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Seminar Room 13 Limmud Midlands 2019 1

LIMMUD MIDLANDS 2019 PARTICIPANT’S HANDBOOK

Contents

Welcome to Limmud Midlands 2019 ...... 2

Directions to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham ...... 4

Important Information for the Day ...... 5

Thank You ...... 6

Limmud’s Mission Statement ...... 7

Progra mme Session Information ...... 8

Presenter Information ...... 12

Map ...... inside back cover

Session Planner ...... back cover

Limmud 1A Hall Street North Finchley London N12 8DB

Tel +44 (0)20 3115 1620 Fax +44 (0)20 8446 0961 Email [email protected] Web www.limmud.org

Limmud is a company limited by guarantee in England no. 3903050. Charity Commissioner’s registration no. 1083414. 2 Limmud Midlands 2019 Limmud Midlands 2019 3

WELCOME TO LIMMUD MIDLANDS FROM THE CHAIR OF LIMMUD

As the organising team for Limmud Midlands Volunteers form the backbone of any Limmud venture. It is an incredible honour and privilege to wish Limmud’s unique model of volunteer-led, cross- it is a pleasure and privilege to welcome you to the If you want to help Limmud Midlands happen again Limmud Midlands a huge Mazal Tov on what promises communal, multi-generational and transformational Queen Elizabeth Hospital for the second day Limmud then why not volunteer, we would love to have you. to be an inspiring and transformative gathering! Jewish experiences is now truly global and by the end in the Midlands. We hope that you will agree that Limmud Midlands is the result of the passion of 2019 will have taken place on every continent in the So, above all, enjoy the day, and thank you all for we have an interesting and engaging programme, and commitment of a dedicated team of volunteers world – including Antarctica! We invite you to travel your contributions to making Limmud Midlands with something for all tastes. Feel free to follow your and we owe them all a huge thank you. and experience Limmuds in other parts of the UK a great day out. interests, develop new horizons, and be prepared and other countries and parts of the world. Whichever In addition to the Limmud team, we are very grateful to challenge and be challenged. Remember that Limmud you travel to, you will feel right at home. to Richard Wharton and the Chaplaincy team at the at Limmud, there is no audience, everyone is either The Limmud Midlands Team Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for all their a participant or a presenter- and the presenters help enabling this amazing Limmud to happen and are also participants! On a personal note, I spent three wonderful years to the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS being welcomed by the Birmingham community when We are very grateful to the University Hospitals Foundation Trust for providing the venue. I was a student at the University of Birmingham. It Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust who have allowed Thank you also to all those who have worked behind comes as no surprise that such a warm community, us to use their excellent conference facility and in the scenes to support the Limmud Midlands team, together with others including the Nottingham particular to the Chaplaincy team headed by Richard especially Cathy and Nadia, our UK communities’ community where I experienced my first ever Limmud, Wharton for their patience and support. liaisons and our dedicated staff with a special mention have come together to celebrate and inspire so many to Alanna, Max, Jon, Eli, Suzy and Clive. of us at Limmud Midlands.

Another thank you is for YOU. You are one of over From the bottom of my heart, thank you everyone 40,000 people who have participated in nearly who has played a part – as volunteer, presenter 90 Limmuds across 42 countries around the world or participant. Limmud is what it is because of you. in the last year. You might even be one of the B’shalom, WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL 4,000 volunteers who make this happen globally. The numbers may be big but we appreciate the part that every one of you has played in building a truly BIRMINGHAM Shoshana Bloom remarkable global Limmud community – one that Global Chair, Limmud University Hospital Birmingham (“UHB”) is delighted people during their visits to hospital. There is a long- started here in the UK nearly forty years ago. to be able to host this Limmud, and on behalf of the established relationship between Chaplaincy at UHB Trust I would like to welcome you here for this and the Jewish community. Yossi Jacobs holds exciting occasion. an Honorary Contract with the Trust and provides an invaluable link with the Jewish community in the city. UHB is one of Europe’s leading hospitals with a proven international reputation for quality of care, information I hope that this day is nourishing and enlightening, technology, clinical education and training and and we look forward to strengthening further the links research. Alongside this reputation, we seek to be that already exist. FROM THE CO-CHAIR OF LIMMUD an organisation that listens well to our patients, staff FESTIVAL 2019 and the local community. Reverend Canon Richard Wharton The Trust employs a group of Chaplains from a diverse The Limmud Midlands and Limmud Festival teams The discount runs from today, 31 March, until Thursday (Chaplaincy Team Leader) cross-section of the city of Birmingham, and although hope that today will inspire you to take part in another 11 April. For more information and to book, go to we come from specific religious traditions, the presence Limmud experience in Birmingham in 2019 – Limmud https://events.limmud.org/limmud-festival-2019/apply, and support we offer is not limited to people who Festival. We are delighted to offer Limmud Midlands or call the office on 020 3115 1620 (Monday – Thursday are religious. We understand that there are times participants a special local discount. Since Limmud 9am-5pm). when we all need a compassionate, listening ear, Festival takes place right here in Birmingham, day We look forward to seeing you there! and we are frequently called upon to be alongside and non-residential places are ideal options, which you can secure now with prices frozen at the 2018 early bird discount rate! Dan Heller Co-Chair Limmud Festival 2019 4 Limmud Midlands 2019 Limmud Midlands 2019 5

