We did it! More than 600 people attended the very first Limmud Atlanta + Southeast at Oglethorpe University on Saturday and Sunday. As one of the organizers of this mammoth project, nine months in the making, I'm proud, exhausted and excited that the inaugural Limmud touched so many people so positively.
Limmud (lee-MOOD, from the Hebrew word to study) started in the U.K. 28 years ago as British Jewry's response to the omnipresence of Christmas. It is now an international movement happening in Europe, Israel, Turkey, Russia, Australia, New York, L.A., and now Atlanta. The original organizers envisioned a study retreat that happens on an empty college campus for 4-5 days during the Christmas holiday. Limmud offers learning sessions, performances and workshops from dawn to the wee hours. It's a dizzying experience to attend Limmud in the U.K., as I have, two times. You truly have to pace yourself for the hundreds of fascinating events that unfold.
More times than not, the social experience at Limmud eclipses the learning. Limmud is a friendly, informal and egalitarian environment where everyone's badge simply bears their name and hometown. There are no titles, no grandstanding, no hierarchy. The diversity is amazing: under-20's, 30-somethings, and octogenarians study together. Orthodox, Conservative, Secular, atheist Jews and just about anybody who identifies with the tradition is drawn to Limmud. Nobody gets paid to teach or perform. It's not intimidating. The spirit is learning for its own sake.
Our southern fried Limmud had its own special feeling. We did it on a shoestring. We did it without the Jewish Federation. We did it with heart and soul, and we will be back next year even bigger and better.
Congratulations on the well deserved success of Limmud. I am certain that you have contributed to the future growth of the Atlanta Jewish community.
Way to go!!
Posted by: chailife atlanta | March 04, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Limmud Atlanta was an awesome experience! Volunteer if you can. I did, and it was most rewarding to feel so involved. Also wonderful was that there were so many varied study, learning, and entertainment opportunities and so many interesting people with whom to interact. The opening evening's performance put everyone in the relaxed frame of mind for Sunday's learning sessions. Having attended CAJE conventions in the past, I can say Limmud had some of the best elements, and I enjoyed Limmud even more, as it was not only for educators. It was great being on Oglethorpe's Campus, too. Thanks for a great experience. Let's do it again!
Posted by: avalon410 | March 16, 2008 at 05:08 PM