Sunday 7:40 PM–8:55 PM
Dinner
Sunday 6:05 PM–8:05 PM
Dining Room
Dinner is served! It's the last night of Limmud NY 2008 so sit down and enjoy dinner with your new Limmud NY friends.
“Operation Solomon”- The Saving of the Lost Tribe
The rescue and redemption of Ethiopian Jews
Asher Naim
Sunday 7:40 PM–8:55 PM
Festival Room
Global History and Culture,
Israel
View a short documentary depicting the amazing rescue of 14,200 Ethiopian Jews in 25 hours that were being trapped in the city of Addis Ababa. Then, listen as Asher Naim, ambassador, tells this compelling tale from first-hand experience from his own perspective. Hear about their rescue, absorption into Israel, and an update on the Ethiopian Israeli population today.
Convert or Jew by Choice?
Sarah Zarrow
Sunday 7:40 PM–8:55 PM
Embassy Room 1
Identity and Responsibility,
Text and Thought
In this session, we will look at the various terms used to describe people who convert to Judaism. What do these terms imply, and are they useful to us today? Why are certain terms used, and why have new terms (like “Jew by choice”) gained currency in recent years? Are there other terms that we could use? Jews of all backgrounds, whether with personal experiences in the area or not, are encouraged to attend. All texts will be available in English translation.
Discovering Your Spiritual Curriculum
Alan Morinis
Sunday 7:40 PM–8:55 PM
Empire Room 3
Text and Thought
Through centuries of observation, the Mussar teachers mapped the inner life and concluded that each of us has a spiritual curriculum. Yours shows up in the tests that life sets before you. Ordinary experiences are turned into tests only when the traits of your inner life [middot] are out of balance. You are here on earth to master your spiritual curriculum. Find out how.
Film: “Adjusting Sights”
Faith and Crisis
Eyal Halfon
Sunday 7:40 PM–10:10 PM
Tower Board Room
Arts and Performance,
Text and Thought
From Jonah to Rabbi Akiva, from the Psalmist to the Israeli soldier in battle, an individual's faith is constantly tested in times of war and crisis. We will study a number of texts related to this theme, including the acclaimed Israeli novel, “Tiyum Kavanot” (Adjusting Sights) by Rabbi Haim Sabato, and watch excerpts from Eyal Halfon’s film adaption, “InSight” .
**Please note, the film is 77 minutes, and will be followed by a text study and discussion with the director, Eyal Halfon. This session will run for two session slots.
Film: “Being Jewish”
A documentary from the Jerusalem Project
Todd Schechter
Sunday 7:40 PM–8:55 PM
Congressional Room 2
Arts and Performance,
Identity and Responsibility
Come see a Limmud NY exclusive preview screening! This half-hour documentary pilot features young Jews, ages 18-25, in New York and Jerusalem talking about the issues that face Jews today and what being Jewish means to them. The Jerusalem Project is a world-wide, dialogue-based, learning initiative that helps geographically, culturally, and religiously disparate members of the Jewish community better understand each other, themselves, and their shared history.
Flags - An Ongoing Global Silk Painting Exhibit
Elizabeth Yaari
Sunday 7:40 PM–8:55 PM
Coffee Shop
Arts and Performance,
Ritual and Prayer
All participants in this silk painting project are asked to answer this question: What is your prayer, dream or aspiration for yourself, your community or the world? Participants are then guided in groups to paint their answers on white silk flags. When hung, these paintings are free flowing and translucent and serve as mediators between the heart and the heavens. They share their messages with the wind, which then carry their intent across the world, spreading a message of well being amongst all humans.
If Not Now, WHAT Am I? A Text-ploration
Big Questions, and the Answers Discovered by Hillel the Elder
Michael Simon
Sunday 7:40 PM–8:55 PM
Sports Bar
Identity and Responsibility,
Text and Thought,
University Student Recommended
Who am I? How should I communicate with others and how should I treat the Other? What do I want to contribute to the world? Using the famous three questions posed in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) 1:14 as a jumping-off point, we’ll examine the teachings and world-view of Hillel the Elder for clues to answering some of life’s biggest questions. The session will feature interactive text study and personal reflections. No experience necessary.
