Limmud’s promise to you is both simple and hopeful: Wherever you find yourself, Limmud will take you one step further on your Jewish journey.
Limmud (from the Hebrew word meaning “to learn”) was originally a conference for educators in Great Britain. During the 1990s there was a significant change as Limmud reinvented itself as a community gathering, opening its reach to include the greater Jewish population. It adopted a volunteer ethos, not paying presenters and not using titles. The Limmud model quickly spread to many other countries.
Now for the first time, the greater Phoenix area will have an opportunity to experience Limmud. Thanks to the foresight, energy and hard work of three local women, Sandy Adler, Suzanne Swift and Rabbi Elana Kanter, Limmud is being presented for a full day on Feb. 8 at the Arizona State University main campus in Tempe. Registration begins at 8:15 am, with programs scheduled from 9 am to 5 pm.
The day literally will include something for everyone. From talks on Jewish cowboys to Israeli wines to Talmudic ethics, more than 40 sessions will be presented. “We have an amazing array of offerings,” says Sandy. “Our objective is to bring together Jews from all over the spectrum of Judaism for a day of community and learning. Some presenters are coming from other parts of the country, others are local. No one receives a stipend, though we can help with airfare and housing costs.”
The program is for all ages as well. Babysitting and children’s activities are offered at Camp Limmud for the nominal fee of $15, which includes lunch. Teens are invited to actively participate in the sessions, and there will be a session presented by the teen board of B’nai Tzedek, the teen philanthropy group. The consummate volunteer, Sandy founded the Book Fair at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center and has also served on the board of the JCC.
“I’m a strong cultural Jew,” Sandy says. “I’m deeply entrenched in and fascinated by the culture and history of Judaism. Rabbi Elana of course has the text-based knowledge, and Suzanne has both a religious and community background. It’s a good team!” They have gathered a strong committee to help with areas of hospitality, marketing, programming and the overall logistics.
“Ilene Singer from the ASU Jewish Studies Department has been a huge help with logistics, which in and of themselves are daunting,” says Sandy. For example, special free parking areas have been designated near the Memorial Union Building where the conference and child care will take place. Rabbi Elana adds, “Because Limmud is an entirely volunteer- run effort, this conference is truly ‘of the community, by the community and for the community.’ … Limmud invites Jews of all backgrounds to learn side-by-side. We have teachers from Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, Reconstructionist, Humanist and secular streams of Judaism, reflecting the diversity of the Limmud leadership team, as well as community participants. Limmud has been a game-changer in communities across the country and around the world, and I believe it will be one in ours, too.”
With support from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Phoenix, the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix and the Jewish Studies Department at ASU, as well as some personal contributions, the entire day is being offered for the low fee of $36, which includes a kosher lunch and snacks. Limmud is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation under the auspices of the Women’s Jewish Learning Center and is actively seeking donors to the program. Since it is a volunteer-run organization, 100% of donations are directly applied to the programming and scholarships.
In addition, Limmud is offering a free table and listing on its website to any congregation or organization that promotes the day to its members. For further information and to sign up, visit limmudaz.org.
