of Chelm, try to steal the recipe for the best latkes in town, and find out how bringing all your animals into your house can make it bigger! There will be stories, songs and plenty of silliness.

Tangible tikkun olam: what is carbon capture, and why is it so important?

Micah Shire-Plumb 

Orange 14

Join Micah, a recent graduate of Imperial College London's MSc in Chemical Engineering, in a (hopefully!) non-technical introduction to carbon capture and storage, a key technology in our dedication to tikkun olam. Learn why fossil fuels aren't going anywhere, what our future may look like without drastic measures, and what you can do to help!

Your life, your story

Diane Samuels 

Red 8

Part presentation, part life-writing workshop, I share the processes behind over twenty-five years of writing plays based on true-life stories and extracts from my recently completed auto-fiction novel, 'Cinders', in which I have unleashed my imagination on my own life. Delve creatively into your life too. Bring a notebook and pen.

Kolot HaLev: voices of the heart

Zoe Jacobs  Mayta Cohen  Elana Arian 

Orange 12

Join three passionate leaders - Elana Arian, Mayta Cohen and Cantor Zöe Jacobs - for a lively, three-part journey through Jewish music. Learn entirely by ear - no experience needed, just enthusiasm! Discover melodies and rich harmonies that soothe the soul, move the heart and fill the room with the joy of shared song.

The Future of Visual Art

Aviva Dautch  Jacqueline Nicholls 

Red 7

How can contemporary artists engage with their Jewishness in meaningful ways in the current complicated landscape? Over the last year, Jewish Renaissance has been running a development scheme which we hope to expand into a larger support network. Find out about our work and tell us what you would like to see happen in the future.

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