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Limmud OZ + NZ Online 2020

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Please be aware that all times are scheduled according to Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). Should you wish to visualise the schedule in your local time zone, see the "Timezone" button on the right hand side.

For a selection of published works by Limmud presenters, click here.

8:00pm AEST

5 things you should know about the Israeli economy and cheese

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 4
The biggest single protest during the Arab Spring wasn’t about democracy. It was about cheese. And it took place in Tel Aviv, not Cairo, Damascus or Tripoli. On 6 August 2011, over 300,000 Israelis took to the streets to demand more affordable cottage cheese. Why was the biggest popular movement in the nation’s history sparked by the rising price of cheese and what can it tell us about structural flaws in the Israeli economy?

Speakers

Raph Managem

Raphael is a policy analyst for a leading government relations firm. He was previously the director of a political fellowship program. Raphael has a BA, studying international law at Hebrew University and international relations at UQ, where his professors described him as 'informed... Read More →

Saturday June 6, 2020 8:00pm - 9:00pm AEST
ROOM 4

Everything Israel

11:00am AEST

4 dimensions of peace in Israel

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 12
Ben-Zion will explore four peace initiatives: i) a one-week Eco-Peace Middle East/Unity Earth Tour focussing on making peace through saving the Jordan River; ii) interfaith harmony initiatives, including people from diverse faith traditions; iii) Dances of Universal Peace; iv) education of Israeli and Palestinian children together with Hebrew and Arabic teachers. Shalom, Salaam, Om Shanti.

Speakers

Ben-Zion Weiss

Ben-Zion Weiss is a community educator in social ecology, meditation, yoga, Sufism, drama, ESOL, cross-cultural conflict and non-violence training. He’s lectured at university and his PhD was on anti-racism drama education. Ben-Zion has written books/chapters/papers on creativity... Read More →

Ben Zion Weiss, 4 dimensions of peace pdf

Sunday June 7, 2020 11:00am - 12:00pm AEST
ROOM 12

Everything Israel

11:00am AEST

Israeli stem cells as a therapy for diabetes in Australia

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 10
Type 1 diabetes affects 122,000 young Australians and 21 million worldwide. Daily insulin administration is needed to control sugar levels. Stem cell therapies introduced in bioengineered devices are a possible means of overcoming the need for insulin administration. This session will discuss the science and Halacha of using stem cells, and the arrangements between an Australian diabetes research institute and the Israeli company, Kadimastem Ltd, examining the suitability of a device for clinical use.

Speakers

Bernie Tuch

Bernard Tuch is an observant Jew spearheading an Australian consortium to use Israeli insulin-producing stem cells as a therapy for type 1 diabetes. He is an endocrinologist, Professor of Medicine in Sydney and Melbourne, and director of both the NSW Stem Cell Network and the Australian... Read More →

Sunday June 7, 2020 11:00am - 12:00pm AEST
ROOM 10

Everything Israel

11:00am AEST

Perspectives and images from two Australians recently returned from three months in East Jerusalem and Hebron

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 2
A presentation from two Australian contributors to The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) who each spent three months in Hebron and East Jerusalem during 2019. EAPPI provides protection by presence to vulnerable Palestinian communities, monitors human rights abuses, supports Israeli and Palestinian peace activists, and advocates for an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. EAPPI is an initiative of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

Speakers

Adrian Brown

Adrian works as a fundraising consultant, assisting not-for-profit organisations achieve their fundraising objectives. Adrian is a keen student of Israel Palestine geopolitics and spent three months in East Jerusalem with the EAPPI in late 2019, early 2020

Andrew Telfer

Andrew Telfer retired from the SA Police in 2012 after 40+ years of service. He spent three months in Hebron with the EAPPI in late 2019.

