Limmud Oz Sydney to proceed after withdrawals

Limmud Oz Sydney will go ahead on 7-8 June after a falling-out with two of its collaborating organisations over the festival’s speaker program.

Adamama and Shalom Collective have withdrawn from the event following a disagreement over the participation of one of the speakers.

It is understood the dispute centred on a presenter who is involved with an anti-Zionist group and has participated in anti-Israel protests, though the topic they were to address at the festival was reportedly unrelated to those political views.

In an announcement to the community, Limmud organisers said they were “very sorry” the collaboration had broken down because the groups “could not agree on the final program”.

Adamama’s contribution has been removed from the event, meaning the “Sustainable Lifestyle” and “Families” streams have been cancelled.

Ticket holders will be refunded and offered the opportunity to buy new tickets at a “new, extremely reduced price”.

In a statement, Limmud Oz Sydney said: “We are committed to our values of diversity, respect and participation. The Limmud tent is wide and inclusive. We do not exclude Jews from Jewish learning and teaching. We believe that bringing together Jews of different denominations, ages, backgrounds and politics makes us stronger.”

Not everyone agreed. JNF Schlicha Sarah Vanunu withdrew as a speaker from this year’s event, saying that while she supported debate and diversity of thought, communal institutions needed to set limits.

“For years, Limmud has championed the idea of the ‘big tent’ – a space for diverse Jewish voices and perspectives,” she said. “But every tent has boundaries.”

Vanunu said she was concerned about individuals who had “actively campaigned against my country’s legitimacy and participated in movements that seek its dismantling” being given a platform within Jewish communal institutions.

“I believe in transparency. I believe in debate. I believe in diversity of thought,” she said.

“But I also believe that our community has a responsibility to distinguish between legitimate disagreement and the normalisation of platforming activists and extremists who oppose the very existence of the Jewish state.”

Limmud Oz Sydney is urging community members to attend the revised festival.

We hope you will join us to celebrate Jewish ideas and culture,” the organisation said.