DIRECTIONS TO THE QUEEN ELIZABETH IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THE DAY HOSPITAL BIRMINGHAM (QE) Arrival and Badges Lunch and Refreshments By Train From the M6/M1 You can arrive any time after 09:00 . You will not Lunch will be served between 12:35 and 13:25 The nearest station to the hospital is University station, · Leave the M6 at Junction 6 be admitted to Limmud Midlands unless you have in the balcony area . Afternoon sessions will start booked in advance. For everyone’s security, please promptly at 13:25 . All food is kosher – lunch is catered which is less than 10 minutes' walk from the hospital. · Follow the signs for A38 (Bristol Road) towards make sure that your wear your name badge at all by Hermolis. The hospital is clearly signposted from the station. Bromsgrove University station is on the Cross City line. There are times and please remember to hand in your lanyard · After leaving the city centre, continue along the There will be a morning break for tea and coffee trains approximately every 10 minutes from New (the cord holding the badge) at the end of the day, A38 towards Selly Oak, following signs marked between 11:10 and 11:35 and an afternoon break Street station in Birmingham city centre (final so we can reuse it at another Limmud event. “Queen Elizabeth / H / A&E ” for tea and coffee between 15:35 and 16:05 . Tea and destination: Longbridge or Redditch). Certain services coffee will be served in the . · At the fork in the road, near the Esso petrol station, balcony area from Birmingham New Street station towards Hereford Information, First Aid and Emergencies and Cardiff also stop at University station, but please take the right fork, again following the A38 and signs The Helpdesk is located in the balcony area. This will check before boarding. for ” Queen Elizabeth ” no Smoking be staffed throughout the day. Please contact the · At the first roundabout, turn right onto Limmud Midlands is a no smoking event. Smoking Helpdesk if you need first aid or if you need assistance new Fosse Way is not allowed anywhere in the Queen Elizabeth By Bus in an emergency. Any lost property you find should · At the next roundabout, turn left onto Hospital Hospital building. Visit https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/travelling-by-bus.htm be brought here. Way and park in Car Park A for information about buses to the hospital. You can call a member of the team on the · Disabled parking for blue badge holders Hospital Patients is available in Car Park A2 (accessed via the Limmud Midlands mobile phone number which As it is Mothering Sunday, there will be religious By Bicycle entrance to Car Park A) is 07464 423595 and will be accessible all day if you need to contact us for any reason. services taking place all day in the Faith Centre It's easy to get to the hospital by bike. There are lots · Follow the signs from the car park to the main at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital during Limmud of cycle paths to the hospital, and cycle storage hospital entrance . Limmud Midlands is on the In the event of a fire or other emergency, the muster Midlands. Since this is next to the Education Centre is available at the main entrance to the hospital. first floor. point is the atrium in the main entrance of the Queen patients attending services will have to use the Elizabeth Hospital. balcony area. Please be courteous to them. By road Car parking charges From the M5 Accessibility Photography and Recording Time Tariff All rooms are on the first floor and are fully accessible. of Sessions · Leave M5 at Junction 4 and follow A38 Birmingham The first floor is accessible by stairs or lift – please 1 hour £3.00 Photographing and recording of sessions at Limmud for 6.75 miles, after which you will encounter follow the signs. a major set of traffic lights Midlands is forbidden . The only exception to this 3 hours £4.50 Wheelchairs provided at the Queen Elizabeth rule is photographs taken by Limmud Midlands’ official · Turn left following A4040 Harborne/Queen Hospital are for the use of patients. If you photographer. If you do not want to be in photographs Elizabeth , passing the large Sainsbury’s store 4 hours £5.20 require a wheelchair you must bring your own. (which may appear in reports or publicity for future on your right 5 hours £6.00 events) please let the photographer know. · At the roundabout take the second exit onto 6 hours £6.70 Aston Webb Boulevard Sessions · Continue over the next roundabout onto 8 hours £7.50 Sessions, which will start on time , last for one hour. new Fosse Way . Over 8 hours £14.90 Please be courteous to the presenters and switch off · At the next roundabout, turn left onto mobile phones during sessions. Please do not enter Hospital Way and park in Car Park A a session after it has started or leave during the middle of a session. This is disruptive for both · Disabled parking for blue badge holders presenters and participants. is available in Car Park A2 (accessed via the entrance to Car Park A) For everyone’s safety and comfort please do not · Follow the signs from the car park to the main attend a session if there is no seating available. hospital entrance . Limmud Midlands is on the Please do not block aisles or doorways in the rooms first floor. as this creates a fire safety risk. Drinks (with the exception of water) and food may not be taken into sessions. 6 Limmud Midlands 2019 Limmud Midlands 2019 7

