newsletter ISSUE 12 TISHRI 5772 / OCTOBER 2011
From the four corners of the earth: Gathering together at Limmud Conference in the UK Limmud volunteers: A limited number of subsidies are available for participation at Limmud Conference. Speak to your local Limmud group Chair now if you would like to be considered! Unique opportunity
As we enter the new Jewish year and Limmud groups make separate plans for their local events, Limmud Conference in the UK is the one annual opportunity for over 100 Limmud volunteers across the globe to all come together in one place.
Learning, sharing, challenging, innovating...and just maybe playing the bongos All this and more is possible and probable at Limmud Conference this December in the UK. With 2,500 participants from diverse backgrounds and countries, and over 1,000 sessions and performances, delegates from Limmud groups will be able to engage with many new people and ideas, at or in between sessions, over meals, coffee or at the bar!
More choice than ever before Diversity and choice are key values of Limmud. This year‘s Limmud International training programme at Conference is no exception. We‘re covering some core topics and adding in some new ones. Whether you‘re a first timer or are coming back for more, have worked on one event or five, we are aiming to provide something (or many things!) for everyone. There will be two Taking Limmud Back Home (TLBH) workshop sessions a day (Sunday— Wednesday) at the same time to increase the range of topics covered. We recommend each group sends at least 2 delegates so that you can cover them both and take the learning back home to your teams! Provisional TLBH programme: Budgeting Grassroots fundraising Social media marketing Understanding and explaining Limmud values Creative programming, performance + evenings Team building + volunteer development Creating Chavruta texts +learning sessions Reflection to action - how will you translate your experience into change?
By popular demand we are bringing back themed Surgeries. These are more informal smaller post-lunch discussions to raise questions from your own Limmud group on a specific topic with an experienced volunteer in that field. Discover whether other Limmudniks have had a similar experience and how they have dealt with it and offer your own suggestions. Provisional Surgery themes: Young Limmud Family provision Shabbat planning Organizational development We are also happy to arrange One to One Meetings and Introductions for any international delegates who would like them.
L‟Chaim & Welcome Reception! Whether you arrive on Friday or Sunday, come meet other international Limmud group volunteers to put some names to face and find out who else is here. (Yes, there will be snacks!)
SEE YOU THERE! By Amy Philip, Limmud International Steering Group, Training & Dani Serlin, Limmud Project Co-ordinator
LIMMUD INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER 1
Message from the Chairs: Jewish Journeys one part of the world, to live either permanently or temporarily in another. Limmud Germany for example, operates their conference in three languages – German, Russian and English, to accommodate the participants‘ needs.
As a people, our story has been about Journeys. It is about physical journeys –from Canaan to the land of Israel in ancient times, and from Central and Eastern Europe to the UK, North America, South Africa and beyond more than one hundred years ago. These days, our journeys include making Aliyah from all parts of the world to Israel, but also moving from Canada to the Netherlands, Hungary to Germany, the UK to Australia. No wonder we Jews are called the wandering people! It is also about Jewish journeys, as we travel through our lives. Again, as our story unfolds in Torah we go from being a disparate group of ancient people, to a nation with codes and rules to govern our day to day, moral and religious lives. Through modern history, the spiritual journey of the Jewish people has reflected changing times, both political and environmental. From the period of enlightenment, when Jews began to explore their relationship with the modern world in previously untried ways, to the present day, when alternative minyanim (prayer groups) and multiple expressions of Jewish religious and cultural practice expand the possibilities for Jewish life, we are on a journey. The experiences we have within Limmud International are about both our physical journeys and our Jewish journeys. As we co-chairs have travelled to a variety of Limmud events and training in Berlin, Budapest, Toronto, Israel and more this year, in every place we have met Limmudniks who have physically moved from
Limmud‘s most enduring strap line ―take one step further on your Jewish journey‖ is very appropriate to Limmud International events. In each Limmud event around the world we can see people experiencing Jewish learning and Jewish life in new and thoughtprovoking ways. At Limmud International we are trying to measure the outcomes and impact of our Jewish journeys. Highly respected and experienced researchers, Steven M. Cohen and Ezra Kopelowitz are working with us to produce an Impact Study for Limmud International. Please fill in the survey that will have been sent to you if you haven‘t already done so! The results of the survey will be launched at Limmud Conference in the UK in December and will then be available to all Limmud groups world-wide. During Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we reflect on the journey of our year. For Limmud International it has been a very busy year as we have tried to provide an infrastructure to enable Limmuds to grow and flourish world-wide. For each of us involved in Limmud International, whether we are participating or volunteering (or both!) on a team somewhere around the world, our Jewish journey has been, to some extent, bound up with Limmud. Shana tova and we look forward to continuing the journey with you. Helena Miller (helena.limmud@gmail.com) and Uri Berkowitz (uri.limmud@gmail.com)
Out now or coming soon... International Limmud Impact Study: If you have received a survey link please complete the survey by 24 October. Your contribution is vital to making this a meaningful study and the outcome will benefit all Limmud groups. Member of Limmud International logo: If you are a Limmud group and you don‟t currently have the Member of Limmud International logo on your website and publications please contact dani@limmud.org for details on how to obtain this. The Limmud International VIDEO COMPETITION will be launched soon, giving each Limmud group the chance to show off, win a prize and be part of a Limmud International promotional video. Access to the Limmud International Resources Directory currently in development will be coming soon...but feel free to send any templates (e.g. pledge cards) or innovations (e.g. volunteer recruitment tips) to dani@limmud.org if you think they would be useful to other Limmud volunteers. 2 LIMMUD INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
AN INTERVIEW WITH
Emma Sevitt, President, Limmud Netherlands
www.limmoed.nl
In a series of interviews with Limmud activists around the world, here we celebrate a key activist involved in prioritising the grassroots volunteerism of Limmud Netherlands What did you want to achieve when you started Limmud Netherlands? I didn't start Limmud Netherlands, or Limmoed as It is essential we call it over here. The concept had been brought to to put the the Netherlands years before complaints we began it as a volunteer organization, run through a [back] into the long standing Jewish hands of the organization. What we did was transform it into a participants. If volunteer based event. they want to However, when the small group of us "started" see something Limmud, our goal was to different, then create an event that was attractive to all types of bring them on Jewish communities in Holland. The community has board. a history of being very disparate, and our hope was that Limmud would be an opportunity for mutual engagement and learning.