Sunday June 7, 2020 11:00am - 12:00pm AEST
ROOM 2

Everything Israel

12:00pm AEST

Israeli humour: the (funny) story of the country

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 5
In a complex society such as Israel’s, humour is an important refuge. Three main themes have emerged for Israeli society: countries of origin, Jewish-Arab relations, and the army. Sefi will examine how black humour plays a vital role in both Israeli and Palestinian society. And of course - we'll share many jokes!

Speakers

Sefi Shalam

Sefi has spent his career on two tracks: 1. youth engagement and international relations (including in the US Embassy to Israel); 2. media, through TV and website production and content roles. He admits he is a geek about Israeli politics and history. Since April 2019, he has been... Read More →

Sunday June 7, 2020 12:00pm - 1:00pm AEST
ROOM 5

Everything Israel, Cool for Teens!

6:30pm AEST

Israel that you don't know

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 3
Hen is an energetic activist and advocate for his people. As the son of Mizrahi Jewish refugees from Iraq and North Africa (Berber Jews from Tunisia), Hen has a unique and important voice in today’s discussions, sharing his family’s story as part of the 850,000 Jewish refugees from the Middle East and North Africa. As a young Israeli, Hen served in the IDF for almost five years as an openly gay commander. During his service as a lieutenant in the COGAT unit, he worked as an intermediary between the Israeli Defense Forces (the IDF), the Palestinian Authority, the UN, and many non-governmental organisations that operate in the West Bank.

Speakers

Hen Mazzig

Hen Mazzig is the son of Mizrahi Jewish refugees from Iraq and North Africa. He has written for the LA Times, NBC News, Haaretz, The Forward, Jewish Chronicle and International Business Times. Since 2016, he has worked as a freelance consultant to help pro-Israel and social justice... Read More →

Sunday June 7, 2020 6:30pm - 7:30pm AEST
ROOM 3

Everything Israel

6:30pm AEST

We're all doomed! The pessimistic predictions of the early Zionists

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 9
The early Zionists were a pretty pessimistic lot. Whether it was catastrophic violence from without or creeping assimilation from within, they firmly believed that, without a Jewish state, the Jews were doomed. With the benefit of a century of hindsight, we’ll see if the prophecies of Herzl, Pinsker, Jabotinsky and others still feel relevant in 2020.

Speakers

Robin Moss

Robin Moss is the Director of Strategy of UJIA, the UK’s largest Israel charity. One of the leading voices in the Israel educational conversation in Anglo-Jewry, he grew up in the young movement LJY-Netzer, sits on the Board of National Officers of Liberal Judaism and is the Co-Chair... Read More →

Early Zionists We're All Doomed Limmud Oz 2020 (1) pdf

Sunday June 7, 2020 6:30pm - 7:30pm AEST
ROOM 9

Everything Israel

6:30pm AEST

“All in the Family: New Zealand Roots & Israeli- Palestinian stories of Connection - A Conversation with Dina Kraft”

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 11
In this conversation, Tanya will explore Dina's personal journey including her New Zealand family connections, her American childhood, her move to Israel and her current work on Israeli-Palestinian connections through her podcast, The Branch.

Speakers

Dina Kraft

Dina Kraft is a journalist, editor and educator. She is host of "The Branch", a podcast sponsored by Hadassah about Arab/Palestinian-Israeli coexistence in all its complexity. She is also a correspondent for both Haaretz and The Christian Science Monitor where she reports on Israeli... Read More →

Tanya Thomson

Tanya Thomson discovered Limmud through Limmud Oz and went on to co-found Limmud NZ. She is delighted to see LImmud Oz + NZ combine this year. Tanya is also a lawyer, mother and an old school friend of Dina Kraft, her interview subject at Limmud Oz+NZ

Sunday June 7, 2020 6:30pm - 7:30pm AEST
ROOM 11

Everything Israel

7:30pm AEST

A vision for a new Zionism

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 4
Given this year's recurring elections and the growing divide between religious and secular, Jew and Muslim, Israel and Diaspora, a new philosophy of Zionism that unites rather than segregates may be beneficial. While classical Zionism established a Jewish State, a greater spiritual vision is called for in our time. In 1955, the renowned Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan published "A New Zionism". In this prophetic work, Kaplan predicted many of the difficulties that plague the Jewish State today. What insights can we glean from this work and how can we implement them to ensure a brighter future for our people?

