It’s complex – that’s why you need Limmud

Talking about Israel has never been harder – or more important. That’s why Limmud 2025 matters more than ever.

Talking about Israel these days isn’t easy. The headlines are overwhelming. The opinions are divisive, and the heartbreak is all consuming. Our beloved homeland has, more than ever, become a source of pride, pain, and profound complexity.

Jews throughout the world need more than just emotion to navigate this critical junction in our history. Antisemitism is spiralling, misinformation is spreading faster than facts, and our children are asking tough and pertinent question, to which silence cannot be the answer. More than ever, we require facts, insight, and access to voices that inform, challenge, and inspire our responses.

That’s where Limmud 2025 steps in

Limmud 2025 offers an exclusive opportunity to engage with Israel, not through soundbites or social media, but through direct learning from a diverse range of exceptional presenters. From journalists and academics, to activists, rabbis, and policy experts, Limmud brings together a mosaic of perspectives that reflect the complexity of Israeli society today and gives participants the opportunity to hear from people who live it, study it, challenge it, and love it.

Multiple voices, one conversation

At a time when discourse around Israel is increasingly polarised, Limmud offers something rare: a space where complexity is welcomed and opposing views are used as a catalyst for growth. Wherever you stand, and whatever you are wrestling with, you will find presenters who share with conviction and through lived experience. It’s where you can sit in a session about Israeli politics and then walk into another on grassroots peacebuilding. It’s where you can hear a rabbi and a secular activist offer completely different takes, and walk away with a deeper understanding of both. It’s where you will hear from those on the ground – journalists reporting from conflict zones; educators working with youth; and left-wing thinkers grappling with what it means to love Israel critically and constructively.

Equipping ourselves for the moment

Antisemitic rhetoric has surged globally in recent months, and South African Jewry has certainly not been immune. Much of this hostility is tied, explicitly or implicitly, to Israel. To respond effectively as members of the South African Jewish community, we need more than slogans. We need substance. We need to understand the facts, the context, and the narratives that drive public opinion.

Limmud 2025 has been designed to equip us with that knowledge. It empowers us to speak up with confidence, and challenge misinformation without shutting down dialogue. It gives us the tools to think more clearly and engage more meaningfully when putting our viewpoints across, and will certainly help ensure that our connection to Israel – or possible lack thereof – is rooted not just in emotion, but understanding. And the conversations we have about Israel don’t stay in the conference room. They shape how we respond to rising criticism of Israel; how we engage with our communities; and how we advocate for ourselves and others.

A space for everyone

Whether you’re critical of Israel, a staunch Zionist, or somewhere in between, Limmud is your space. It’s where you can explore your relationship with Israel in a way that’s honest, informed, and grounded in Jewish values.

And it’s not just for adults. With dedicated programming for teens and young adults, Limmud ensures that the next generation is equipped to engage with Israel thoughtfully and meaningfully – on campus, online, and in their communities.

Join us at Limmud 2025. Let’s ask the hard questions. Let’s hear the real stories.

To register or explore the full programme, visit limmud.org.za.

Limmud Johannesburg (15-17 August); Limmud Durban (20 August); and Limmud Cape Town (23-24 August).