What are your proudest achievements at Limmud Netherlands? Linked to what I have said previously, our proudest achievement is that in some way we have been able to overcome our challenge - and that all sorts of Jews from Holland and local environs volunteer and participate in Limmud. From the extremely Orthodox to the completely unaffiliated, young and old as well as Amsterdamers and those from more remote parts of the country. Limmud has engaged them in questions about the past, present and future. What is the most important advice you would give to other Limmud groups? The most important advice was given to me from other Limmud volunteers. Often people complain - it is easy to complain. They complain about the food, they complain about the lack of presenters coming to speak about a particular theme. They complain about the music, they complain about the programme book. It is essential to put the complaints into the hands of the participants. If they want to see something different, then bring them on board. Use them as a springboard for positive change. Don't always feel that you have to change because of their complaints. Get them to ensure that your future Limmud is to their liking by enabling them. It makes all the difference!
Why is Limmud a good model for engagement? Limmud is a good model for engagement as it enables people to come together without a title and without affiliation. Limmud is a community of learners and teachers who are there to embrace the essence of education and opportunity, no matter with whom. It is exciting to learn from people of different ages, Jewish backgrounds, genders, experts and beginners together. It is also an excellent model for engagement as it provides choice. Throughout each moment in the day there are opportunities for a variety of learning - so that there is a place for everyone. Limmud does shmooze very well - and Limmud Netherlands is no different. It is a place to connect and re-connect and hence it is an excellent model. What challenges have you faced? We have faced considerable challenges over the years. It is not always easy to convince local presenters to come and present just for the sake of learning. Many presenters are bound to their community and to step out of that community is challenging for them and therefore for us. We want to ensure that we attract a range of people from the Jewish community and Limmud took some time to become a part of the Dutch Jewish calendar. LIMMUD INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER 3
SHARED CHALLENGES AND INNOVATIONS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE
Training on Tour Programme 2011 On the very last day of August, 30 Limmudniks started a new beginning by participating in the first Limmud International Training on Tour programme. Bringing delegates from multiple Limmud groups together for training for the first time outside of the UK, Limmud Atlanta+SE and Camp Ramah Dorom were our wonderful hosts. The programme was led by trainers from Limmud International in the UK and in the US and benefited from the excellent resource of North American volunteer Limmud leaders who led skills workshops and clinics. The training programme was part of an expansion of Limmud International‘s training and support activities to around 60 communities around the world. It was also a response to the need for Limmud volunteers to meet face to face with their peers more often, to share experiences and learn from each others‘ challenges and innovations.
"I was relieved to learn other Limmuds face many of the same challenges as we do in Colorado. Training on Tour provided the motivation and support for a group of dedicated Limmudniks to work through our challenges as a group, and to come up with real solutions that are truly „Limmud‟.” Ed Sitver, Limmud Colorado, Board member
PROGRAMME CONTENT The first part of the programme, before LimmudFest, focused on core training sessions, steeped in discussion about how to effectively implement Limmud‘s values and create teachable moments. Participants challenged themselves by debating against their adopted and sometimes comfortable views, for example, on the type of events they hold, whether one day or many, and whether to have a paid staff member. Skills workshops were a key part of the training programme, practically addressing the challenges of volunteer recruitment and retention, the practicalities of fundraising effectively and using free technology for effective and efficient marketing. Optional clinics were held over three days of LimmudFest, providing a space for smaller groups to focus intensely on one particular topic at a time. These included a how to on using facebook as a marketing tool, creating an inclusive Shabbat environment at Limmud events and how to develop sustainable organizational leadership structures.
