Limmud Oz Melbourne 2025

This session will explore generational change through narratives of five daughters. Though written in different times and places, the stories of B’not Zelophehad (Numbers 27, 36), Fiddler on the Roof, and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, portray families dealing with loss, change, shifting perspectives, and the ultimate question of who will marry whom. By reading these stories, we will consider what is lost and what is gained in the transition from generation to generation.

Since the very first exchange, in recent history, of over 1000 terrorists for the release of Gilad Shalit, the Jewish world has grappled with the issue of ransoming of hostages. Since November 2023, the issue of how traditional Jewish texts speak to the issue, has resurfaced. Are there traditional Jewish texts on ransoming of captives? Are they instructive on the current negotiations with Hamas?

In this session Peri will share some thoughts and best practices in education which encourage learners to engage with questions of diverse Jewish identities. This is based on the work we do at TALI with schools and educators to bridge the gaps which undermine the foundations of Israel as a Jewish and democratic society.

In times of collective grief and personal challenge, choosing joy is not frivolous - it’s a powerful act of resilience. This inspiring session draws on positive psychology and the science of laughter to explore how joy can uplift, unite and heal. Ros Ben-Moshe offers practical strategies to cultivate lightness, humour and connection - reminding us that joy, even in the darkest times, is both a Jewish value and profoundly human way to reclaim hope and restore wellbeing.

The history of Jewish surnames – their origins, types, and etymologies. Learn when they were first used in various countries, how they developed, and their transformation upon immigration. This presentation will dispel several myths about Jewish surnames. Classifications of surnames: patronymic/matronymic, toponymic, occupational, artificial, religious, and acronyms. Discover which Jewish surnames are the most common in the U.S., Eastern Europe and Israel. Sources for learning more about your surnames and how they may be accessed.