Dear Limmudnik,
The
programme for the Leeds Day Limmud on 6 March is almost finalised
with over 40 sessions on an exciting range of topics. There is still
time to take advantage of the Early Bird prices which increase after 6th
February. Lunch and refreshments are provided, and
there is a Young Limmud programme for children and teenagers. A
pre-booked creche if available if booked by 6th February.
What
goodies do we have for you this time? Do you want to learn how Jews
in films are portrayed from one of our most popular Presenters,
Nathan Abrams? Or do you want to find the real links between Hitler
and Wagner from Margaret Brearley? Or how about the connection
between Jewish Tradition and Medicine from Monty Losowski?
Rabbi
Naftali Brawer and his son Asher will both be coming to Leeds this
year. Rabbi Brawer, the Senior Rabbi at Borehamwood & Elstree
United Synagogue, will be presenting a session on 'Angels &
Demons: Real or Imaginary: Do they really exist and what part do they
play in our lives?' Drawing on the writings and teaching of rabbis
and thinkers throughout the ages, he will try and discover what
angels and demons might mean for a 21st century Jew. High
School student Asher's session is entitled 'I need a Hero: from
Samson to Hercules', and will look at the concept of heroism as it
develops through the Bible as well as Greek poetic sagas.
Dr
Lawrence Goldman of St Peter's College, Oxford, editor of the
Dictionary of National Biography, will be highlighting some of the
1000 Anglo Jews featured in this directory. In his session 'Tinker
Tailor Soldier Gunef', he will examine the varied roles taken by Jews
in Britain from medieval times to the present. "Most were good
but some were bad, and a few were downright ugly" he comments.
Lindsay
Taylor-Guthartz, a regular at Limmud Conference, will be presenting
'A Tour of Tehillim (Psalms)'. She will look at the psalms in more
detail and try and answer key questions such as who wrote the psalms?
and how many are there?
Leeds-based
professional magician Malcolm Yaffe makes a welcome return with a
presentation entitled 'Jews and Magical Entertainment: Houdini -
Before and After'. He will be exploring the influence of Jews in
magical entertainment from the 18th century to the present day
including what he summarises as "Victorian wizards and laid-back
modern-day necromancers".
We
have dancing, music, texts, Israel, politics, and history and a full
Young Limmud programme - something for everyone! This is one of the
flagship events of the Leeds Jewish community and we encourage people
of all ages and from the whole of the religious spectrum to attend.
This is our milestone 10th Day Limmud so come and join the
party!
For
more details contact leeds@limmud.org, telephone 0113 345 3382 or check out the
website www.limmud.org/day/leeds
Best wishes
The Leeds Limmud Team