PARTICIPANTS Volunteer team members, including first timers, seasoned event chairs and board members took part from the following Limmud groups: Limmud Atlanta+SE; LimmudBoston; Limmud Chicago; Limmud Colorado; Limmud FSU Hamptons; Limmud NOLA; Limmud NY; Limmud Philly & Limmud Winnipeg “Limmud Atlanta + SE has existed for 5 years and we have seen a tremendous momentum of growth and enthusiasm and community involvement. This was our largest conference yet and being able to use it as a chance for our volunteers to learn and share with other North American Limmud and Limmud International was incredible. It was transforming to us to be able to be immersed in what‟s core to Limmud both right before and while implementing our conference at the same time. The relationships our volunteers formed with other Limmud volunteers and Limmud International has already helped strengthen what we have here. This needs to be an annual event!” Eric Robbins, Limmud Atlanta+SE, Board Chair
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The programme as a whole was enriched by the trainers and participants drawing on their own Limmud group experiences to provide examples and suggestions for moving forward. And of course, some volunticipation! What Limmudnik could go to another Limmud group event and not volunteer?! On the night before LimmudFest, the Training on Tour participants gathered to help put together the participant welcome packs and name badges and could be seen amongst the rocking chairs at the helpdesk throughout the LimmudFest weekend.
SHARED CHALLENGES AND INNOVATIONS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE LIMMUD INTERNATIONAL TRAINING ON TOUR 2011 10 SHARED LEARNING TIPS During the concluding session of the Training on Tour programme, participants shared their reflections with each other as a whole and also in teams of their local Limmud group to consider how they could change their experiences at the programme into action. Here are 10 learning tips we would like to share with all Limmud volunteers. Start every team meeting thinking about a dilemma (this can be from experience or why not be creative?). Draw on the Limmud values to think about how you would resolve the problem whilst reminding ourselves about the kind of community we are trying to develop. “Limmud's Training on Tour programme was a wonderful opportunity to connect with participants from Limmudim around the world. I learned so much from their experiences that I want to be able to bring back home!” Sara Levy, Limmud Philly, Co-chair As part of volunteer training and development, encourage people to take the opposite view in a debate when deciding a significant issue or policy. It can be helpful to stand in different shoes and think through the pros and cons. Limmud groups should be more confident in their fundraising ‗ask‘. Don‘t forget that we are not asking for ourselves but for a crosscommunal learning community. In appealing for funds to participants at a Limmud group event be direct and honest about the costs involved and where their money goes Ask volunteers at other Limmud groups if they have experienced similar challenges and how they have approached them. This is a resource we should use more often. Be aware of different people‘s styles when creating a team to find a good working balance
Pair experienced volunteers on teams with less experienced ones, different generations and backgrounds etc. Think about performance programming and social spaces for making connections and learning from one another outside of timetabled sessions at events Use social media (facebook, twitter etc) for marketing and public relations to reach a wider audience, but don‘t forget the importance of personal face-to-face contact and building relationships “By meeting people from all over the world and listening to their knowledge and experiences about Limmud, I feel part of something that can really make a difference in the lives of Jews in New Orleans. Limmud is unlike any other group or organization that I have ever been in involved with, and I am glad it found me!” Marisa Kahn, Limmud NOLA, Marketing Invest in volunteer development and leadership potential, make this a focus all year round — build a community not just an event
WHAT NEXT? With a successful first Training on Tour programme behind us and a strengthened network of volunteers sharing resources and advice, we now aim to bring this programme to other regions across the world. Watch this space for information about Training on Tour in Europe in 2012.