THANK YOU Arguments for the Sake of Heaven

Community and Mutual Responsibility An event like this does not happen without lots of help. We would like to thank all those people who have helped to make this event possible. Apologies to anyone we have forgotten. Diversity Thank you to: Enabling Connections MISSION STATEMENT All our Presenters CST and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s Empowerment AND VALUES Security Staff All our volunteers To all those people, especially those who stand MISSION: LIMMUD’S PROMISE The Limmud Midlands Team in the wind and rain, so that we can be safe. COMMUNITY AND MUTUAL Michal Arrowsmith, John Boulton, Ruth Drapkin, RESPONSIBILITY The Catering Team Wherever you find yourself, Ruth Jacobs, Enid Korn, Mike Kretzmer, Limmud is a community of learning. Lizzie Gardner, Sara Wagstaff and Hermolis, Limmud will take you one step further Marion Kinshuck, Hannah Nagar, Neil Pike, We can achieve more together our caterer. than we can individually. Naomi Rowe and Anthea Shaylor. on your Jewish journey We gain from, and should give something Also Our Partners at the University Hospitals back to, the Jewish and wider community. Claire Lobel for designing and printing this handbook. Birmingham nHS Foundation Trust Expanding Jewish Horizons Richard Wharton, David Harrison, Jackie Gayle And finally… Learning and Maureen Foxall from the Chaplaincy team To all our partipants for coming to Limmud Midlands. LEARNING ARGUMENTS FOR THE SAKE OF HEAVEN at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. We hope that you enjoy the day. Please remember Participation Everyone should be a We recognise and appreciate that ‘arguments to complete your evaluation form before you leave. student and anyone can for the sake of Heaven’ can make a positive The national Limmud Team be a teacher. contribution to furthering our education and Religious Observance understanding. Cathy Knowles and Nadia Lipsey our Regional Day Learning embraces personal co-ordinators; John Freedman, Alanna Lewis, development, knowledge and skills. We do not participate in legitimising or Respect de-legitimising any religious or political position Max Naar and Suzy Margulies – the amazing staff Learning changes people, inspires action found in the worldwide Jewish community. and opens new worlds. Anyone coming to Limmud seeking opportunities in the Limmud office. We encourage the creation of a learning for this will not find them. We have no environment in which people are able to reflect part to play in the debates between/across and grow. denominations. There are many inspirations that can offer Sessions which encourage vigorous debate opportunities for learning. are entirely acceptable but we will seek to avoid religious or political conflict. Sessions should be educational, and not polemical. LIMMUD CAN’T GET DIVERSITY We value the rich diversity among Jews, and so we seek ENOUGH to create cross-communal and MIDLANDS inter-generational experiences. EMPOWERMENT RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE We value accessibility, NEEDS OF LIMMUD? and aim to be accessible to all. We inspire people to be ambitious about Shabbat and kashrut are observed in all their contribution. public areas. We value choice in form, content and style Save the Date for these in our programmes. We challenge people, and trust them to rise We recognise that in private areas, people to that challenge. will behave as they wish. Uk Limmud Events in 2019: We encourage people not to stereotype others. We see the potential of individuals and Should participants wish to hold a prayer communities, and support their development. group, they may do so providing they supply Manchester Limmud all resources and are responsible for the session YOU We empower people to make choices and or prayer group in its entirety. Help create the next Limmud Midlands Sunday 30 June provide the information they need to inform those Limmud Midlands is run entirely by volunteers choices (including in the biographies which we ask ENABLING CONNECTIONS and we will soon be planning the next event. presenters to provide). Leeds Limmud We aim to create opportunities for communities But it may not happen if you don’t play your Sunday 15 September and individuals to connect. part to help keep Limmud alive and kicking We recognise the strength of providing a in the Midlands. The return of Scotland Limmud space where spiritual, emotional and intellectual connections are made. (in Edinburgh) PARTICIPATION RESPECT Please email us at [email protected] Sunday 24 November – First event in 4 years Volunteerism is a key feature of almost No-one is more important than anyone else. or speak to any of the team today if you think everything we do. Limmud Festival We expect all participants to be respectful of one you can help make Limmud Midlands even better. We are all responsible for each other and for another, and to recognise that all volunteers are Sunday 22 to Thursday 26 December 2019 EXPANDING JEWISH HORIZONS the communities we create – everyone has an also participants. important contribution to make. There will be a follow-up event for volunteers preceded by Shabbat Limmud We strive to create individual, collective and Personal attacks are not acceptable in any soon – we’ll be in touch with details. communal experiences, through which we We encourage participants to take an active Limmud context, especially within sessions Friday 20 to Shabbat 21st December 2019 strengthen and develop our Jewish identity. part in all we do. at events.

