Limmud

Limmud

Limmud logo
Founded	1980
Type	Jewish educational charity, no. 1083414
Location	London, United Kingdom
Website	http://www.limmud.org

Limmud is a British-Jewish educational charity which produces a large annual winter conference and several other events around the year on the theme of Jewish learning. Limmud is not affiliated to any strand of Judaism and markets itself as open to "anyone interested in Jewish learning".

Limmud (from the Hebrew word meaning "to learn")was originally a conference for "educators", basing itself on CAJE, the Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education of North America, formed in 1976. From CAJE, it took a volunteer ethos, not paying presenters, and not using titles. During the 1990s there was the significant change as Limmud reinvented itself as a community gathering, giving rise to a significant increase in the number of attendees and leading it to be described as "a youth camp for all ages", "a Jewish Community Centre without walls", "British Jewry's greatest export". One thing that sets Limmud apart from other similar organisations is that the events are organised by volunteers who participate as equals in the conference.

Today around the Jewish world there are thousands of volunteers creating Limmud conferences. Limmud's largest group of volunteers are in their 20s and 30s, making it unique in the Jewish world where leadership and power are rarely invested in this age-group and hence they are rarely involved.

Around half of the UK "Forty under 40" (a community-wide initiative to identify the future leaders of British Jewry published by The Jewish News) have volunteered for Limmud and a former Chair of Limmud, Elliott Goldstein, topped the list.

History of Limmud (1980–2010)

First period (1980–1989)

Following a visit sponsored by the World Jewish Congress to CAJE, Limmud was co-founded in Britain by Clive Lawton, Alistair Falk, Michael May and the late Rabbi Michael Rosen In its first decade, Alistair Falk played the core role in the development of the organisation with figures such as Steve Miller, Tina Elliott and Alan Wilkinson. During this period Limmud was a conference for "educators". Funding bodies were concerned by the number of full-time educators present. After initial growth, numbers at the annual conference stayed between 150 and 250.

Second period (1989–1997)

The second decade was dominated by first challenges to the base funding, then challenges to the organisation's existence, before Limmud was able to turn these into the foundations of its future success. A key moment took place in Brighton in 1990 after Alistair Falk stood down as Chair and the committee faced an uncertain future. None of the committee felt equipped to take on the leadership though a group of committed Limmudniks filled the vacuum as Andrew Gilbert was convinced to become the Chair (a position he was to hold for the following seven years). In the first period the critical support came from regular attendees including David & Stephanie Hilton, Jonathan Gorsky, Brian Harris, Neil Turner Nash, Judy Trotter, Laurie Rosenberg, Maureen Kendler and Sonia Sondhelm. Then came the people crisis as the Conservative Minister of Education introduced training days for professional educators greatly reducing the availability of teachers to construct the programme. The vacuum was initially filled by younger dynamic people who were graduates of youth and student movements such as Simon Klarfeld, Joel Levy, Gideon Sylvester and Rob Rabinowitz. By 1994 this had become more of a flood led by Natan Tiefenbrun as large groups of UJS and youth movement activists became central to the leadership of Limmud. In 1992 a vision had been established for a 5-year plan towards a conference of 500 people with Debbie Friedman, Rabbi Yitz and Blu Greenberg and Avraham Infeld as well as extended home lead presenters. This was achieved in 1994 as the UK Conference hit 500 with those guests. Limmud's UK Conference continues to take place annually at Universities around the UK between Christmas and New Year now achieving a gathering of nearly 2,500 Jews, about 1% of British Jewry.

Third period (1997–2005)

During the 1990s and the first decade of the 21st century the volunteers continued to come forward to lead Limmud Conference and develop new initiatives such as Limmud Fest (a summer more outdoor version). In 1997 Natan Tiefenbrun and Judy Trotter became the co-chairs of Limmud and Clive Lawton (one of the founders who had also been Headteacher of the King David School Liverpool and Director of Jewish Continuity) became part-time (about a day per week) Executive Director. Natan Tiefenbrun had been the National Secretary of the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) and Judy Trotter had been involved in Limmud for many years often running a commercial bookstall. Limmud continued to expand under their leadership though there was a great need for consolidation which was taken on board by their successors, Claire Strauss and Claire Mandel. Even though the conference was growing more slowly the events during the year continued to grow with first a Summer family camp backed by the Pincus Foundation, which became Limmud Fest. The day events calendar also grew from one or two events in earlier years to 4 or 5 events with some groups working on regular biennial cycles. During this third stage most international activity was embryonic and handled reactively by the Limmud Office.