By Dani Serlin, Limmud Project Co-ordinator dani@limmud.org
LIMMUD INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER 5
MEET THE PARTNERS
Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation For several years, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation has been a proud ally of Limmud International and the many individuals who plan and participate in Limmud events throughout the world. The Foundation‘s mission and the vision of Lynn Schusterman align closely with both the values of Limmud and its focus on engaging and empowering a diverse array of Jews to embrace the joy of Jewish living and learning. In addition to the relationship between the Foundation and Limmud, there is an important relationship between Limmud and the ROI Community, a part of the constellation of global initiatives started by the Schusterman family to advance its vision of vibrant Jewish life. The ROI Community is a worldwide network of individuals engaged in creative and inspiring endeavors designed to strengthen our global Jewish community. Dozens of members of the ROI Community are involved in planning and participating in Limmuds, and we are particularly proud that many of the key leadership roles in some of the biggest Limmud festivals around the world (including Limmud in the UK) are held by ROIers. The overlap of our two networks is no accident; Limmud and the ROI Community both engage the type of dynamic individuals that not only participate as consumers of Jewish life but also those that serve as some if its most inspired creators. Over the past few months, in my new role of Director of Network Initiatives for the Foundation, I have had the privilege of spending time with many members of the Limmud International community in places ranging from Johannesburg, South Africa, to my hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, in the Southeastern United States. Each encounter has reinforced my belief that Limmud is
developing one of the most vital networks of Jewish life and learning in existence today and that it holds a unique position as one of the emerging ―universal languages‖ of the global Jewish community. From New York to New Zealand, from LimmudBoston to Limmud FSU, the work of the Limmud International community is connecting more individuals to Jewish life and to one another in ways that serve as a model for other networks and institutions. But even while the Limmud International community has set a high standard of success for others, so too has it set a high standard for its own community to transcend as it looks to the future. We can all agree that the key values of Limmud—including diversity, cross-communalism, participation, empowerment and expanding the Jewish horizon—are essential for a strong and enduring Jewish future. When we each embrace these values personally, we become stronger community members. When we embrace them collectively and in a deeply connected way, we become a stronger community. The ways the Limmud International community deepens and expands that global embrace will be an important journey in the years ahead and, as our Foundation and the entire Schusterman philanthropic network embarks on a new agenda to support the development of a more networked and interconnected global Jewish community, it is a journey we look forward to sharing with you as partners and as friends. By Seth Cohen, Director of Network Initiatives, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
CHAVRUTA
Which New Year is it? Chavruta study for Rosh Hashanah How is it that Rosh Hashanah, which is observed on the first two days of Tishrei, actually occurs during the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar? It turns out that the holiday we refer to as the Jewish New Year is actually one of four new years in the Hebrew calendar. They are all described in the Mishnah, as we learn in this extract from The Limmud 2010 Chavruta Project (‗Time‘): There are four New Years. [1] The first of Nissan is the New Year for kings and for festivals. [2] The first of Elul is the New Year for the [tithing] of animals…[3] The first of Tishri is the New Year for the [counting of the] years, for sabbatical years, for jubilee years, for planting and for vegetables. [4] The first of Shevat is the New Year for trees (according to the School of Shammai; the School of Hillel says: [the New Year for trees] is on the fifteenth).
Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 1:1
6 LIMMUD INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
We invite you to share this reading at your holiday table, reflecting with family and friends on the following questions: Why does Mishnah Rosh Hashanah name multiple new years? How do they affect our relationship to the calendar? Our non-Jewish world also has multiple new years (e.g., the fiscal year, the academic year, the agricultural year). Are there any parallels between these dates and the ones listed in the Mishnah above? Does having four new years add to your experience of the Jewish calendar? Wishing you and yours a shana tova, a healthy, happy and peaceful new year! By Karen Radkowsky, Limmud NY, Chavruta Team Leader
LIMMUD GROUP NETWORK ING
Limmudniks connected by innovation This summer Limmudniks from Limmud communities across the world including France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Ukraine, Montreal, Vienna, New York and the UK were able to connect in person when they took part in the ROI Summit (Jerusalem) and the Summer of Change (Sweden, including JPropel - ROI Community, JHub and Paideia partners).
David Brown Co-Chair Participant Care, Limmud Conference 2011 and Social Action Coordinator, JHub Meeting fellow Limmudniks at ROI in June was great. It was really interesting to hear how Limmud develops in countries such as Hungary and Ukraine, and meet people involved in reinvigorating Judaism in places where it is relatively new to be able to express Judaism openly. It was also clear that Limmud is a platform for generating new Jewish ideas, and
the ROI Community, which is about fostering Jewish innovation, has a strong contingent of Limmudniks, and those whose innovations have been supported by Limmud events and people. I was particularly lucky to connect with Malki Rose from Limmud Oz Fest Melbourne, and will be joining her at Fest later this year. I‘ll be presenting on social action, creative campaigns, and exploring why queering Judaism is good for all Jews. I‘m very excited to experience Limmud in a different country, and get a second chance at summer!
Shoshana Bloom Co-Chair Limmud Conference 2011, Head—Jewish Culture Department, Norwood There was an amazing sense of connection with other Limmudniks at both the ROI Summit and JPropel and a shared sense of pride at being a part of something
amazing and transformative. It was so great to meet old friends again and to also meet some incredible people from other Limmuds whom I‘d only heard great things about but never met in in person until this summer! ROI Community has arranged a special deal for its ROIers to attend Limmud Conference 2011. To receive a £300 discount off your registration fee, apply now for a Speakers‘ Bureau Micro Grant. **This offer is only available to ROI Community members who have not yet exceeded their ROI Micro Grant allotment for 2011. For more information about eligibility, see the ROI Community website. Limmud Conference will take place December 23-29, 2011 at the University of Warwick, UK. For more information see the Limmud website.
