Jewish learning program offers many topic options and guest speakers.
Registration is open for Limmud Michigan, an annual exploration and celebration of all things Jewish.
The Sunday, March 11, program will be held at the Student Center at Wayne State University starting at 9 a.m. Sessions will run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Limmud is aimed at people of all ages, all strata of Jewish practice and all levels of Jewish education.
“One young participant told me she likes Limmud because she could be her ‘Jewish self’ without hiding any views or pretending anything — and without being bored!” said Sue Birnholtz of Sylvan Lake, who chairs the steering committee with Mira Sussman of Ann Arbor.
Participants can choose from 10 presentations during each of six sessions on topics including arts and culture, current events, social justice, Israel, our community, text and thought, Jewish life and practice, history, identity, and body and soul. This year there is a new track on Jewish education by and for teachers. Participants are not limited to one track.
The registration fee includes a kosher box lunch from Dish Kosher Catering.
About 600 people attended last year’s Limmud, and organizers hope to attract more this year.
Limmud, a Hebrew word meaning “learning,” started in the early 1980s in England as an activity for Jews during the slow Christmas week. It has spread around the world to 88 cities on six continents.
Children in grades K-5 can attend Camp Limmud, led by counselors from Habonim Camp Tavor.
Hazon, which works to create sustainable communities, is again partnering with Limmud to reduce the environmental impact by emphasizing recycling and composting of materials and donating leftover food.
Birnholtz is looking forward to a presentation by Stanley Wulf, a passionate Zionist and physician with homes in California and Israel. He will discuss how to have inter-generational discussions about Israel that don’t end in shouting or grim silence.
Other out-of-town presenters include Stefanie Siegmund from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, who will talk about the Jews of Italy, and Hanan Harchol, sponsored by the Covenant Foundation.
Harchol, a New York-based artist, animator, filmmaker and classical guitarist, uses animated videos to present Jewish values, leading to interesting discussions.
From 7-9:30 p.m Saturday, March 10, Limmud Michigan and The Well will present an evening with Hanan Harchol at the Office Coffee Shop, 402 S. Lafayette, Royal Oak. The event is free and open to all.
Most of Limmud’s local presenters are well known in the Detroit and Ann Arbor Jewish communities, including a dozen or so rabbis of various denominations.
Limmud Michigan sponsors include the Jewish Community Center’s FedEd program, the Frankel Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Michigan, the Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies at WSU, Hillel of Metro Detroit and Michigan Hillel. Major donors include the Farber Family Foundation, the William Davidson Foundation, and Barbara and Dr. Edward Klarman.
Working with Birnholtz and Sussman on the steering committee are Joelle Abramawitz of Ann Arbor, Leslie and Roger Black of Farmington Hills; Irv Goldfein of Southfield; Leah Josephson, Sandy Lada, Haley Schrier and Clara Silver, all of Ann Arbor; and Rabbi Steven Rubenstein of West Bloomfield.
Visit limmudmichigan.org to register. Until Feb. 18, cost is $25; after it goes to $36. Students pay only $18 and children registering for Camp Limmud pay $15.
Bus transportation from Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield costs $10. Bus reservations can be made when registering. Those driving can find parking near the WSU Student Center.