Leeds learns to love Limmud
PARTICIPANTS IN Sunday’s Leeds Limmud enjoyed lectures on subjects as diverse as Jewish humour, superstitions, the history of the bagel, the future for the Jewish community of South Africa, and the story of the 300 child Shoah survivors who came to the Lake District in 1945.
A footfall of 300 attended the Weetwood Hall event in Headingley. Visitors to the 14th Leeds Day Limmud could choose from 60 presenters including Eldan Kaye who spoke about Israel and Loiner Laurence Saffer discussing the way ahead for the Leeds community while David Fligg explored music and Jewish spiritual resistance during the Shoah.
Phil Tomlinson discussed the songs of Yiddish poet and songwriter Mordechai Gebirtig, while Phil Rosenberg reflected on the Balfour centenary.
New Yorker Wayne Robins, rock music critic, shared his spiritual story of “booze, rock and roll and Hashem”. Although Mr Robins, a former journalist turned teacher, joked that one of the reasons he was in Leeds was to replace a lost Leeds United FC scarf.
Organisers Roma Cohen and Elana Fligg said there was “something for everyone” and were delighted with the turnout.
“The crowd embraced our jampacked programme of top- notch presenters and debates with enthusiasm,” said Mrs Cohen.
The team of organisers included Robert Bartfield, Leon Collins, Anthony Conway, Judith Conway, Tony Felston, Jenny and Mike Green, Faye Pliener, Linda Rosen, Ralph Ross, Suzy Rudette, Cynthia Sutcliffe and Ian Vellins.
Other speakers included Nir Ariella, Jon Silverman, Vivi Lachs and Max Dunbar.
The crowd embraced a programme of top-notch presenters