LIMMUD EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD
Limmud France 11 - 13 March www.limoud.org
It has been said in a previous issue of the newsletter, that the French Jewish Community, although being the largest Diaspora community in the world after the US, was kind of ... asleep. Nothing better than the 5th edition of Limmud France, known here as Limoud, can show this is not true anymore. Limoud is actually THE place to find and meet the new Jewish French innovators. Creativity and innovation in Education, Arts, Music, Torah as well as Politics and Interfaith. Well, if you are willing to discover the new French Jewish World, Limmud France is "the place to be!" (according to the very terms of a famous ‗acticipant‘)! [volunticipant]
For a whole weekend 500 acticipants took part in what is described in France as the biggest "Forum de la Vie Juive". From 0 to over 100 years old, from different backgrounds, orientations and tendencies, all of them came to discover and explore the innumerable facets of the rich Jewish life in the famous city of Fontainebleau. This year, the emphasis was put on three original themes: Jews and Rock music; Jews and cinema; and the renewal of the German Jewish community. Beyond that Limoud hosted more than 150 sessions dealing with an incredibly broad selection of topics. From the most unexpected ones like Next year in ... Bombay to the most pioneering ones like Jews of France in 2030, Melodies of the Spanish and
Portuguese Jews, and How to be a Jewish, French and European citizen in the 21st century. Inspired by their English neighbours always proposing to share their very valuable knowledge and experience, the French team of volunteers, growing bigger and bigger, is excited to make the best of Limmud. The next French edition of Limmud already promises to be even greater: most of the acticipants left Limoud saying that next year they will come back with families and friends of them! So, let's be clear: the French Jewish Community has tremendous potential and, thank G-d, Limmud By Ilana Amalzag, Torah Theme Manager (Programming) & Sarah Simha Benkemoun, Fundraising, & Scheduling, Limmud France
LIMMUD INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER 7
LIMMUD EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD
Limmud Buenos Aires 26 June 2011 www.limudkeshet.com.ar On Sunday 26 June we hosted our 4th annual ―Limud Keshet Buenos Aires‖. 650 participants of all ages and affiliations enjoyed a multidisciplinary and cross-communal study day with simultaneous sessions, including workshops, art spaces and debates for all tastes. Some of the sessions that took place were: Noah, who does he think he is? Universal flood as seen from literature / We were so fond of each other: Israel, Zionism and the Left. From love to militant hate / Judaism in women‘s prisons / Isaac‘s sacrifice as seen from three sacred texts: Torah, New Testament and the Koran / and more….
One of Limmud‘s characteristics is that it is led by volunteers who coordinate and sustain the project in its entirety. In Buenos Aires a team of over 50 volunteers of all ages carries the project ahead. Year after year more people join: kids, elderly adults, youth, families; a colourful and diverse rainbow of people who wish to take part in this festival of Judaism in a framework of respect and diversity. ―In my workshop there were more people than I expected and I really enjoyed their participation and interest. Kol Hakavod to all the organizers and participants.‖ Jana Jeifetz
Limmud FSU Hamptons, NY 22-24 July 2011 www.limmudfsu.org A team of 35 Limmud FSU volunteers - veterans and newcomers - spent an intensive three-day retreat, led by Yigal Kotler, chair of Limmud FSU Hamptons NY, Karina Polonskaya, project manager, and Roman Kogan, the chief operating officer of Limmud FSU. Bearing in mind the experiences and lessons learned from the last two Limmud FSU conferences in West Hampton Beach, NY, the team drew up plans for an
extensive program of presentations, artistic performances, workshops and study sessions for 2012. Among topics discussed were, Why be a volunteer?, Making the ideal Limmud, Recruitment and public relations, Next Limmud FSU NY: step by step, etc. There was an equally important focus on teambuilding and after the seminar the team felt energized and inspired to start preparing for the next conference. The next Limmud FSU
Limmud SA Cape Town 26-28 August 2011 www.limmud.org.za We had 550 participants at Limmud South Africa (SA) Cape Town, 80 of whom joined us on Sunday, with the rest staying for the full weekend as residential participants. International presenters flew in from Israel, Stockholm and London whilst team members from Limmud SA Johannesburg also came to support us. 8 LIMMUD INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
This year saw a whole host of innovations, including Café Conversations (small group text learning); dance/dream/art/writing workshops; a number of young adult related sessions; Limmud‘s Got Talent; use of a teen friendly icon in the programming book; and an author‘s forum where they presented their own works.
―I really enjoyed – once again being part of Limmud Buenos Aires. The diversity of topics allowed each person to find activities related to their personal taste. The effort and the dedication of all the organizers was evident. They achieved something very important: a simultaneously serious and enjoyable event. Congratulations and we are looking forward to our next Limmud!‖ Delly Beller By Fernando Rubin, Chairman, & Nestor Markowicz Leading Team, Limud Keshet Buenos Aires
for Russian speakers in New York will take place at the end of March 2012 and for the first time will be a three-day conference. Location and exact dates to be confirmed soon. Chaim Chesler and Sandra Cahn, the co-founders of Limmud FSU, motivated and showed their appreciation to the volunteers for giving their time and effort to the project. ―We were very much impressed by the calibre of the people in our team and the qualities that we found there.‖ By Roman Kogan, Limmud FSU, Chief Operating Officer
Looking forward we now need to focus our marketing attention on including social media to sustain a young participant base and to target our marketing effectively to ensure we get a good mix. We are proud to be able to say that a number of new faces and voices of Jews involved in the broader society but who have not previously been involved Jewishly came, spent the weekend and presented! By Viv Anstey, National Chair, Limmud SA Cape Town
LIMMUD EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD
Limmud SA Johannesburg 19-21 August 2011 www.limmud.org.za Limmud South Africa (SA) Johannesburg held its first residential conference this August. As we mentioned in the previous Limmud International newsletter in the volunteer engagement section, there was great deal of tension as to how Limmud SA Johannesburg would pull off Shabbat at its first residential conference. Limmud Johannesburg has traditionally attracted many Jews who would see themselves as secular and cultural and we had concerns about their civil liberties being affected and that they would feel they were at a "Shabbaton". At the
same time, we had an increased amount of people who came to Limmud SA Johannesburg for the first time who define themselves as "Shabbat observant". The first two sessions started well, the services went off well, but Shabbat dinner would be when everyone would come together.
