Countdown to Limmud-Oz
Lexi Landsman
FROM learning the “Dance of the Hebrew letters”, the dynamics of reincarnation and Kabbalah meditation, to discussions on Seven Jewish Children, the Jews of Rhodes, censorship and new counter-terrorism laws, this year’s Limmud-Oz has an eclectic and vast range of sessions for all tastes.
The two-and-half-day festival of Jewish learning and creativity runs this long-weekend at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney.
The festival, which offers more than 200 sessions, was launched last week at Shalom College, by former US ambassador to Israel Dr Martin Indyk.
Peta Jones Pellach, education director of the Shalom Institute, said: “This year, we will have more variety than ever before. Not just outstanding overseas scholars, of which we have plenty, but the best of interstate and local talent, and some very interesting panels where they all come together.”
Pellach mentioned several sessions that she tipped to be popular, including the first session on June 7 on “Communal censorship: Do we allow alternative views?” with Jonathan Pearlman, Angela Budai, Jeremy Jones and Ehud Yaari.
Others include a discussion of “The Ethics of The Reader” with scholars Mark Baker, Bettina Cass and Alan Saunders on Sunday June 7 at 9.30pm, and “Wisdom is a woman” on June 8 at 5.45pm.
Despite the tough times, Pellach said there had not been a drop in bookings, which may have been helped by the volunteer component this year offering discounted rates. “[Bookings] started off with a trickle and we have moved to a very strong stream. We are hoping it will become a flood by Friday,” she said.
“It’s such a buzz working with dozens and dozens of enthusiastic volunteers, so this really is an event that belongs to the community and we hope people really feel that when they come in.” For something new, Limmud-Oz’s After Dark program on Sunday, June 7, will offer a series of sessions, as well as entertainment with local musicians performing alongside international guest Y-Love, an African-American Orthodox Jewish rapper.
Y-Love will perform on Sunday, June 7 at 8.15pm and will also present other sessions throughout the festival. Other musicians include Melbourne-based composer Adam Starr, soul, folk-rock and reggae band Three-Quarters Hazel, percussionist Nicola Ossher, jazz musician Mark Ginsburg and punk rockers Yidcore.
Limmud-Oz co-ordinator Michael Misrachi said: “The way the community comes together for Limmud-Oz to engage, learn and celebrate Jewish life is inspiring. “I genuinely don’t believe there is anything like Limmud-Oz in the world — the vibrancy, the diversity, the stimulation is extraordinary. This is a Jewish experience like no other.”