Speakers

Jonathan Sadoff

Rabbi, Kehilat Nitzan

Yonatan Sadoff is spiritual leader of Kehilat Nitzan, Melbourne's only Masorti/Conservative congregation. Ordained by the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary in Jerusalem and formerly rabbi of Kehillat Magen Avraham in Omer, Israel, Rabbi Sadoff is interested in how Jewish texts, interpretation... Read More →

$Limmud 2020 A New Vision of Zionism1 (1) pptx

Sunday June 7, 2020 7:30pm - 8:30pm AEST
ROOM 4

Everything Israel

8:30pm AEST

How to innovate like an Israeli

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 13
Israel has a population of only nine million people, is surrounded by hostile neighbours, has limited natural resources and is the size of Tasmania. As a result, innovators know how to use constraints and generate possibilities and transform them into innovative solutions; entrepreneurs know how to execute these transformations into lean and agile companies that deliver commercial outcomes. Enabled by a unique and enviable innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem. What are the unique cultural drivers, mindsets and behaviours, and how can you apply them to be innovative in your world?

Speakers

Janet Sernack

Janet enables people and organisations to be, think and act differently, co-creating a world where people matter and innovation is the norm. Janet has 30 years’ experience consulting with Australasia’s and Israel’s top 100 companies. In 2010 she relocated to Israel and joined... Read More →

Sunday June 7, 2020 8:30pm - 9:30pm AEST
ROOM 13

Everything Israel

8:30pm AEST

Israel uncovered

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 7
Travel the length and breadth of Israel, from today back to the days of Abraham. You will learn how the land's typography has shaped Israel's history, culture and political development throughout the ages. You will also learn why Israel stands at the forefront of world-changing scientific, technological, agricultural and medical innovations. Ideal for those who have travelled to Israel and yearn to know more, for those who are planning a trip to Israel, or for those who just want to learn more from an inspiring eighth generation Yerushalmi (Jerusalemite).

Speakers

Erez Feinberg

Erez is the head of informal Jewish education at the primary school at Mount Scopus and is the chairperson for Zionism Victoria’s Department of “Hebrew Language and Israeli Culture”. Born in Jerusalem (8 generations "Yerushalmi"), Erez has a master’s in School Leadership... Read More →

Sunday June 7, 2020 8:30pm - 9:30pm AEST
ROOM 7

Everything Israel, Cool for Teens!

6:30pm AEST

Israel’s Inexplicably Robust Democracy: Its Strengths, Weaknesses and Surprising Origins

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 13
Israel lacks many of the institutions usually seen as necessary elements of a democracy: meaningful separation of powers, rights enshrined in constitutional law, or even an explicit liberal ethos at its founding. Yet this fragile political system has weathered wars and crises, the anxieties of vulnerability and the temptations of power, internal ethnic strife and civil unrest, and still managed to deliver prosperity and freedom for Israelis. Is its strength assured, or is the anxiety about its future justified? And what happens when it fails to deliver those things?

Speakers

Haviv Rettig Gur

A veteran Israeli-American journalist and analyst, Haviv serves as The Times of Israel’s senior analyst.He has reported from over 20 countries and served as director of communications for the JewishAgency for Israel, Israel’s largest NGO. He lectures on Israeli politics, the US-Israel... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2020 6:30pm - 7:30pm AEST
ROOM 13

Everything Israel

7:30pm AEST

Making sense of Israeli politics: Tal Schneider in conversation

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 4
Join the award-winning chief political correspondent of the Israeli daily “Globes”, in conversation with Plus61J editor Dr Shahar Burla as they discuss how Israeli politics works and why it matters to us.