and all of a sudden the Limmud SA Joburg Shabbat Flash Mob sprung into action and started clapping and singing Shalom Aleichem at their table. They formed a train and moved to the middle where they got the entire audience to join in and kids rushed forward to dance in the middle.
There was an underlying tension. I was apprehensive and anxious. All of a sudden, I saw a group of volunteers wearing black with black sunglasses standing on their chairs with their right finger raised. Daniel Herman, a volunteer and now Co-Chair of our 2012 Conference, shouted ―Shalom!‖
Limmud Joburg's residential had begun with a bang!
Limmud NZ
27-29 August 2011 www.limmud.org.nz Limmud NZ (New Zealand) has just celebrated its second annual conference in Auckland – making it a firm fixture on the Jewish calendar for our small but dedicated community. We had over 300 participants from around the country. With an active Jewish population of around 3,000 people nationwide, this is a great participation rate, making Limmud NZ the biggest community event of the year. A special feature of Limmud NZ is that we involve all segments of the population. As well as six streams of learning for adults and teens, we provide special programmes for children, the local Jewish day school Kadimah, and educators. Our youth groups Habonim and Bnei Akiva also linked in their national seminars with Limmud NZ, giving the event a youthful and energetic vibe. As all Limmudniks know it‘s hard to pick highlights because it‘s ―each to their own‖ and all that…but as I‘m writing this article I can give you mine! We were extremely privileged to have Maureen
Kendler, Joel Grishaver and Anat Hoffman with us - three longstanding and incredibly popular presenters over many years at the UK‘s Limmud Conference and elsewhere. As well as being fabulous speakers, they were also all lovely people who really wanted to share their knowledge to make the conference a great experience for everyone – a real bonus for us newbies! Other highlights were our first Limmud NZ Shabbat programme – a wonderful shared experience; having four Rabbis under the same roof (and giving a joint session in one case); a fire eater to celebrate Havdallah and finding the hidden gems in our own local community (who knew?) and (after a slight panic the previous week) having so many people pitch in to volunteer over the weekend. As well as Shabbat Limmud, other innovations this year were interspersing cultural sessions including films and an art exhibition into our programme. This and our ―Limmud Lounge‖ hang-out space were really well received. Although there was a
By Wayne Sussman, National Chair, Limmud SA Johannesburg
real eagerness for some serious learning, sometimes we all needed something a bit lighter to get through the long days. The main challenge is the one a small community always faces – the huge task of planning and running Limmud NZ falls on very few (and quite narrow) shoulders. Our key challenge is to spread the load so the Steering Group doesn‘t burn out and go up in flames – at least not before Limmud NZ 2012. I leave the last words to our participants: ―Thank you so much for an exciting opportunity to listen, learn and talk about the huge spectrum of things Jewish. I appreciate it is a huge task to organize and run such an event. I am very grateful that this wealth of riches was made available to us.‖ ―It is truly humbling to see the quality and depth of our local speakers. It is too easy to take our friends and neighbours for granted and Limmud seemed to bring out the best in people to give their all. Thank you to all the local speakers.― By Tanya Thomson, Limmud NZ 2011 Steering Group LIMMUD INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER 9
LIMMUD EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD
Limmud Atlanta+SE 2-5 September 2011 www.limmudse.org. "Mommy, I love Camp Limmud more than anything in the WHOLE world (except for you)" -- Joey Rabkin
the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival and the Atlanta Jewish Gene Screen collaborated on a "Jam and Juice" cocktail and music session.
Nearly 300 Limmudniks gathered in the north Georgia Mountains for the third Atlanta+SE LimmudFest weekend. Attendance was up by 38% and 8 different southeastern US states were well represented.
Twelve Limmudniks took advantage of our first camping option and pitched their tents on the grounds of Camp Ramah Darom. Taking advantage of our wonderful natural resources, we added boating, fishing, a bike trip, and expanded access to the climbing wall to our program. Moonlight hikes to the waterfall and a huge havdallah bonfire and drum circle are now firmly established Limmud Atlanta+SE traditions.