Fourth period (2005–2009)

One figure dominates the fourth stage of Limmud as Limmud grew from being a major part of British Jewry to a major part of world Jewry. Elliott Goldstein grew up in Northwood and went to Merchant Taylors School. He went on the Machon Madrichei Chutz L'aretz programme for AJ6 (the now defunct Association of Jewish Sixth Formers) where he became heavily involved with the UJIA's programmes in the Northern Galil (Britain's connection to Partnership 2000). On return to Britain in September 2000 where he studied Geography at Oxford University, he volunteered to become a madrich on the youth programme for Limmud's upcoming conference. Within two years, he was the Programme Chair of conference and then an exec member of Limmud, before becoming Chair of Limmud at the age of 25 in December 2005. Elliott built new partnerships and strengthened the base of Limmud in the UK. Together with Andrew Gilbert, who he appointed as Chair of Limmud International they harnessed the international Jewish community behind Limmud and rode a wave of interest that saw Limmud expand internationally from 6 groups to 45 groups worldwide during this period. The period culminated with the handing over of Limmud in the UK to Carolyn Bogush (who had been involved in Limmud for over 10 years and who had chaired the Conference and who is married to Gideon Smith, who has also been an executive member of Limmud and was Programme chair of Limmud in 1995 when Natan Tiefenbrun chaired Conference). Limmud International was also handed over to new co-chairs Helena Miller (who works as research director of the UK and who has been involved with Limmud since the first stage and whose husband Steve was one of the leaders of Limmud during the first stage) and to Uri Berkowitz (who had chaired Limmud Conference and been on the executive). Limmud International also added strength to its leadership with the appointment of Avraham Infeld as its Roving ambassador. Avraham Infeld had been Executive Director of Melitz, Hillel International, Birthright, Israel Experience and is one of the leading names in world Jewish informal education. Avraham is doing this in addition to his role with Nadav Foundation (see Ynet News)

Volunteers/professionals

Whilst Limmud constantly struggles with keeping everything done by volunteers and allowing some professional back-up to allow volunteers to be more effective. In the early days volunteers were heavily involved in catering and even in avoiding using printers for handbooks, however with so many volunteers Limmud has moved towards a small back room team. Its first professional appointment in 1998 was of Clive Lawton as part-time Executive Director, who gradually became backed by a full-time administrator. In 2006 Limmud recruited its first full-time Executive Director, Raymond Simonson, former Director of UJIA Makor: The Centre for Informal Jewish Education. When Simonson became Chief Executive of London's Jewish Community Centre, is the organization's flagship event. The event, which was inspired by the CAJE conference in the United States [1], attracts more than 2,000 participants annually. A typical day at Limmud Conference includes around 200 sessions spanning religious, cultural and political aspects of Jewish life. An example of the conference can be seen online at Limmud Conference Programme by Session and Presenter 2009. After the first conferences at Carmel College, Oxfordshire, Limmud Conference has been held at Portsmouth Polytechnic (1984), Oxford Brookes University (1986–1994), Worcester (1995–96), Manchester (1997), Nottingham (1998–2005) and Warwick (2007–2013).

Limmud in the Woods

Limmud in the Woods (formerly known as LimmudFest) is held in the last week of August. Limmud's summer event, it is promoted as "the UK Jewish community's answer to Glastonbury". It is mainly under canvas, has a less intense programme centred around Shabbat and is more cultural and outdoors than its winter sibling. It is attended by about 200-250 young adults and young families.

Regional Day Limmud events

Regional Day Limmud Events: The first Day Limmud was in Sheffield in the early 1980s, followed by Leeds in the mid-1990s. Today there is a biennial cycle of over 12 centres which hold Limmud day events.

Other Limmud events in UK

Other events run by Limmud in the UK either on their own or in partnership with others include music events and the Florence Melton mini-school.

Limmuds around the world

The Limmud model has now spread to many other countries. Each group produces unique conferences and festivals of Jewish learning and culture while adhering to Limmud's core values of volunteerism, diversity, cross-communalism and open learning. Each new Limmud event aims to reflect the diversity of its community by creating an accessible cross-communal and cross-generational experience.

