LGBT+ sessions at Limmud Festival 2017

Just a few days to wait until Limmud Festival 2017, which starts on Friday! We are delighted to announce that as in previous years, there is a strong representation of LGBT+ themed panels and workshops - and we hope you will come to some!

If you're at Limmud Festival - we look forward to meeting you! Dalia and Neil (our Executive Director and Director of Programmes), many of our Trustees and volunteers will be there and are excited to say hi!

​This list includes all LGBT+ themed sessions that appear on the programme - that we could see - sorry if we missed any off! 

Those run by KeshetUK appear in bold type.

Please note: We do not endorse any non-KeshetUK sessions. 

Friday 22/12/17
  • Circumcision, genital mutilation and human rights, Melinda Jones, Orange 12, 21.15
If female circumcision is considered unacceptable in all forms, can we in good conscience continue the practice of the Bris? Does male circumcision offend human rights and constitute an abuse of the rights of the child? Does the recent uncovering of the medical abuse of intersex children affect the position we take on this?

Saturday 23/12/17
  • Israel is a Jewish democratic state?, Zehorit Sorek, Yellow 21, 11.30am
Can Israeli laws pass in favour of the LGBT community? Come and discuss whether a democratic state can continue preventing pro-LGBT legislation, and what the legal standing of LGBT Israelis is. What has been achieved and how much more must be changed?

Sunday 24/12/17
  • How to make change happen for LGBT Israel, Zehorit Sorek, Purple 31, 10.30-11.50
Find out how societal awareness of LGBT issues has developed in Israel and the Orthodox community thanks to key projects and campaigns. What were the trigger points that made action necessary, the challenges and complexities of campaigning, and the solutions to there being no budget?
  • “You can’t wear that to shul!” :Tzni’ut, bat mitzvah dress codes and gender policing, Andrea Jacobs, Blue 33, 12.10-13.00
What do debates around appropriate attire for b’nei mitzvah and slut shaming have in common? The policing of teen girls’ bodies and sexuality. This interactive workshop digs into the systemic issues at play in the “b’nei mitzvah dress code dilemma” and offers participants the opportunity to explore a 21st century gender neutral approach to tzni’ut. Reparative or conversion therapy has been rejected by major psychiatric bodies as ‘un-scientific’ and ‘deeply damaging’. However the practice is still widespread, especially in religious communities. Come hear first-hand experiences of people that have survived such ‘therapies’. It is a wedding without a wedding. The partnership ceremony (shutfut), mainly designed for gay couples, has the potential to serve much larger groups as it doesn't require the couple to define their gender and avoids some of the problems of traditional Jewish marriage. Can it replace the traditional wedding?
  • To be an Israeli orthodox lesbian, Zehorit Sorek, Orange 10, 18.50,
Zehorit’s personal story is intertwined with the social and judicial status of the LGBT community in Israel. As an orthodox lesbian, Sorek, fights for equality, awareness, and acceptance of the LGBT community in Israeli society as a whole and specifically within the religious community. Following the story the floor will open for questions. Chanukah recalls how Jewish zealots fought and won the battle to drive out Greek culture from Jewish life. Given that Greek culture celebrated some types of homosexuality, was this a backward step for Jewish civilisation? Come and explore how to celebrate LGBT+ inclusion in the festival of Chanukah. Come hear the riveting story of how a frum yeshiva boy named Moshe becomes Drag's Jewish American Princess Lady SinAGaga. A lecture about metamorphosis, perseverance, and always knowing when to pull out the stilettos. Moshiel recounts his unique life story, and will make you smile, laugh, cry, but most importantly think. Be ready to be entertained!
  • Why do we love a TV show that is sexist, homophobic and lacking in diversity?, Lucy Prevezer, Green 26, 23.10
Everyone loves Friends (the TV show), including myself. However, if we look back at those 90's episodes they can now been seen as incredibly offensive to many groups in society. Come and discuss how times have changed for Sitcom TV and why we still love and feel nostalgic when watching this programme?