Thanks in advance for your help April 2014

01:20 8 Limmud Midlands 2019 Limmud Midlands 2019 9

SESSION The Working Lives of Earlier Generations: Session Two Sibling Rivalry: Early Jewish-Christian Jewish Cabinet Makers, 1880-1960 11:35 – 12:35 Relations and Their Legacy Today INFORMATION Len Smith Ann Conway –Jones Room: Seminar Room 10 Room: Seminar Room 12 Cabinet-making was one of the most prominent Jewish Why I Left the Labour Party Over Jesus was an observant Jew who was circumcised, occupations in Britain during the first half of the twentieth Antisemitism attended synagogue, and celebrated Jewish festivals. Welcome century, occupying several thousand men in London and Ian Austin Today, Judaism and Christianity are separate religions. 9:45 – 10:00 the provinces. This session will outline the historical Room: Lecture Theatre 3 How did this happen? Ann presents the latest scholarship development of the industry, particularly following the on what is known as ‘the parting of the ways’, and In this session Ian will outline why he is a Friend of Israel large-scale Jewish immigration that began around 1880. discusses the implications for how Jews and Christians and why he decided to leave the Labour Party over It will consider issues of ethnic identity and conflict, should relate to each other today. Session One antisemitism. working conditions and industrial relations. The material 10:10 -11:10 presented is largely drawn from contemporary reports, autobiographies, and interviews conducted with people The Boy Who Followed His Father Can Women Become Orthodox Rabbis? who were formerly engaged in the furniture trades. into Auschwitz nechama Atlas The Hidden Dynamics of the Seder Room: Seminar Room 13 Jeremy Dronfield Clive Lawton Medicine or Magic? How do we Decide? Room: Lecture Theatre 2 In this session we will consider Jewish sources which Room: Lecture Theatre 3 have considered this question. The sources will span The true story of a father and son’s fight for survival Many people nowadays find that the seder needs jazzing Margaret Jacobi the period from Biblical times to the present. We will in the Holocaust. Gustav and Fritz Kleinmann were sent up. They amend it, seek to ‘make it relevant’, cut it short, Room: Seminar Room 12 “encounter ” some exceptional women from our history, to Buchenwald concentration camp in 1939. When change it for the children and so on. Clive will explore How do we know if a treatment is effective? How do we and will explore what is currently happening around the Gustav was transferred to Auschwitz, his son Fritz whether any of this is necessary or whether a deeper distinguish ‘snake oil’ from genuine medicine? At a time world concerning Orthodox women in Rabbinic positions volunteered to accompany him, knowing it was a virtually understanding of what is really going on will make the when ‘alternative medicine’ is flourishing, the randomised and consider the challenges they face. certain death sentence. Together they survived more bog-standard seder compelling enough. controlled trial still remains a measure of what therapies than 5 years in the camps, enduring starvation, disease, really work. But the problem was also addressed 1500 torture and injury. Throughout, Gustav kept a secret diary years ago in the Babylonian Talmud. We will look at their Session Three in which he recorded their experiences. This, together The Future of Jews in Europe discussion on ‘refuah’ and ‘the way of the Amorites’ 13:25 – 14:25 with extensive research, forms the basis of author Jeremy Phillip Carmel in tractate Shabbat (as well as discovering what this Dronfield’s recent book, The Boy Who Followed His Father Room: Lecture Theatre 2 has to do with Shabbat). Their way of approaching into Auschwitz. The session will examine the new challenges facing the problem can still guide us in our thinking today. Personal Experiences of Antisemitism Jewish communities in Europe. The concentration in the Labour Party on large community centres, antisemitism, an increase Litvak Fiction Is Israel “A Racist Endeavour”? Barry Henley, Ruth Smeeth, Ella Taylor in nationalism and populism and relations with Israel. noru Tsalic Stephan Collishaw Room: Lecture Theatre 3 Can Jews adapt to new models in 21st century Europe? Room: Seminar Room 1 Room: Seminar Room 13 An MP and a student activist describe their personal Antisemitism or freedom of speech? It is undeniable that Tomas Venclova called Grigory Kanovich, ‘the last link experiences of antisemitism in the Labour party. “the circumstances around Israel’s foundation” (ahem!) Do We Have a Right to Damage Ourselves? in the chain of Litvak fiction’. But what is Litvak fiction? included the displacement of a majority of the Arab Elazar Symon And who is Tomas Venclova? The session will be a brief population in Mandate Palestine . The session will discuss Despite Everything, Price Still Includes Room: Seminar Room 1 survey of the eclectic treasure chest that characterises those “circumstances” in context and will assess their Biscuits According to the Mishna, our oldest book of rabbinic Jewish fiction from Lithuania – from one of the first novels consequences for Israel’s legitimacy as a state. naomi Paul law, it is forbidden for a person to physically damage written in Hebrew, to the twentieth century classics Room: Seminar Room 1 themselves. But what is the Biblical source for this written in French, Yiddish, Russian and Lithuanian. prohibition? What aspect of this deed is so troubling? Has Litvak fiction really hung up its boots and gone Jewish volunteers in the Spanish Civil War Naomi Paul uses dry Jewish humour to comment into retirement? The session will briefly survey Grigory on contemporary political issues, share personal stories What deeds does this prohibition include? Ross Bradshaw Kanovich’s work and launch his novel ‘Devilspel’, and perform original songs. Set sail on a surreal journey Room: Seminar Room 10 In this session we will be reading a short section published in English in March 2019. – sometimes poignant, always funny and ultimately of Talmud dealing with these issues. We will dig under Jews joined the International Brigade to fight for the uplifting. With biscuits. Of course. the technical discussion and find fascinating approaches Republican cause in hugely disproportionate numbers to a person’s connection with his/her body. Hopefully in 1936, from Palestine, Poland, Britain, America and you can then judge for yourself if smoking should elsewhere, with many giving their lives in what many saw A Lifetime (Mis?)spent in Searching be forbidden according to Jewish law, and what Rabbi as being the first shots in what became the Second World for Ancestry Akiva would say about plastic surgery. War. The first and last international casualties in the Civil Anthony Joseph War were Jews. On the front line the Polish Botwin Brigade Room: Lecture Theatre 2 published a newspaper in Yiddish. Jews also formed a significant part of the medical teams, and outside Anthony’s genealogical interest started aged ten and still Spain raised money for the Republic. This is their story. persists. The “voyage” has paralleled the transformation of genealogy from a hobby of the elderly few to a universally popular leisure pursuit. Modern Jewish interest has lagged behind other societal/ethnic groups: a paradox considering the religious emphasis on patriarchal genealogy and the frequent Torah mention of lineage. We have caught up, and Anthony has had personal involvement with about four thousand genealogical “clients” from the serious to the ridiculous, worldwide. 10 Limmud Midlands 2019 Limmud Midlands 2019 11