Speakers

Shahar Burla

Shahar Burla is a Sydney-based researcher and lecturer and a contributing editor for Plus61JMedia. Shahar holds a Master’s degree in political science from the Hebrew University and a PhD from Bar-Ilan University. He is the co-editor of “Australia and Israel: A Diasporic, Cultural... Read More →

Tal Schneider

Tal Schneider is the diplomatic and political correspondent for Globes Business Newspaper. A former D.C. correspondent for Maariv Daily and political blogger running her own political blog “The Plog”, Tal is a frequent commentator on Israeli radio & tv. She was ranked 32nd on... Read More →

Monday June 8, 2020 7:30pm - 8:30pm AEST
ROOM 4

Everything Israel

8:30pm AEST

Why Bibi wins and why you don't get it

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 11
Bibi Netanyahu's electoral success has often confused many diaspora Jews. Israel's ethnic divisions are not often discussed outside the country but dominate the way many Israelis see their political system and themselves. The history of how Mizrachi Jews were treated in the first few decades of the state is essential to understanding Israel today. This conversation will be honest, brutal and, hopefully, enlightening.

Speakers

Zachary Gomo

Zach Gomo is the head of Jewish Studies at Bialik College.

Monday June 8, 2020 8:30pm - 9:30pm AEST
ROOM 11

Everything Israel

11:00am AEST

Israel and the Asia Pacific Region – New Frontiers

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 2
The Asia-Pacific region is commonly identified as the most dynamic in the global arena in terms of economic, political, demographic, security/defense and other criteria. Israel’s relations with the region have grown exponentially in recent years and not only with India and China.
In light of recent global events, how is Israel managing the tensions between China and the US? Ho has this impacted the Middle East? Can the Asia-Pacific region replace the traditional focuses of Israel’s foreign policy? What have the two sides gained from this relationship?

Speakers

Mark Sofer

Mark Sofer is the Ambassador of Israel to Australia. Mark Sofer is a career diplomat with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His distinguished career with the Ministry has seen him posted to Peru, Norway, and New York, before being appointed as Ambassador to Ireland, and later as Ambassador... Read More →

Sunday June 14, 2020 11:00am - 12:00pm AEST
ROOM 2

Everything Israel

6:30pm AEST

How Jewish is the Jewish State? A look from the trenches

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 15
Israel’s Declaration of Independence, signed 72 years ago, declared the establishment of a “Jewish State in Eretz Yisrael”. Within a few years, laws were passed that gave Israel’s rabbinate jurisdiction over marriage and divorce, and over the years, issues of religion and state have become highly charged in Israel, particularly during election seasons. This session will give a background to the religion and State debate, through the prism of actual cases that have be handled by ITIM, Rabbi Farber’s organisation.

Speakers

Seth Farber

Seth is an American-Israeli Orthodox rabbi, historian, and social activist. In 2002, Seth founded ITIM. ITIM operates a free Assistance Center that helps 5,000 people each year navigate government bureaucracy on matters of Jewish life, particularly marriage and conversion, runs a... Read More →

Sunday June 14, 2020 6:30pm - 7:30pm AEST
ROOM 15

Everything Israel

6:30pm AEST

What I learnt about Israelis and Palestinians from working at an interfaith youth movement in East Jerusalem

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 5
In this session, Ittay Flescher will share his reflections about the complex identities of Jewish, Muslim and Christian residents of Jerusalem through his experience as the education director at Kids4peace. In the workshop, there will be opportunities to experience parts of programs run for the youth and ask questions about the benefits and challenges of cross-border contact between cultures and societies whose people are in conflict.

