Sunday's inaugural Hackney Limmud has been hailed as an unqualified success with more than 700 people attending events at the Petchey Academy in Stoke Newington.

Co-chair Steve Brown reported: "We have been deluged with emails from speakers and the public saying how much they enjoyed it. We will definitely do it again."

The programme was packed with learning sessions from morning to evening, with stalls and exhibitions enhancing the visitor experience. Musical contributors ranged from the London Jewish Male Choir to klezmer acts and African drummers. Children had their own activities.

Highlights of the day were Lord Levy in conversation with journalist, author and JC columnist Jonathan Freedland, talking about his childhood in the area and his time in business and politics.

Rabbi Hershel Gluck, a leading member of the local Charedi community, spoke on Muslim-Jewish harmony and Professor Stephen Frosh drew a large audience for his talk on psychoanalysis and Judais.