Two Breslau Jews Face the nazis: The Almost Lost Tradition of Dazzling Amid Signs of Warming Ties, What An Imam, a Priest and a Rabbi Willy and Ernst Cohn Ashkenazi Chazanut with Specific Modes Prospects for Israeli-Gulf Relations? meet in Shul… Henry Cohn for Defined Seasonal Prayers Anna kinshuck Lior kaminetsky, nasir Akhtar, Alison Richards, Room: Seminar Room 10 David Prager Room: Seminar Room 13 Muhammad Amin Evans, Gerry Sykes A double biography of two German Jewish academics Room: Seminar Room 1 Israel and Gulf Cooperation Council countries have Room: Seminar Room 1 (not related), prolific authors in different fields, whose The session will present the main Ashkenazi musical inched closer in recent years, bringing long-rumoured No it's not a joke but a reality in Birmingham. Local faith responses to the challenges of the 1930s had prayer modes/scales with beautifully sung rare recorded behind-the-scenes cooperation into the open. The leaders joined Lior Kaminetsky's recent initiative to form contrasting outcomes. exemplars by the Cantorial Greats. These demonstrate thawing ties have emerged as Israel’s interests have a Madrasa / Beit Midrash Learning Programme the means by which these famous interpreters grown increasingly aligned with those of several Gulf for Abrahamic faith leaders from the West Midlands. states amid shared fears of Iranian regional The group gathered for four intense weekly sessions Jewish Architects After the Bauhaus disaggregated and elegantly re-aggregated the ancient prayer paragraphs into finely woven compositions expansionism. at Birmingham Central Synagogue to learn together about Stephen Games to communicate their substance and placement within the similarities and differences regarding some core While the solidifying ties have been touted by some Room: Seminar Room 10 the Jewish calendar. theological issues between the three Abrahamic faiths. as a prelude to more spectacular developments such The Modern Movement offered Jewish architects the A panel of participants in this initiative will discuss what as a full diplomatic normalisation, the Palestinian issue opportunity to construct a new world, free from the they learnt from the experience. continues to undermine the potential for a breakthrough. prejudices of the past. In Weimar Germany they Conversion to Judaism. Why Make After a recap of recent developments, we will analyse flourished but when the Nazis came to power, they were it so Difficult? the political, economic and security drivers behind the Our Unknown Brother: Roma/Gypsies no longer wanted. Many fled. Where did they go and what norman Solomon Gulf-Israel engagement and look at the outlook for did they do there? In this centenary year of the Bauhaus, We will read and reflect on the famous stories in the in Europe from 1400 Until Today bilateral relations. Dr Stephen Games looks at the efforts of Bauhaus Talmud (Shabbat 31a) about the three converts rejected Margaret Brearley migrants and others to rebuild Weimar in foreign lands. by Shammai but accepted by Hillel. Why is the conversion Room: Seminar Room 10 process nowadays so very different from the simple Inside the Ancient Hebrew kitchen. This sesison will aim to give a vivid outline of the and straightforward way it was handled by the “Fathers fascinating but often tragic history of Roma/Gypsies, Cardiac Jews Hints, Tips and Recipes of Judaism”? a persecuted people until today, and a glimpse Angela Donen Mendy Lent of Romany culture, language and beliefs, and some Room: Balcony Area Room: Seminar Room 13 Room: Seminar Room 10 of their non-Romany and Jewish champions. “Rabbi I’m a good Jew – I ‘m a mensch. I might not Angela is amazed by the inconsequential in the Bible. be observant but G-d knows what’s in my heart”. The Civil Rights Movement Through When taken together these details provide an insight into Do all the minutiae of religious observance really make the Lens of “Ordinary Heroes” the lives of our ancestors, what they ate and how they ate Shtetl to Ambridge – Haimishing the Archers it, what their homes looked like and the technology they a difference to being a good Jew? Doesn’t G-d see the Carrie Supple Annette Margolis had at their disposal. A meal will be served during the bigger picture? Text based with discussion. No prior Room: Seminar Room 12 Room: Seminar Room 12 Hebrew knowledge required. session which could have been eaten by our forebears. We will explore the work of “Journey to Justice” as an This session will ask the question how Jewish is the Archers? example of human rights education. We believe that to what extent can the trope of the shtetl be intertwined learning about the role of 'ordinary' people in human Session Five with Radio 4's long-running agricultural soap-opera. Session Four It will involve us developing realistic Jewish members rights movements and the arts of social protest can 16:05 -17:05 14:35 – 15:35 galvanise us to take action for social justice. of the Ambridge village scene, and considering their impact on the rest of the community and the area as a whole. Using stories from the US civil rights movement and UK How Rich They Are: The Life Story struggles for freedom, we created a multi-media travelling Can You Beat Judaism Into Your Child? The Attack on Free Speech in Israel of Yehuda Amichai exhibition which has visited 11 communities. We tell Alan Stanton Room: Lecture Theatre 2 Anna Roiser & Maya Ilany David Finlay stories of less well-known men, women and children Room: Seminar Room 13 Room: Lecture Theatre 3 who were involved and we explore factors essential What do Jewish sources, from Proverbs through for a human rights movement to succeed in the hard to contemporary Chasidic writings, have to say about All democracies have some limits on freedom of speech A performance which explores how the poetry of Yehuda fight for freedom. corporal punishment of children? What does modern – but where should the line be drawn? How should Amichai tells the story of both the hopes and wars that psychology teach us on the subject, and how have these democracies deal with dissenting political voices? After were the landscape of the birth of the State of Israel. two approaches interacted over time? Have Jews been exploring Israel’s historical approach to this question positive role models in shaping attitudes to children? from 1948 onwards, we will look at recent events including Mental Health and the Jewish Community Come and find out; as always the truth is surprising, legislation, court decisions, border detentions and political rhetoric, and argue that Israel is on a dangerous Barry Henley, Alfred White, Estelle Rowe and nuanced. trajectory in its approach to political dissent. Room: Lecture Theatre 2 What are the mental health issues in the Jewish Community? How do they differ from those experienced Community Concert by the wider community? Consultant Psychiatrist 17:15- 18:15 Dr Alfred White will explain in non-technical terms and will also provide a guide to communication with Jewish patients. Estelle Rowe, Director of Andrew Cohen House, Community Concert will describe the treatment of dementia. Dr Barry Henley, a non-executive director of Birmingham and Solihull kol kinor, naomi Rowe, Michael Rowe Mental Health Trust will outline research results which Room: Lecture Theatre 3 show that spiritually integrated treatment is culturally A concert to send you on your way with musical appropriate for Jewish service users. memories of a great day out in Birmingham. 12 Limmud Midlands 2019 Limmud Midlands 2019 13

