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Limmud South Africa is the South African chapter of Limmud UK. It's mission is "to allow each Jew to take one step further on their Jewish journey" and holds annual conferences in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. It aims to be a diverse and inclusive forum where delegates can experience the full gamut of Jewish opinion and belief and often includes sessions on philosophy, religion, history, culture, politics, dance, music, and literature.

Origins

Limmud South Africa was the brainchild of Vivienne Anstey and David Bilchitz.

The Orthodox Rabbinate's response to Limmud SA

The Orthodox rabbis in South Africa do not participate in Limmud's conferences^[1], taking their lead from the UK Orthodox Rabbinate. No official statement has been issued.

Conferences

The annual Limmud SA conferences are held in August/September each year. International guests are invited, and many local academics and lay community members participate.

2009 Conference

International guests included biblical scholar Avivah Zornberg, Lieutenant Colonel David Benjamin, Anat Hoffman, Nobel prize winner Professor Yisrael Aumann, Shlomy Zachary, Mark Weitzman, Joel Stern and others^[2]. 450 delegates attended the Cape Town conference (at Gudini Spa), over 800 in Johannesburg (Wits Medical School) and 200 in Durban (Durban Jewish Centre)^[3]

Just before the Cape Town conference, respected human rights activist Zackie Achmat called for Limmud to withdraw their invitation to Lt Cnl David Benjamin, accusing him of orchestrating war crimes in Isreal's war on Gaza in early 2009 during Operation Cast Lead^[4]. Limmud rejected the calls, and David Benjamin did participate in all three of Limmud's conferences.

Protests by the Palestinian Solidarity Committee (PSC) and one organised by COSATU and the Palestinian Solidarity Alliance (PSA), against Lt Cnl David Benjamin's participation were held at the Johannesburg conference. During the protests, Limmud's security (with the Community Security Organisation) was accused of 'racial profiling'^[5], and barring black people from access to the WITS Medical Campus, where the conference was being held. Renowned human rights lawyer, Geoff Budlender, has been asked by the Wits vice-chancellor, Loyisa Nongxato, investigate and report back by end October 2009.

2008 Conference

International guests included Devorah Baum, Rabbi Yehoshua Engelman, Gershom Gorenberg, Simon Gurevichius, Avraham Infeld, Bente Kahan, Maureen Kendler, Taylor Krauss, Karyn Moshal, Amir Tausinger, and Limor Yehuda^[6].

1200 delegates attended conferences in Cape Town (over 300), Johannesburg (700) and Durban^[7].

2007 Conference

International guests included Nathan Aviezer, Mikhael Manekin, Benjamin Pogrund, Bassem Eid and Gila Sacks^[8].

External links

www.limmud.org.za
www.limmud.org.uk - Parent body

References

^ SA Jewish Report, 5-12 September 2008, pg 9
^ 2009 Program
^ SA Jewish Report, 14-21 August 2009, Take a breather and reflect on Limmud's way forward, pg. 8
^ Achmat weighs in on Israeli 'war architect', Sunday Times July 26, 2009
^ Wits protest over soldier's visit www.news24.com, 12 August 2009
^ 2008 Program
^ SA Jewish Report, 5-12 September 2008, pgs 4,5
^ 2007 Program

[1] SA Jewish Report, 5-12 September 2008, pg 9

[2] 2009 Program

[3] SA Jewish Report, 14-21 August 2009, Take a breather and reflect on Limmud's way forward, pg. 8

[4] Achmat weighs in on Israeli 'war architect', Sunday Times July 26, 2009

[5] Wits protest over soldier's visit www.news24.com, 12 August 2009

[6] 2008 Program

[7] SA Jewish Report, 5-12 September 2008, pgs 4,5

[8] 2007 Program

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