Limmud Toronto 2021

Early Jewish settlement in Canada took place mostly in urban communities in Montreal, Toronto, and Winnipeg. But did you know that dozens of Jewish farming colonies were established in Western Canada between the 1880s and the early 20th century? This presentation will delve into the surprising history of Jewish farmers in Canada and explore questions like: Why did some colonies thrive and others fail? To what extent were the colonists able to maintain their cultural and religious traditions? And how did the colonists interact with local Indigenous populations and non-Jewish settlers?

1906 in the southern United States brought with it the Atlanta Race Riots. Incensed by scandalous (and likely false) accounts of four rapes of white women by black men, thousands of white Atlantans rioted and targeted black businesses, homes, and people. And so, when 7 years later 17 year old Grace Hicks’ white body was found in an Atlanta pencil factory, the police – the entire police force was white at that time – did what they generally did in Georgi … they arrested a Negro. Within a week over 200 people were questioned, often held for long periods of time, shackled and beaten. When they couldn’t find enough evidence to bring anyone to trial the police looked elsewhere – and put the Jewish superintendent of the factory – Leo M. Frank - on trial. Some say that perhaps no 20th century trial had more far-reaching effects on American society. Now largely forgotten, in its day it was on everyone’s lips from coast to coast and from quiet streets into the Oval Office. Come hear the story of this heinous trial and find out what lasting effect it has had.

After last year’s presentation about four amazing women who built the State of Israel, Peta will introduce you to another four remarkable women whose contributions have been at the most fundamental level of state-building – building the population. These rescuers have brought Jews home from the four corners of the earth, taking personal risks for the love of the Jewish people and the vision of Israel as a safe haven and Land of freedom and opportunity.

“It’s the good that I desire, It’s broad expanses entrance me, ...Good for ever, good right now, Good for every people and nation."

Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook (1865-1935) was a being of immense illumination. As the first Chief Rabbi of the Land of Israel he directed and defined the transition from the Torah of exile to the Torah of Israel and the world.. His influence on modern Israel and the Jewish world continues to grow. His wide-ranging poetry is an expression of his most elevated states of consciousness and insights. Rav Itzchak will perform a selection of these in Hebrew and English with musical accompaniment. Itzchak has presented these creatively in Israel and North America.
“A generation will awaken, And sing to beauty and to life. And draw unending delight From the dew of heaven.”

The Hebrew language is the core of Jewish life in many ways. In this session we will explore a historical perspective of the evolution of Hebrew in Israel while examining the cultural and spiritual challenges we face and how those are reflected in the language we speak. Learn about how Hebrew serves as a performative utterance in the Torah, the Diaspora, and in relation to Zionism, as we work through the tension between the secularization and the sanctity of the Hebrew language. Explore the significance and context of new Hebrew words while thinking about Hebrew as our connector to Zionism and the Jewish people.

Sephardic, Mizrahi, Iraqi, Arab, Middle Eastern... What's in a name? These are all words that my family has identified or been identified as, yet these terms can have very different connotations and meanings. This presentation will specifically focus on the impact of history and contemporary politics on identity among the Jewish Iraqi community. I will utilize both my personal family history and academic research on the topic to reflect on the ways that Orientalism, colonialism, Zionism, modern nationalism, and geographic relocations impact identity.

The presentation will briefly discuss the recent history of the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis (1900 to the present). It will then explore the different narratives and asymmetry of power between the two peoples that contribute to the current political impasse. It will explain why the alternatives to the two state solution would mean the end of Israel as a Jewish and Democratic state and will conclude with an analysis of what would be needed to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.

In this presentation, we will go through as much of the daf together as time permits. On the one hand, we will stay close to the language of the text. On the other, we will allow ourselves to explore fully the meaning of what is being said.