Angela Donen

PRESENTER INFORMATION Angela is a lawyer and mediator who is intrigued by the Bible as a recipe book. Using it as a starting point she has developed a menu which might have sustained our ancestors. Nasir Akhtar

Nasir is a British born and trained Imam. He has served in Birmingham and Sandwell since 2005. Nasir’s passion, however, Jeremy Dronfield is in community activism. In 2009, he helped co-found The Abrahamic Foundation which was set up to be a beacon of 100% Jeremy is a biographer, historian and novelist. His previous books include Dr James Barry: A Woman Ahead of Her Time. His latest, Muslim yet 100% British Islam. the Sunday Times bestseller The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz, was published in 2019 by Michael Joseph.

Muhammad Amin Evans David Finlay

Muhammad has been a Muslim for nearly thirty years and is a graduate of the Al-Mahdi Institute. As Director of Theology to the David is a writer of songs and performance pieces which bring to life aspects of modern Jewish history. Association of British Muslims, a member of the Centre for Intra-Muslim Studies, Imam, and teacher he promotes the deeper reading of all textual sources and accepting differences as blessings for humanity that should cause honest conversation. Stephen Games

Ian Austin Stephen Games is editor and publisher of Booklaunch, the UK’s second biggest literary magazine. A graduate of Central St Martins and Cambridge University, he won a British Press Award for his writings on architecture for the Guardian and made radio Ian Austin has been the Member of Parliament for Dudley North since 2005. He served as a minister in Gordon Brown’s government programmes about architecture for Radio 3. In his architectural career he worked on the expansion of Southern Tripoli and the from 2008-2010. He is a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee and a supporter of Labour Friends of Israel. Ian left the maintenance of Blenheim Palace. He has taught at British and American universities, and published extensively. In his spare time Labour Party in February 2019 because of antisemitism. he works. He has a daughter who plays ice hockey and a wife who edits for BBC News.

Nechama Atlas Barry Henley

Nechama Atlas, of the Yeshurun Hebrew Congregation, is a trained Child Counsellor and has an M.Ed in Tanach. She is Yahel Center Barry is a lifelong member of the Labour Party. He has been a Birmingham City Councillor for Brandwood Ward and held various trained counsellor, addressing intimacy issues with Orthodox couples. She worked as an Educational Counsellor in Israeli schools Party offices including Secretary of a Constituency Labour Party (Selly Oak) and of a Branch Labour Party in Moseley and Kings Heath. and was Rebbetzen at the Port Elizabeth Hebrew Congregation in South Africa and at the Birmingham Central Synagogue. She is He has worked in industry in the UK, Asia and Australia; headed up a University faculty of engineering and computing; and worked a graduate of the Chief Rabbi's Ma'ayan Programme. Nechama particularly enjoyed the Ma'ayan training which encourages women in the NHS for 10 years as a non-executive director. Barry is Chair of the Trustees of Birmingham Jewish Community Care and to take part in the Halachic and learning development within the Orthodox community. Nechama, loves hiking and Torah study, a former Chair of Governors of King David School. was born and raised in Israel, is married to Chanan and is a mother of five. Maya Ilany Ross Bradshaw Maya is the Deputy Director of Yachad. She has previously worked in Parliament for MP Ian Austin. Growing up in Israel, Maya served Ross Bradshaw has been the publisher at Five Leaves since 1995. Their list includes a number of titles related to secular Jewish in the IDF for three years as a journalist and presenter in the official forces radio station, broadcast across the country. culture and history, and the only book published in the UK on Yiddish film and in Ladino! He opened Five Leaves Bookshop in Nottingham in 2013 and last year Five Leaves won the Independent Bookshop of the Year accolade at the British Book Awards. Margaret Jacobi He has written for Jewish Socialist, Jewish Renaissance and European Judaism, and has presented at Glasgow and Leeds Limmud. Margaret Jacobi is the Rabbi of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue. She studied medicine at the University of Birmingham and was Margaret Brearley a medical researcher before becoming a Rabbi. She bridges the arts and sciences with PhDs in Physiology and Talmud. She has published articles on Jewish medical ethics and has a fascination with Talmudic logic. Dr. Margaret Brearley studied at Oxford, Cambridge, and Münster, Germany. She has held academic posts at Birmingham University (as Lecturer in German Medieval and Renaissance Literature), Selly Oak Centre for Judaism and Jewish-Christian Relations and the Anthony Joseph Institute of Jewish Affairs. She founded and ran the Kinmos Day Centre for mentally ill people in Birmingham and the West Midlands Israel Information Centre. She has lectured and published widely in Britain, Israel, the USA and Europe, and has been consultant Born in Birmingham and educated at Abbotsholme School, Cambridge University and St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, Anthony qualified to films and TV documentaries, judge of the Times Preacher of the Year Award, a member of WIZO’s National Executive, and full-time as a medical practitioner in 1961.He has been a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists since 1970 and is the author of “My Ancestors Chair of The Compassionate Friends, the national charity supporting bereaved parents. were Jewish ”. Anthony is a member of the executive of the Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy & Heraldry, a founder member and Emeritus President of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain and a past president of the Jewish Historical Phillip Carmel Society of England. He has been corresponding member for the UK of the Australian Jewish Historical Society and was member at large of the Council of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies from 2000 to 2004. Philip Carmel has held senior positions in major European Jewish organisations for almost 20 years. Born in Manchester, he made Aliyah in 1987. In 2004, he was appointed International Relations Director for the Conference of European Rabbis, based in Brussels, Lior Kaminetsky and subsequently worked as Special Advisor on European Affairs for the European Jewish Congress. He is a former co-chair of the Israel Foreign Ministry’s Global Forum on Antisemitism. Philip set up the ESJF European Jewish Cemeteries Initiative in 2015 and has Lior Kaminetsky is the Rabbi of Birmingham Central Synagogue. He has established a Madrasa / Beit Midrash Learning Programme been its Chief Executive Officer since its foundation. He currently lives in Birmingham. for Abrahamic faith leaders from the West Midlands. The group recently gathered for four intense weekly sessions to learn together as chavruta about the similarities and differences regarding some core theological issues between the three Abrahamic Faiths. Henry Cohn Anna Kinshuck Henry taught European history at the universities of Glasgow, Leicester and, latterly Warwick, and researches in German history. He is Vice-President of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue, but now lives with family as a member of Alyth Reform in the North Anna is a political risk analyst for a London-based boutique consultancy and specialises in the Middle East North Africa region, London ghetto. with a particular focus on Iran. She previously worked as a journalist for a global media organisation, covering political developments in the Middle East. Stephan Collishaw Kol Kinor In 2004 Stephan Collishaw was selected as one of the British Council's 20 best young British novelists. The Guardian wrote that his first novel was ‘Immediately impressive’, while Newsweek called it ‘spectacular’. He has written four novels. Alongside writing Kol Kinor or Voice of the Lyre took this title on its formation in 1993. A mixed voice, cross community group, they aim to perform and teaching he runs Noir Press, a boutique publishing house dedicated to showcasing fiction in translation from Central and Jewish music at the highest standard to a wide range of Jewish and non-Jewish audiences. The choir sings a wide range of Jewish Eastern Europe. music from synagogue, secular and folk music traditions and always aim to sing in the original language of the song, usually in Hebrew, Yiddish or Ladino. Over the years they have performed in many venues around the country and the USA. Ann Conway-Jones

