The closure of Gatwick Airport in recent days because of rogue drones presented an unexpected challenge for Limmud.

Organisers of the festival had to react quickly to help a number of foreign guests who were unable to land at the London airport. 

“We hit the phones really hard and worked with participants and presenters to reroute their flights,” said Limmud Festival joint programming chair, Sarah Pinch.

“Some people from the USA flew to Amsterdam and we gave them a connecting flight to Birmingham.”

But the chaos at Gatwick meant some sessions have had to be rearranged, including one that had been scheduled on Sunday by Israeli drag king Noga Yechieli Wind.

“At the end of the day everyone will be here – which is the most important thing,” Ms Pinch said.

While the main event began today, it was preceded by a pre-festival Shabbaton attended by hundreds of people.