Marge & Jona in Concert
Featuring AkivaTheBeliever On Percussion
Marge Eiseman,
Jona Muchin,
Akiva Wharton
Sunday 7:40 PM–8:55 PM
Stardust
Marge Eiseman and Jona Muchin, mother and son from Milwaukee, WI, have performed at CAJE Conferences all over the US, and are delighted to share their original, spiritual music at Limmud NY. Marge’s compositions are from the heart and her voice is straight from her soul. Jona’s guitar playing and harmonies add richness and understanding to the music. They will be joined by AkivaTheBeliever on percussion.
Re-Examinimng Tzelem Elohim: Gender in God's Image
Joe Septimus
Sunday 7:40 PM–8:55 PM
Embassy Room 2
Identity and Responsibility,
Text and Thought
We tout the biblical notion that we are created in God’s image. But besides promoting an expectation of dignity, what does it really mean? By closely reading Bereishit (Genesis) and various midrashim (commentaries), we will construct a possible definition of tzelem and d’mus Elohim (loosely defined as ‘God’s image’) that incorporates the complexity of the male–female dynamic and how those characteristics can impact our responsibility, functionality, and reflexively, our understanding of God’s dynamic.
Rebels, Rockers, and Silver Screen: Session 2
Finding the Heart of Israel at 60: Israeli Theater
Basmat Hazan Arnoff
Sunday 7:40 PM–8:55 PM
Safari Back Space
Arts and Performance,
Global History and Culture,
Israel
The arts offer a detailed, unpredictable, colorful, and invaluable map for finding the heart of Israel at 60. In three sessions (attend 1, 2 or all 3), explore the social and cultural changes revealed by the people, work, and trends of today’s Hebrew arts and culture. Read, hear, and relate to gorgeous, hopeful, and troubling visions of Israel. All texts will be translated. No previous knowledge necessary. Through the biting and beautiful work of Hanoch Levine, one of Israel’s premier contemporary playwrights, read, react, and act out the themes of the constant tension between rebels and the bourgeois mainstream.
Remembrances of a Concentration Camp Liberator
The Indescribable Horror that I Witnessed at Gunskirchen
Alan Moskin
Canceled, sorry
Additional schedule
- Saturday 8:50 PM–10:05 PM
Empire Room 1
Global History and Culture,
Identity and Responsibility
Alan Moskin participated in the liberation of Gunskirchen concentration camp, a sub-camp of Mauthausen, as an eighteen-year-old soldier. The horror he witnessed there compelled him to speak about his experiences, attempting to describe the indescribable.
What do Jews have to do with Energy Policy?
Reversing U.S. addiction to oil and going green
Ami Greener
Sunday 7:40 PM–8:55 PM
Tower VIP Room
Identity and Responsibility
For 30 years AJC has maintained an energy policy targeted at reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Recently, AJC has resolved also to address the threats of climate change. Given high oil prices and new evidence about climate change, energy has become a hot topic in Washington. This talk will focus on AJC’s energy advocacy at the federal and local levels, as well as highlight technologies and policies that hold the promise of benefiting U.S. energy security, environment and economy.
What Does Being Jewish Mean in the Former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe?
Zvi Gitelman
Sunday 7:40 PM–8:55 PM
Empire Room 1
Identity and Responsibility
As part of a symposium on Jewish identity, Zvi will examine how post-Soviet Jews perceive their Jewish identity. Based on collected data by the speaker, we will see how very different this is from perceptions held in Western countries and Israel and how this poses challenges for mutual recognition.
With Sweet Honey from the Rock
Spiritual Supports in Times of Illness and Loss
Jonathan Katz
Sunday 7:40 PM–8:55 PM
Congressional Room 1
Identity and Responsibility,
Ritual and Prayer
Illness, loss, caregiving and bereavement can be extremely taxing spiritually, physically and emotionally. There are many effective ways to support the spirit, and comfort body and mind. Rita J. Kaplan's Jewish Connections Programs (through the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services) have developed an array of support groups, workshops, holiday programs and activities that make use of words, songs and actions found throughout Jewish tradition. This interactive workshop shows how to use these resources to uplift and comfort.