Dr Ann Conway-Jones is an honorary research fellow at the University of Birmingham, specialising in early Jewish-Christian relations and biblical interpretation. She has been involved in interfaith dialogue for over thirty years, and is Chair of Birmingham Council of Christians and Jews. 14 Limmud Midlands 2019 Limmud Midlands 2019 15

Clive Lawton Naomi Rowe

One of the founders of Limmud, Clive has just stood down after more than ten years as its Senior Consultant. He is currently CEO Naomi is a HCPC registered music therapist who moved back to Birmingham over 3 years ago to pursue her career. She specialises of the Commonwealth Jewish Council, scholar-in-residence at JW3, London’s flagship Community Centre, of which he was a founding in working with children and young people, those with learning difficulties and the neurodiverse as well as the LGBT+ community, trustee, and is a Magistrate on the Bristol Bench. He has published over a dozen books, broadcast widely on BBC radio, founded the but is open to working with clients of any age and background. Her website is https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-rowe-mt. Naomi field of school-aged Holocaust education in the UK in the 80s, is currently President of Shap, the premier Religious Education lobby is the concert organiser for Limmud Midlands 2019 and will be performing as part of the Kol Kinor choir and as a solo vocalist. group, and has Masters’ degrees in Theatre and Film Studies, Management Science and Hinduism and Islam. His first degree was in Literature and Education. Ruth Smeeth

Mendy Lent Ruth was elected as the Labour Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent North and Kidsgrove in 2015. Ruth was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, but was educated in London and Bristol. She graduated with a degree in Politics and International Relations from the Together with his wife Brocha, Mendy Lent has co-directed the popular Nottingham Chabad house since 2008. Hundreds of people University of Birmingham in 2000. Ruth is a former trade union officer, who has also worked in the private and not for profit sectors. each year enjoy the warm hospitality and engaging programming and inspiring classes. Mendy previously worked as a researcher Immediately prior to her election she ran HOPE not hate, the anti-extremism campaign. Since being elected to Parliament Ruth has and editor at Kol Menachem Publishing House, and as a Jewish educator in Connecticut. Originally from Manchester, he studied run campaigns to tackle child poverty and to protect local ceramics jobs in Stoke-on-Trent. She is a member of the Defence Select at various Yeshivot worldwide and studied for his Semicha in Melbourne. He was also part of a team running Jewish educational Committee and a strong advocate of Armed Forces and veteran’s issues. and social activities for teenagers in Leeds. His current hobbies include graphic design and looking after his vegetable plot with the help of his children. Norman Solomon

Annette Margolis Norman Solomon was born in Cardiff, and educated there and at St. John’s College, Cambridge. He served as Rabbi to Congregations in Manchester, Liverpool and London and in 1983 founded an Interfaith Institute in Birmingham. Since 1995 he has lived in Oxford, Annette came back to the UK after living in Latina near Rome for 23 years, and discovered that life in Ambridge, Borsetshire, where in addition to teaching at the University he has published many books and articles, including A Very Short Introduction hadn't changed very much. She is a member of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue where she teaches basic Hebrew. to Judaism, Historical Dictionary of Judaism, The Talmud: A Selection (Penguin Classics), and Torah from Heaven.

