Limmud has withdrawn sessions led by the leader of London’s controversial Kabbalah Centre from its programme, after rabbis voiced disquiet over his involvement.
In a statement released on Thursday morning, executive director Shelley Marsh said: “Machloket l’shem shemayim (arguments for the sake of Heaven) is a core Limmud principle.
"As a result of the deep discomfort that Marcus Weston’s sessions have created, Limmud is withdrawing them from the programme.
"Limmud will continue to create a space for debate and promote discussion on issues which are of interest to the international Jewish community.”
Rabbi Barry Marcus, who is a longstanding critic of the Kabbalah Centre, said: "Limmud have done the correct thing and I applaud them for that. They have behaved responsibly in not giving the Kabbalah Centre a platform, otherwise they would have had to consider giving a platform to other cults".
Rabbi Marcus had voiced his concerns about the Kabbalah Centre with Limmud chairman Kevin Sefton yesterday.