Here is a calendar of upcoming events, up and down the country. Some are organized by us, others by like-minded organizations and groups.
Leon Malmed
Wednesday 21 February @ 6:30pm
Leon Malmed was born in France in 1937, and is a survivor of the Holocaust, in which his parents were killed at Auschwitz. Leon moved to the USA in the 1960s, where he lives today. After 60 years of total silence about his childhood and experience during World War II, Leon decided to write and publish his memoir “We Survived… At Last, I Speak”. Leon is visiting Christchurch and graciously offered tell his story while he is in town, to talk about his life and answer questions.
Because of heightened security alerts because of October 7, here are the protocols for admission:
1. You must be a paid up member.
2. You must RSVP to NZFOI by email to contact@nzfoi.org by Tuesday 10pm.
3. If you are a paid-up member then we will advise you of the venue by return email.
4. On Wednesday evening, your membership and identification will be checked at the entrance to the venue.
These terms will be strictly adhered to: Exceptions will not be accepted.
If you are unsure of your membership status contact our treasurer jaclarke@orcon.net.nz.
Dr Sheree Trotter
Indigenous Peoples and the Middle East Conflict
Today, one hears that the Palestinians are an indigenous people that is having their homeland stolen from them by the white settler colonialists, the Jews. Is this true?
The events of October 7 have divided New Zealanders. The connection to indigenous rights has created fault lines for our Maori community.
On Thursday, we are delighted to welcome Dr Sheree Trotter to talk to us about the establishment of the Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem and her views on how the Middle East Conflict has impacted her Maori Community.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Dr Sheree Trotter is a researcher, writer, and co-director of the Indigenous Coalition For Israel. She also co-founded the Holocaust and Antisemitism Foundation, Aotearoa New Zealand (formerly Shadows of Shoah). Sheree is Māori (Te Arawa) and earned her PhD in History at the University of Auckland.
Limmud is a cross-communal ‘festival of learning’ which last year attracted over 25000 participants to its events, held across five continents, in almost forty countries. It started in the UK 30 years ago where the annual five-day event now attracts 2,500 people from across the religious spectrum and boasts 350 presenters offering some 900 sessions.
Limmud aims to enable each participant to go one step further on their own Jewish journey. One of the key principles behind what has now become an international cross-communal movement is that we all have something to contribute and can learn from each other. Presenters are treated as part of the community, they are volunteers like those who organise the events and all are rewarded by the opportunity to learn from each other. Becoming Limmud NZ makes us part of an exciting worldwide movement.
Limmud has core principles that we feel reflect our community. The catchphrase behind Limmud is “Every Jew should be a student and everyone can be a teacher”. This seems very much to capture what our organizing committee believes, and we are eager for more local presenters to put themselves forward and to encourage people to volunteer. Even an hour will make a huge difference to the success of the first Limmud conference on 18/19 August. Expanding Jewish horizons, empowering individuals to contribute to their community and enabling connections to be made between individuals and across communities are the values behind Limmud International and behind Limmud NZ. We also love the emphasis on ensuring all participants feel equally respected and comfortable at Limmud, no matter which shul they go to, or don’t go to. All Limmud events will be strictly kosher to enable participants to eat and enjoy together.
Limmud, of course, means learning and it is about learning but not in a formalized way. The great thing about the format is it is “pick and mix”. Each session runs for an hour, and there are five different streams to choose from.You just pick what you want to go to – discussion of an ethical dilemma with local and international experts, an intimate text study, a film discussion, or sessions relating to parenting issues. If you need a break for a session, grab a coffee and schmooze. The only thing we can’t do for you is arrange for you to be at two sessions at once – although some sessions are repeated.
Keep these dates free, more information to come.
We are also raising funds for Moran (who will speak with us tonight). If you’d like to donate, please go to https://donorbox.org/donate-to-moran-stella-yanai
On the morning of October 7, Kibbutz Be’eri was struck by a devastating tragedy. Hundreds of Hamas terrorists invaded the community, unleashing a wave of unimaginable horror. Ninety-three members of the community had been brutally murdered. This horrific event claimed the lives of women, children, toddlers, and even an infant, amounting to 10% of the farming community’s residents.
Fire and gunfire destroyed thirty percent of the homes, leaving behind tales of survival marked by horror, abandonment, helplessness, and enduring pain. After capturing the kibbutz, the terrorists went from house to house, shooting or capturing residents while setting buildings on fire. They were accompanied by a camera team and a journalist who documented the attack. Many residents tried to hide in shelter rooms, but the attackers blew up the doors and killed everyone inside.
Nine members were taken into the Gaza Strip, five of whom have since died in captivity. 120 people are still held hostage, their fate uncertain.
The kibbutz is currently a closed military zone, off-limits to the general public. Created on February 7th, exactly five months after October 7th, this series has a significant historical value. In an era rife with disinformation, fake news and AI manipulated imagery, these documentary photos serve as a silent testament to that horrific attack.
Attendance by registration only, please click here to register.
Opening event: Saturday, June 22nd, 6-8pm with keynote speaker Juliet Moses
Exhibition Dates: Sunday June 23rd – Friday July 5th, 10am-3pm, excluding Friday, June 28th (public holiday)
Venue: Auckland Hebrew Congregation, 514 Remuera Road, Remuera
Phone: 09-373 2908
You are invited to the Premier of this documentary about the human stories that were tragically affected by the October 7 Nova Music Festival massacre.
There will be a 20 minute Q & A with Yariv Mozer, the Director of the film.
Tuesday, June 25, 6 pm, Hoyts Entx, Christchurch
See you there!
You are invited to the Premier of this documentary that tells the moving story of how a Gazan doctor, Dr Abuelaish dealt with the loss and grief of losing his 3 daughters during a war with Israel.
There will be a 20 minute Q & A with Tal Barda, the Director of the film, and Dr Abuelaish.
Wed, June 26, 6 pm, Hoyts Entx, Christchurch
See you there!