Speakers

Ittay Flescher

Ittay Flescher is the Education Director at Kids4Peace Jerusalem, an interfaith movement for Israelis and Palestinians and Israel Correspondent for Plu61J Media. He also frequently teaches on gap year programs about the identity, narratives and cultures of the people who call Jerusalem... Read More →

Sunday June 14, 2020 6:30pm - 7:30pm AEST
ROOM 5

Everything Israel

7:30pm AEST

Mind Over Terror - 3 Weeks 2 Cities 1 Mission

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 14
A true story of three significant traumatic events which affected two UK cities. Rabbi Dov, a combat veteran of an elite IDF paratrooper unit, embarked on one incredible mission, a mission to change the way we approach mental health in dealing with survivors of psychological shock and trauma. In today's world, it is imperative that society possesses the mental skills to be able to effectively manage the impact, and aftermath of terror. Rabbi Dov, originally from Scotland, founded Heads Up CIO, a UK charity and the world's first dedicated emergency cognitive psychological first aid rescue service for psychological shock.

Speakers

Dov Benyaacov-Kurtzman

Dov Benyaacov-Kurtzman is an Israeli registered clinical social worker. At present he is living in Manchester, UK after having founded a 4th Emergency Service "Heads Up CIO" disseminating and practicing Israeli technology in Emergency Cognitive Psychological First Aid for psychological... Read More →

Sunday June 14, 2020 7:30pm - 8:30pm AEST
ROOM 14

Everything Israel

7:30pm AEST

“Complicated Times”: How to talk (and think) about Israel through a pandemic, three elections, a prime minister on trial, and other quandaries

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 4
The Promised podcast comes to Limmud
Join journalist Allison Kaplan Sommer and professor Noah Efron, hosts of the consistently high rating hyperlink on Israeli politics, culture and society for a discussion on how to talk and think about complicated times in Israel – a pandemic, three elections, a prime minster on trial and other quandaries. It will be informative, provocative and fun.

Speakers

Allison Kaplan Sommer

Allison has been a journalist at Haaretz since 2012 and is a co-host of the Promised Podcast. She is the former Washington DC bureau chief for the Jerusalem Post, and has also written for the New Republic, Politico, and other publications. She won a 2016 B’nai B’rith World Center... Read More →

Noah Efron

Noah Efron founded, and is a professor in, the program on science, technology & society at Bar Ilan University. He hosts “The Promised Podcast” on TLV1. He is a founder and leader of Israel’s Green Party and served on the Tel Aviv-Jaffa City Council. He’s written three books... Read More →

Sunday June 14, 2020 7:30pm - 8:30pm AEST
ROOM 4

Everything Israel

8:30pm AEST

Syrians and Israelis - but not at war: the refugee crisis

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 5
Molly Bernstein, former IsraAID head of mission in Greece, will discuss her experiences working with her “enemies” toward education and integration, building hope in the shadow of the refugee crisis.

Speakers

Molly Bernstein

Molly has lived in a smattering of strange places like Morocco, Tajikistan, and Philadelphia—picking up Arabic and Persian on the way. She led IsraAID’s work in Greece’s refugee camps, and recently returned home to Tel Aviv, where she works on IsraAID's communications team and... Read More →

Sunday June 14, 2020 8:30pm - 9:30pm AEST
ROOM 5

Everything Israel

8:30pm AEST

What we mean when we talk about annexation

CLICK HERE TO ENTER ZOOM ROOM 3
The Israeli government has set a date for beginning the process to "extend sovereignty" over parts of the West Bank. If it does, the move could be cataclysmic for Israelis, Palestinians and the region. But three weeks ahead of the date, hardly anyone knows just what annexation means, where it might happen, what impact it will have on Israel, Palestine and why it matters for the region and the world. The session will address these questions.

Speakers

Dahlia Scheindlin

A public opinion expert and international political and strategic consultant who has advised eight national campaigns in Israel and worked in over 15 other countries, Dahlia conducts extensive public opinion research and policy analysis on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, comparative... Read More →

Sunday June 14, 2020 8:30pm - 9:30pm AEST
ROOM 3

Everything Israel