We are very proud of our musical talent – both homegrown and imported. Limmud Atlanta+SE‘s sponsorship of the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival has led us to discover new artists like Sun Moon Pie and singersongwriter Ariel Root Wolpe. A partnership with the Israeli Consulate of the Southeast brought us Israeli hip-hop artist Onili and
Camp Limmud enrolled more kids than ever, expanding its programming to include a PJ Library party, Tot Shabbat services
high up in a tree house, Camp Limmud Kids Chorus and an early Family Shabbat dinner option. Representatives from 9 North American Limmuds shared best practices and common challenges under the leadership of Limmud International. Staying on for LimmudFest training sessions continued, connecting theory and practice as the weekend unfolded. Southern hospitality oozed like honey. There were many sessions on Southern Jewish life and lore, including a screening of the film Shalom Y‘all. Southern food ways were celebrated at mealtimes with fried chicken, black eyed peas and sweet tea on the menu. Participation from the observant community was way up and mealtimes rocked with rousing z‘mirot and lots of l‘chaims. By Nina Rubin, Limmud Atlanta+SE, Board member
Limmud FSU St Petersburg
Israel; musical master-classes and study groups (Batei Midrash).
About 400 people gathered in a modest hotel nestled in a verdant forest on the outskirts of St. Petersburg. The festival started in Pushkin, a small town on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, at a memorial service commemorating the start of the 900-day siege of St. Petersburg (then called Leningrad) by the Nazis 70 years ago.
Matthew Bronfman, Chairman of the Limmud FSU International Steering Committee said, "For me, Limmud is the most important expression of the desire to deepen and strengthen a sense of belonging and solidarity among Jews around the world. It is the ultimate exchange of knowledge and experience in an atmosphere of Jewish wisdom, respect, humor and tolerance."
9-11 September 2011 www.limmudfsu.org
Registration for Limmud FSU in St Petersburg (the first of its kind held in the city which has the second biggest Jewish community in Russia) was closed two weeks after the opening – and the organisers had to turn 150 people away.
10 LIMMUD INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER
―Russian Jews often know a lot more about Israel than their American counterparts,‖ said Steve Schwager, Executive Vice-President of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. ―Limmud is precisely what the Jewish adults in the Former Soviet Union need—a supportive framework that will take them wherever they wish to go on their new Jewish journey and help them explore the rich world of their heritage.‖ Fifty sessions, lectures, workshops, master-classes, film screenings, theatre shows and round-table discussions on various topics were held during the festival - from issues of Judaism and Jewish history to secrets of Israeli cuisine; an overview of the Middle East conflict; reading poems of the Nobel laureate for literature, Joseph Brodsky; a discussion on the current socio-economic situa-
―Our excellent team of volunteers, together with Jenya Nemirovsky – the Project Manager and Roman Kogan – the Limmud FSU COO, managed to mount a great Limmud this year. We will have an even bigger festival here next year,‖ said Chaim Chesler and Sandra Cahn, co-chairs of Limmud FSU. By Roman Kogan, Limmud FSU, Chief Operating Officer
LIMMUD IN THE MEDIA
Selected edited extracts of news articles and blogs about Limmud Full articles can be found at Limmud International‘s ‗In the Media‘ page and at the links below
COMMUNITY RALLIES TO HELP
By Jessica Elgot, The JC.com, 11 August 2011 http://jewi.sh/zsf3 ―The Chief Rabbi and community leaders have spoken of their shock after the three days of rioting this week but praised community efforts to help rebuild the cities.‖... ―Raymond Simonson, executive director of Limmud, said: "People live in flats above shops that have been set on fire, so their homes have been badly or permanently damaged. We found out Haringey Council needed bedding, clothes and toys. We asked people to give donations to the Limmud office and we drove a couple of car loads over." RSY-Netzer have donated spare t-shirts and sweatshirts to the Limmud campaign.
LIMMUD IS A MITZVAH
By Punktorah, punktorah.org, 6 September 2011 http://jewi.sh/zsf4 ―Last weekend, I had the pleasure of filming The G-d Project and hosting two learning sessions as Limmudfest Atlanta + Southeast, a weekend-long retreat that brings together Jewish folks from around the country (primarily the South) at Camp Ramah Darom for learning, celebration, friendship and outdoor fun. Diverse types of people including LGBT activists, comics, young families, seniors, filmmakers and musicians, Jewish non-profit executives and business people, hippies and non-Jewish family are included in this camp havurah. It was this sense of diversity that really impacted me the most. From the Chabad rabbi kashering the camp kitchen to the tai chi teacher, everyone had their place at Limmud. Including me.‖
LIMMUD BRINGS YOUNG FSU JEWS CLOSER TO ISRAEL
...―Torah gives us the opportunity, no matter where we are in life, to come home to the heart of the Jewish experience. And the staff and volunteers of Limmud are doing that exact same thing. Limmudfest therefore, is a living Torah value. Yasher koach to those who have brought this experience to the world and may it be God‘s will that there be a Limmudfest in every town, on every weekend, forever and all time. Y‘hi ratzon.‖
By Gil Shefler, jpost.com, 11 September 2011 http://jewi.sh/zshw
PEOPLE POWER NEEDS PEOPLE
―Mr Simonson added: "We want to show people that London is not made up just of those who break things, but those who try and repair a damaged world – tikkun olam in a pure sense."