Limmud in North America

Limmud arrived in New York in 2005. Limmud events have also been held in Los Angeles, Colorado and Atlanta (2008), Philadelphia (2009), New Orleans, Chicago and Boston (2010) and in Canada (Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg & Montreal).

Limmud Toronto

After years of planning by local volunteers, Limmud Toronto was first held on 21 November 2004 at York University. Over 400 participants enjoyed close to 50 sessions, including a Young Limmud program for children aged 5 to 12. Three years later on 2 December 2007, Limmud Toronto was held at the University of Toronto. Despite coinciding with the first major snowfall of the year, the conference drew nearly 500 enthusiastic, however late, participants. Limmud Toronto had its third conference, again at the University of Toronto, on 15 February 2009.

Limmud in Israel

Limmud in the Galil started through the connection between the British Jewish community and its Partnership 2000 community in the Northern Galil. The first conference was held in 2001. Limmud FSU (for Russian speakers) held in first conference in Ashkelon in 2007, followed by conferences in Jerusalem starting in 2008. Limmud Arava, commencing in 2009, was based on the Galil P2k model and came from the Australian P2k link. Limmud Negev and Limmud Modiin, starting in 2009 and 2010, have been developed in conjunction with Melitz and the local communities.

Limmud Modiin held its first event in June 2010. Limmud Jerusalem held an event on 10 May 2012.

Limmud in Asia and Oceania

Limmud's first event in China, planned by members of theBeijing and Shanghai Jewish communities, was held in 2012.

Limmud events have been held in Australia (Sydney and Melbourne), Hong Kong and New Zealand.

Limmud Oz

A delegation from Sydney, Australia came to Limmud's conference in 1996. This led to a Limmud Oz group being formed which launched its first activity in 1999 in Sydney. Later they went into an alternative years format with a biennial gathering in Melbourne. Through a joint venture with Partnership 2000 and Keren Hayesod Australia they have been the impetus for the launch in 2009 of the Limmud Arava programme which replicates the UK relationship with the Northern Galil.

In June 2012, Limmud Oz announced that the following pro-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions groups would not be allowed to participate: "Vivienne Porzsolt, a spokeswoman for Jews Against the Occupation, who was detained in Israel last year en route to the flotilla to Gaza; Avigail Abarbanel, the editor of Beyond Tribal Loyalties, who renounced her Israeli citizenship in 2001; and Peter Slezak, a co-founder of the far-left advocacy group Independent Australian Jewish Voices." In addition, they are allowing "the president of the Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network, a representative of the Islamic Council of Victoria and a Palestinian academic."

Limmud in Western Europe

France: Limmud France (Limoud) has held an annual gathering in Paris each November and smaller day events in Lyon and in Paris.

Germany: Sophie Mahlo, Toby Axelrod and others have organized annual multi-day Limmud festivals since 2008 near Berlin, and they are now helping local teams run one-day events in other cities, including Munich, Cologne/NRW and Frankfurt.

Netherlands: There had been growing numbers coming from Holland to the Limmud conference in the UK such that in 1998 they decided they wished to have a day event in Amsterdam. This was run with the help of the Jewish Welfare Board and was hosted for a number of years. As of the period from 2007 on, it was run strictly as a volunteer-run event. In 2010, Limmoed NL ran from Sunday evening to Monday during a holiday-weekend.

Sweden: Educators from the Hillel school in Stockholm have been coming since the 1980s to Limmud. Rabbi Morton Narrowe, then Chief Rabbi of Stockholm, led a larger group in the early 1990s. In 1994 the community dovetailed a tour with Debbie Friedman and the Kelmans with Limmud in the UK. However it was not until 2008 that Limmud Stockholm launched its first activity.

In Lund, a University town in Southern Sweden, a Limmud Lund launched its first activity in March 2012 ("LundaLimmud").

Switzerland: As they decided to pay presenters, they ran a Limmud inspired activity called Yom Iyun in Basle and in more recent years in Zurich.