Naomi Paul Len Smith

Naomi Paul writes and performs her own work UK-wide. She premiered her debut solo show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Dr Len Smith was born and educated in London. He attended the London School of Economics, gaining an MSc degree in Economic the Tristan Bates Theatre, London. She also headlined a new writing festival for Pulse Ensemble Theatre in New York. She comperes History. He subsequently qualified as a psychiatric social worker, and has worked in mental health services throughout his events, performs at spoken word nights, and runs writing workshops. She has recently toured a double bill story-cabaret show Truth professional career. He gained his PhD in social history at the University of Birmingham in 1982. He has published several historical and Truffles to rural venues. Her song The Librarian’s Lament was runner-up in the Best Original Song category at the Stratford- books and numerous articles in academic journals. He is currently an Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the Institute for Applied upon-Avon Fringe. Naomi has an MA in Creative Writing and is a member of Birmingham-based Big Script. Health Research at the University of Birmingham.

David Prager Alan Stanton

David Prager was born in Manchester. A chemist by profession, he retired following a prestigious career in BP Chemicals and Dr Alan Stanton is a Consultant Community Paediatrician working for UHB NHS Trust. He is a Designated Doctor for BSOL CCG its successor companies. He has studied the recordings, films, music and biographies of the leading cantors of the world. He has Safeguarding Children, and has held senior honorary academic posts at Warwick, Birmingham and UCL. At the other end of the analysed the integration of beautiful, emotionally-intense singing with traditional Ashkenazi prayer modes. David is married to Jill age range, he is Gabbai at the Andrew Cohen House synagogue. and lives in Surbiton. Carrie Supple Alison Richards Carrie Supple, Director of Journey to Justice. Carrie has 40 years’ experience of working in education and human rights as a teacher Alison is Co-Superintendent of Birmingham Methodist Circuit and Minister of Lozells Methodist Church and Community Centre and project manager. She set up Youth Act at the Citizenship Foundation which trained intergenerational groups how to campaign and Villa Road Methodist Church, Handsworth. Before studying at Queens Ecumenical Foundation College, she worked as a nurse and in 2013, working with scores of volunteers, created Journey to Justice. Her website is www.teachingforsolidarity.com. for 30 years. Alison was ordained in 2010 and served in Malvern for 7 years before moving to Handsworth. Her interests include Social Justice issues and community engagement. Gerry Sykes

Anna Roiser Gerry is currently Vicar of St Alban's Church, Chaplain to Ark St Alban's Academy, and is a member of Highgate Interfaith Forum. Gerry’s first career was in science: using biochemistry to study fossil shells. It was only after 10 years that Gerry felt called to the Anna Roiser is the Engagement & Outreach Coordinator at the New Israel Fund (“NIF”). NIF is a partnership of Israelis and supporters ministry and started training in a seminary. A scientific, analytical outlook and a passion for human rights has always informed of Israel worldwide who are dedicated to a vision of Israel as the Jewish homeland, a thriving democracy, and a shared society his theological thinking. A desire to learn from other faiths has led Gerry to be involved in interfaith work throughout his ministry. at peace with itself and its neighbours, as enshrined in Israel’s Declaration of Independence. We support Israeli organisations promoting democracy, equality and justice for all. Previously a family lawyer, Anna spent seven months in 2017 living in Jerusalem Elazar Symon where she discovered her passion for progressive Israeli causes. Elazar Symon was born and raised in Jerusalem. After graduating from high-school, Elazar studied for two years at the Otniel Yeshiva. Estlle Rowe In 2012 he joined the IDF where he served as a commander. After his army service he completed his rabbinical studies and served as an assistant Rabbi in Otniel. Elazar has been immersed in the pedagogy of Talmud, participating in and establishing diverse Estelle Rowe studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University and came to the West Midlands to work in engineering. After her learning groups in Jerusalem. At the same time, he was studying for a BA in Philosophy. Elazar currently works as the Jewish Chaplain career break she moved to the charity sector to encourage young people to make well informed decisions about their futures. She in Nottingham, and is married to Alissa. ran Young Enterprise in Birmingham and then the Engineering Development Trust. She was appointed MBE for services to education and engineering. Estelle wanted to make a contribution to the local Jewish community so became a Trustee of Birmingham Jewish Ella Taylor-Fagan Community Care and then its Director. Her husband’s family connections to Singers Hill Shul go back 5 generations. Ella Taylor-Fagan is a recent graduate of the University of Oxford. She was involved in Oxford’s Labour Club in 2016 when issues Michael Rowe of antisemitism were brought to the fore. She has written and campaigned for a more transparent system within the party for tackling antisemitism after she felt betrayed by the party’s poor dealings with her complaints. Ella is currently undertaking a law conversion Michael Rowe is well known in the Birmingham Jewish community for his musical performances. He studied chazanut under Cantor course in London. She remains passionate about activism and edits the journal Zionish and is a member of Yachad Youth. Steve Robins and singing under David Wynne of the Birmingham Conservatoire. He regularly performs at events across the city and sings with the Singers Hill Synagogue Choir, regularly performing solos. He is also the first recipient of the Kol Kinor music Noru Tsalic scholarship. He is a keen piano player and very much enjoys sharing his music with others. Michael is currently studying Political Science at the University of Birmingham where he has also been awarded a music scholarship. Aside from this, Michael Chairs the Noru is Jewish by identity, Romanian by birth, Israeli by citizenship and British by current residence. He is a management consultant Birmingham Young Conservatives and is always willing to share his views with others! by occupation and a political commentator by passion. Noru writes for Politically-incorrect Politics, the Times of Israel and Israel National News. He also delivers presentations and participates in debates in front of Jewish and non-Jewish audiences. A former IDF soldier, Noru serves as the UK envoy for the Israeli NGO Reservists On Duty. 16 Limmud Midlands 2019

NOTES