Our annual weekend festival presented simultaneously at venues in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Saturday 18 July & Sunday 19 July.
The JDI's second Festival of Dangerous Ideas brings together the voices you won't hear at your shul, your dinner table, or your corporate gala. Over two extraordinary days, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July, we host the conversations that matter most, simultaneously in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
We have invited sought-after international and local speakers. The underlying theme is: how do Jews and Palestinians break free of the spiral of violence and find peace? We have chosen a symbolic date, Nelson Mandela's birthday, to emphasise that even under the grimmest circumstances, peace is still possible when there is a determination to find it.
The Festival takes place in two venues, The Hellenic Community Centre in Mouille Point, Cape Town, and the Killarney Country Club in Houghton, Johannesburg. Most sessions are screened live between the two venues, but some are local. A lunch, a supper and teas and coffee are included. There is plenty of secure parking at both venues. Check out the programme below and the speakers, then book on Quicket.
Presented simultaneously at venues in Cape Town and Johannesburg. All timings are provisional and subject to change.
Johannesburg & Cape Town
Introduction
JDI chairperson Irwin Manoim welcomes delegates and briefly explains the proceedings.
Avrum Burg speaks on Mandela's birthday
Once one of Israel's most powerful politicians, now the eloquent, outspoken conscience of his people, Avrum Burg will join us in South Africa on Mandela's birthday. In this session, he speaks from Johannesburg.
Arab Barghouti talks to Azhar Cachalia
The voice of the Free Marwan Barghouti campaign in dialogue for the first time with one of the founding members of the Free Mandela Campaign.
☕ Tea Break
Film and group discussion: Scenes from the Divide
A short film about Jewish divisions over New York mayor Zohran Mamdani. To be followed by discussion of how its themes match our personal experiences here.
The Bad Jews Podcast visits JDI
The Bad Jews Podcast featuring Anthony Fish Hodgson and Caitlin Le Roith will record live at our Cape Town venue. Anthony and Caitlin don't agree with Liberal Zionism … and we've invited them to tell us why. Our audience are welcome to argue back ... or agree with them. Also Zoomed to Joburg.
🍽️ Dinner
Mo Husseini, filmmaker and activist
Palestinian film-maker whose viral movies have made him one of the most distinctive and original voices in Israeli-Palestinian discourse. He will also show some film clips.
Johannesburg & Cape Town
📋 Registration
Jonathan Shapiro (Zapiro)
The silencing of images. South Africa's most famous cartoonist on how Israel-Palestine has become a "no-go" area for many international cartoonists as newspaper editors come under pressure from Israel's lobbyists.
Sally Abed of Standing Together
The Palestinian joint director of Israel's largest grassroots movement, Standing Together, which recently took the bold step of launching a political party for both Jews and Palestinians calling for partnership rather than division.
☕ Tea Break
Rabbi Arik Ascherman, peace activist
The former head of Rabbis for Human Rights has been beaten, stabbed and arrested for his work in shielding Palestinian farmers from settler vigilantes.
🍽️ Lunch
The youth talk back to us
What are the concerns and aspirations of Jewish youth at this divided and troubled time for our community? A panel of youngsters talk to each other and also to the bobbas and zeiders.
Listen From the Heart
Personal narratives from bereaved Israelis and Palestinians who have lost family in the conflicts, designed to challenge communities to engage in meaningful dialogue, exploring pathways toward greater understanding and connection. Presented by Cape Town educator Jocelyn Horwitz.
☕ Tea Break
Samer Sinijlawi on a shared society
A fiercely independent voice within Palestinian politics, challenging both the Palestinian authorities and Hamas, urging democratic reforms within Palestinian politics. A regular and eloquent speaker at JDI events.
Molly Crabapple on the Jewish Bund
The author of the New York Times best-seller about the Yiddishist mass movement with roots in Lithuania, which campaigned for a Jewish life within the diaspora rather than nationalism and statehood.
Closing address from Avrum Burg
Speaking from Cape Town this time, Avrum Burg addresses themes raised at the conference.
Thank You and Good Night
Closing remarks from JDI veteran and former chair Basil Dubb.
* Programme is provisional and subject to change