David, could you start by explaining (briefly!) the enormous growth of Limmud world-wide in the past 7 years? Limmud, for those who don’t know, is an organisation which runs Jewish educational events. These are cross-communal and non-denominational – we tend to use this word rather than pluralist to avoid giving an impression that Limmud has a position on religious issues which blurs distinctions – Limmud very expressly has no position on religious or political issues, but seeks to provide a platform and a comfortable environment for all Jews, of whatever religious outlook (or none). Our events are also intended to appeal to everyone – of all ages, backgrounds and levels of interest. All of our events are primarily run by volunteers, with some limited professional support, and so – we hope – generate a very high level of empowerment amongst those taking part. In that sense, we hope that each Limmud event is a community of learning. Limmud started in the UK with an annual conference in 1980. The model of a Limmud event was picked up by a few groups around the world. In order to support this developing trend, as the first few groups became established, Limmud, the founder organisation based in the UK, set up a distinct Limmud International team, which supports these groups around the world, both assisting established groups and supporting new groups who want to set up new events, as well as creating regional and international links between groups. Limmud now has over 65 communities around the world (80 including the various groups across the UK) in 38 countries on 6 continents. In 2013, more than 25,000 people participated in 54 Limmud events (plus other smaller events) which were created by some 3,000 volunteers. Why do you think Limmud has been so successful world-wide? The model of a non-denominational event which is open to all is very attractive in today’s world for intelligent Jews who are tired of communal squabbling. Having all events largely run by volunteers allows those who are interested to get involved easily – Limmud events can be whatever the team running them want them to be so different events can take different tacks with their programme depending on the interests of the team. And that is very rewarding. And because Limmud events are run primarily by a team of local volunteers, the Limmud concept is able to adapt itself easily to local sensitivities and needs. How many Limmudniks attend Limmud events outside their own country? Do you think this points to a break down of national barriers? What is the attraction of attending Limmud events elsewhere? Is there an “added value”, that is greater than merely being a tourist in another country? I think Limmud events are a context in which it is easy to meet people from other countries and communities. Something like Limmud Conference in the UK, which this year has over 2,500, is obviously a draw to engaged Jews from around the world, and not limited to those already involved in a Limmud group in their own community. As a visitor to a Limmud event elsewhere, one also gets the benefit of the education on offer, often from local educators who may be of a very high quality, but don’t have an international reputation and so have not, or not yet, been brought to one’s own community as an educator. What do you think that Limmud has contributed to the Peoplehood conversation? I think one of the key contributions is that Peoplehood is a non-denominational idea. Limmud has demonstrated clearly that there is a place for non-denominational events which can attract thousands of people. This in turn supports moves away from any one denomination having any sensible claim to legitimacy as the arbiter of what is Jewish and who is a Jew. It makes those who make such claims seem increasingly isolated from the Jewish mainstream. Limmud has also inspired many volunteers who have helped with Limmud to go on to create other Jewish events and communities – whether religious or cultural – greatly expanding the model of how being Jewish can manifest itself. This is probably most obvious in London, England, where Limmud has had the most impact as it has been going longest and so is most established, where many of those involved in an increasingly thriving Jewish educational and cultural scene have been Limmud volunteers. Do you come across themes of engagement in different parts of the world eg are Israeli Limmudniks more interested in social action? Are European Limmudniks more culturally Jewish than UK Limmudniks? My own experience is that the issues which arise in different parts of the world are more about the place of an event like Limmud in the local community. In Israel, the main issue is what does live in the box marked ‘Jewish education’ – there is a common (mis)perception that ‘Limmud’ means text learning, and so is connected with religious Orthodoxy or a yeshiva-style education. Thus, the challenge of Limmud groups is engaging uninterested or secular Israelis in something which is Jewish without being heavy learning. By contrast, Eastern European and Russian Jews are still very much struggling with the legacy of the Communist era. This manifests itself most obviously on issues around observing Shabbat and Kashrut at events. These have to address for example the practical issues of keeping Kashrut in some communities where this may be relatively uncommon. I think however the most abiding theme of engagement is that often a Limmud event or group serves to demonstrate to a not-very-engaged community that Jewish life can be more vibrant than members of the community expect – and this is very much something that can apply anywhere in the world, depending entirely on the nature of the community, rather than its location. UK was the starting point and focus for Limmud? If you project forward 20 years, do you see that focus changing? Maybe to Israel or the States, where there are multiple Limmud events? Or not? There is certainly interest between a number of American Limmud groups in greater cooperation, especially now that there are quite a few which are well-established. I can certainly imagine that within ten years we may see a national American Limmud event every couple of years, which has the potential to be a very large event. The same may be true of Israel, as links grow between groups and more volunteers are travelling to other events. However, I would like to think that in these and other places, the ethos of Limmud is such that the focus is likely to remain on local events, even if some of these grow and attract more visitors from outside the immediate community. I do think the core organisation is likely to remain in the UK as it is well-established here and there is no particular reason for it to move – we are quite able to organise support for groups everywhere. However, there will be ever more of a role for international volunteers in the management of Limmud: this year for the first time there is a non-UK member of the Limmud Board of Directors, and the Limmud International Steering Group is predominantly made up of individuals who live outside the UK. I see this trend very much continuing, with volunteers who have moved on from running their local event to being ever more available to support other groups regionally and internationally. If we are successful in maintaining this international focus, then Limmud can truly remain an international organisation, able to contribute to Jewish communities everywhere. Dr. Helena Miller (immediate past co-Chair, Limmud International) is a Fellow at the Center for Jewish Peoplehood Education
