Limmud has cancelled the in-person sessions for children and families that had been scheduled as part of this year’s Festival owing to the surge in the omicron variant of coronavirus.

A spokesman for the festival, which begins on Friday, said they had taken the “difficult decision” to move wholly to an online format.It was, he said, “made in consultation with medical doctors, public health professionals and senior youth workers, who all ultimately concurred that - with case numbers set to increase further this week - it is essential to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children, parents and ​volunteers.”

But he added, a series of interactive online sessions would be “available to families at zero cost, and children can dip in and out as they wish.

“Those who have already booked for our youth and families programmes will also receive a little surprise in the post this week, because even though they can't come to Limmud Festival, we promise to bring a little piece of festival to each family.”

The full festival programme can be seen here.