ST. PETERSBURG – ―The combination of the words ―Jewish‖ and ―education‖ is likely to send more than one young Jew running for the hills. But over the past decade or so the global Limmud network has managed to bring many thousands of young participants around the world to its conferences touching on Jewish themes and issues. ...―I met my girlfriend at a Limmud conference in Moscow,‖ said Michael Kapitsky, a 24-year-old who works as an interpreter at a think tank in St. Petersburg. ―Now I came here to this Limmud with her as a volunteer.‖ At a panel on the subject of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, gatherers displayed an impressive knowledge of the region.‖
LIMMUD BRINGS UNIQUE LEADERSHIP TRAINING OPPORTUNITY TO ACTIVISTS ACROSS THE USA By Dani Serlin, ejewishphilanthropy.com, 18 September 2011 http://jewi.sh/zshy ―Demonstrating the depth and geographical spread of the grass-roots cross-communal concept of Limmud transported from the UK, Limmudniks involved in this volunteer development seminar came from North American Limmud communities from far and wide, including Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, Limmud FSU Hamptons, and Winnipeg amongst others.‖
By Keith Kahn Harris, The JC.com, 4 July 2011 http://jewi.sh/zsf5 ―Organisations that aspire to create a grassroots movement should, at the very least, be clear to themselves and others what it is they really want. Largely, it is a kind of "managed" movement that leaders desire - and this is not an illegitimate aim - but in such cases unwarranted claims about people power should not be made. In any event, the most far-reaching grassroots movements tend to be those that develop slowly, without shrill, public campaigning. Limmud is the prime example of this. For over 30 years, the organisation has built up a radical challenge to the anti-intellectualism and communal divisions that have bedevilled the UK Jewish community. Limmud has done this by developing a substantial, constantly self-renewing community of volunteers people who are prepared to work hard in the background to create a welcoming and dynamic Jewish space. Limmud is now big enough, and its roots deep enough, that not only is its future existence guaranteed, it has created change across the community. Can we say the same about those grassroots protests and movements that are so much in the news today? Ultimately, people power can only be truly established through hard work, time and a refusal to go for easy headlines.‖ LIMMUD INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER 11
Calendar of upcoming events— OCTOBER 2011
30 Oct -1 Nov 31Oct - 2 Nov
Limmud Hungary – www.limmud.hu Limmud FSU Odessa – www.limmudfsu.org
NOVEMBER 2011
4-6 6 19 - 20 20 25 - 27 27
Limmud Keshet Poland – www.limud.pl Cambridge Day Limmud - www.limmud.org/day/cambridge Limmud Stockholm – www.limmud.se Limmud Turkey – www.limmudtr.org Limmud Oz Fest Melbourne – www.limmudozfest.com Limmud Day Berlin - www.limmud.de
DECEMBER 2011
4 5 21/22 23/25 - 29
LimmudBoston – www.limmudboston.org Limmud Day Hamburg - www.limmud.de Limmud Galil - www.limmudgalil.com Limmud Conference (in the UK) – www.limmud.org
JANUARY 2012
13 - 16 21/22
Limmud NY – www.limmundny.org Limmud Colorado - www.limmudcolorado.org
FEBRUARY 2012
17– 19 19/20 19 23/24
LimmudLA– www.limmudla.org Limmud Bay Area – www.limmudba.org Limmud Chicago – www.limmudchicago.org Limmud Arava - http://limmud.arava.gonegev.co.il
MARCH 2012
10/11 18 18
Limmud NOLA – www.limmudfestnola.org Liverpool Day Limmud – www.limmud.org/day/liverpool Limmud Winnipeg – www.jewishwinnipeg.org/page.aspx?id=225687
TO SEE THE MOST UPDATED CALENDAR OF LIMMUD EVENTS AROUND THE GLOBE VISIT http://tinyurl.com/6eqfehf
Limmud International News:
The Limmud International family wishes long life to Noa Hundert, former Limmud International Project Coordinator, on the sudden passing of her father on Kol Nidre.
As the voice of our Limmud International community, we would like to spread the news of significant life events for people in our group. If a Limmud activist in your local community experiences a special life event you‟d like to share, please send your news to the Limmud Office by emailing: dani@limmud.org
Limmud International 1A Hall Street, London N12 8DB, UK +44 (0)20 3115 1620 skype 1 2 L I Mlimmud.international MUD INTERNATIONAL international@limmud.org
Limmud International acknowledges the generous support of individuals and Jewish foundations and organisations, including: Rothschild Foundation (Hanadiv) Europe, the L.A. Pincus Fund for Jewish Education for the Diaspora, Pears Foundation, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation and the JDC NEWSLETTER