Monday 25/12/17
  • KeshetUK diversity and LGBT inclusion training, Dalia Fleming  Alma Reisel, Purple 31, 10.40 -12.40 (Please note: This session is extended and lasts for two hours)
KeshetUK runs training seminars offering theory and tools to make Jewish spaces more welcoming and inclusive for LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) members. This is a taster session from these seminars. This session covers: language and terminology for discussing gender and sexuality and exploring power and privilege. A panel discussion with gender nonconforming, nonbinary and genderqueer Jews followed by a Q&A. Identity is something that we as Jewish People take very seriously, and hold dear to our hearts. The same can be said about the people of the LGBT community. In this open discussion lecture forum we will learn and discover what drag is, go through the transformation process, and get an inside peak into the wild world of life as a Jewish Drag Queen!
  • Love and acceptance through conversion therapy, Mathew Shurka, Orange 11, 21.50-22.50
Survivor and leading global advocate to end conversion therapy, Mathew is driven to prevent others from being subjected to this therapeutic abuse. In this discussion, hear Mathew's story of estrangement and reconciliation with his family, and how he became a leading voice in his community and around the world to create love and acceptance.
​
Tuesday 26/12/17
  • Smashing borders and binaries, or Tikkun Olam, Dex Grodner, Red 4, 12.10pm
State-imposed barriers mediate most aspects of our life. They affect how we experience the world as gendered, racialised and classed beings. They are both physical and cultural. This discussion aims to assess the Jewish motivation for activism and liberatory political action, and why the personal is always political. To inform our work, KeshetUK invite all educators and school students to a workshop on inclusion in Jewish schools. How can Jewish schools be more inclusive of LGBT+ people and their families? What needs to change and how can we support? What are the barriers? Opportunities? Come along with your ideas and ready to challenge. Judaism can come across as straight-laced, but on Purim we drink, party and dress to impress and embrace our gender fluidity! How did this come to be? Come along with your pink-tinted spectacles to read this story of gender politics, oppression, coming out, role reversal and celebration! LGBT Jews are calling out to their communities but are often not heard. The panelists will explore how communities can create space for inclusion. They will draw from their experiences to move the issue from words to action and push for the greater acceptance of observant LGBT Jews within religious settings. The vocabulary of gender and sexuality is ever evolving. This workshop offers an accessible and judgement free space to learn about the beautiful diversity of gender and sexuality and how families contribute to creating a world where no Jewish LGBT+ person should have to choose between their Jewish and LGBT+ identities. All are welcome.
  • Asexuality, from the Talmud to the present day, Isabel Bard Orange 15, 20.10-21.10
Asexual identity is a relatively modern word describing someone who does not experience sexual attraction, which has existed throughout history. This session will trace understandings of asexuality from ancient Jewish texts to modern identity politics.
  • Being LGBT in Trump’s America, Mathew Shurka, Orange 12, 20.10-21.10
During his campaign, Donald Trump made overtures to the LGBT community. However since he has taken office, he has rescinded guidance to schools on transgender pupils, and did not commemorate LGBT Pride. Come and hear Mathew’s experience of being gay in America today
  • Zakhar U'Nekevah Barah Otam: Towards a definition of gender in Jewish Law,Michael Even David, Red 5, 20.10-21.10
From the six genders in the Talmud to modern Transgender and Queer people, How does Judaism define gender? What are the halachic implications of not-binary gender definitions? How can modern Judaism cope with gender identities besides male and female? If you self define as trans, nonbinary, genderqueer or gender nonconforming, please come along to this space for us all to discuss what change we would like to effect in our Jewish and LGBT communities, what matters to us and also to hang out!

Wednesday 27/12/17
  • Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh? How do we co-produce LGBT+ inclusive Jewish communities and organisations? Neil Levitan, Blue 33, 9.20-10.20
The last 10 years has seen major socio-political progress for the rights of LGBT+ people. However, work still needs to be done at the grassroots level to improve the inclusion of Jewish LGBT+ people and their families. This interactive workshop will explore case studies from Jewish communal organisations using KeshetUK’s spectrum of inclusion tool.
  • The campaign to outlaw conversion therapy in the USA, Mathew Shurka, Green 26, 10.40-11.50
Reparative/conversion therapy has been rejected by major psychiatric bodies as ‘unscientific’ & ‘deeply damaging’. Mathew is a leading campaigner fighting to ban the practice for minors in the USA. Come and learn how they are mounting this campaign, and what we can do in the UK to ban the practice. According to Hollywood, every gal needs a gay best friend to shop and support them, and every fag needs a hag to love and hate. This MFC puts a feminist perspective on how cinema portrays, and betrays, the lives of LGBTQ people, and those who love them.
  • "Transparent" goes to Israel, Julia Wagner, Orange 14, 13.20-14.20
Just when you thought "Transparent"’s identity politics couldn’t get any more complex, the latest season takes the Pfeffermans - TV’s number one Jewish family – to Israel and Palestine. This session will feature clips, analysis and thought-provoking discussion of sexuality, Jewish history and identity. There will be spoilers but all are welcome!
  • Queer, brown and Jewish: Mizrahi gays in Israel, Roi Grufi, Blue 34, 16.00-17.10
This session will focus on what it means to be a gay Mizrahi in Israel and how for the past 7 years "Arisa" - a Mizrahi gay party, has ruled the gay party scene in Tel-Aviv.
  • Virginity is f****d: deconstructing cultural views on sex and purity, Emily Hilton, Green 25, 21.50-22.50
Using different Jewish and secular texts, this session will explore the ways in which heteronormative and restrictive ideas about virginity and sex are passed down through generations. Can we still relate to these ideas, knowing that they may not sit well with us? "Wilkommen, bienvenue..." Join poets, drag queens, storytellers, and performance artists for Limmud's first ever late night cabaret. In line with Limmud's anti-slavery track, the session will be themed around freedom, and what it means to these particular artists.

Thursday 28/12/17

There are no LGBT+ specific sessions running on Thursday 28/12/17


Archive of historic LGBT interest activities at Limmud Conference (UK)

2015 Session

2014 Schedule
keshetukatlimmud2015.pdf
File Size: 187 kb
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limmud_schedule_2014.pdf
File Size: 150 kb
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keshetukatlimmud2015.docx
File Size: 16 kb
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limmud_schedule_2014.docx
File Size: 41 kb
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2013 Schedule

limmud_schedule_2013.pdf
File Size: 244 kb
File Type: pdf
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limmud_schedule_2013.docx
File Size: 43 kb
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2012 Schedule

limmud_schedule_2012.pdf
File Size: 256 kb
File Type: pdf
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limmud_schedule_2012.docx
File Size: 43 kb
File Type: docx
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