Limmud in Central Europe and the former Soviet Union

Chaim Chesler, former Treasurer of the Jewish Agency, and long time Soviet Jewry activist, attended Limmud in the UK and believed that Limmud could make an impact on countries in the former Soviet Union. Together with Co-Chair Sandy Cahn, a leader of the New York Jewish community, they have created a cadre of volunteers who have created major Limmud activities for young Russians in several cities including gatherings in Moscow (2005 & 2010), Ukraine (2007, 2009 & 2010), Israel (2007 & 2010), Birobidzhan (2009), New York (2009 & 2010), and New Jersey (2012 & 2013).

In 2002 Andres Spokoiny, then JDC Baltics Director, who had been to Limmud as a youth worker in 1992, organised a Limmud in the Baltics conference in Vilnius, which and gathered over 1000 people from a Jewish community in the Baltic states( Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) of less than 20,000.

There are now Limmud groups in Hungary, Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania (Bucharest, Timoasara & Iasi), former Yugoslavia (Serbia/Croatia), Russia (Moscow, Birobdijan) and Ukraine (Yalta, Lviv and Odessa).

In 2012 more than 400 young Jews from Moldova and the southern region of Ukraine came together in the city of Chisinau, for the first Limmud FSU (former Soviet Union) conference in Moldova.

Limmud Turkey

Limmud started in Turkey in 2005 with the introduction of the project by Lina Filiba from the Turkish Jewish Community and with the leadership of Gina Alkash and Tony Hananel working together with an active volunteer steering committee as well as a group of young adult volunteers from the Jewish Community in Istanbul. Regularly attracting over 1100 people to their activities, Limmud Turkey takes place once a year in autumn.

Limmud in South America

There are now Limmud groups in Brazil and Argentina.

Limmud South Africa

Main article: Limmud South Africa

Limmud events have ben held in South Africa (Johannesburg, Cape Town & Durban).

Relationships with Orthodoxy in Britain

Limmud has been seen as controversial by parts of the right wing of Centrist Orthodoxy. The former London Beth Din's Head Dayan (Judge,) Hannoch Ehrentreu, advised Orthodox Rabbis not to attend Limmud Conference. Some Orthodox Figures such as Rabbi Yossi Chazan of Manchester and Organisations such as the Rabbinic Council of the Provinces and the London and Manchester and Federation Beth Dins (Rabbinic Courts.) have rejected attendance at Limmud Conference. However as rabbis continue to attend it seems that this is not the only factor influencing United synagogue rabbis.

Orthodox rabbis represent a wide spectrum. Despite the controversy, well known Rabbis have chosen to attend Limmud events across the UK, and there has not been a single major Limmud event – Regional Day Limmuds, Conference or Fest – in recent years that has not had at least one or more Orthodox rabbis amongst the presenters. From the UK many United Synagogue pulpit rabbis have attended Limmud. In December 2010 Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet of Mill Hill United Synagogue, who had been seen as a notable absentee and critic of Limmud, attended, participated in and taught at Limmud's 30th annual Conference. Following this he wrote on the synagogue's website: "upon return all I could ask myself was, 'where was I until now?'"

Many Presidents of the United Synagogue have also been seen at Limmud events including Sidney Frosh (Limmud Conference 1997), Seymour G. Saideman (Limmud Lay Leadership Days 1995 and 1996), Elkan Levy and most recently Dr Simon Hochhauser. Jonathan Sacks did not attended Limmud whilst being Chief Rabbi but attended when he was the head of Jews College. He last attended in 1987 when he spent shabbat at Limmud and gave a shiur on Soloveitchik's HaKnesset Israel. Chief Rabbi Sacks when looking back on his rabbinate considers Limmud to be one of the great successes of his time.

Controversy erupted again in late 2013 when newly elected Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis announced his decision to attend. Subsequently, a public notice signed by seven leading Orthodox rabbis including Dayan Chanoch Ehrentreu and Rabbi Avrohom Gurwicz, was published in the Jewish Tribune which attacked pluralism and urged "God-fearing Jews" not to participate in Limmud. This sparked condemnation by non-Charedi communal leaders, with Jewish Leadership Council chairman Mick Davis, Board of Deputies president Vivian Wineman and United Synagogue president Stephen Pack, writing to the Jewish Chronicle saying that the statement showed "a shocking failure of leadership." The Jewish Chronicle itself described the statement as "crass, ill-judged and ultimately self-defeating."

External links

• Limmud (UK parent organisation)