What is LimmudLA?
What are the goals of LimmudLA?
How will LimmudLA differ from other Jewish retreats?
Who will participate in LimmudLA?
What types of programs will be part of LimmudLA?
What is the background of Limmud?
Who funds LimmudLA?

Q. What is LimmudLA?
A. LimmudLA will bring together a diverse community in a retreat-like setting to celebrate Jewish living, learning, arts, and culture. At any given hour of the day, attendees participate in a broad, self-selected array of programs led by established and emerging stars of the Jewish world. LimmudLA's programming will range from text study and workshops to music and film, from current events to poetry and prayer, tailored to appeal to Jews of all ages, backgrounds, affiliations and interests. The first LimmudLA will take place over Presidents' Day weekend, February 15-18, 2008 in Southern California and will become an annual event on the Jewish calendar.

Q. What are the goals of LimmudLA?
A. LimmudLA will enable each and every participant to move at least one step further on his or her unique Jewish journey. In its open celebration of Jewish peoplehood, LimmudLA will create new avenues of connection, both in the process of creating each Limmud and in its subsequent impact. By facilitating networking and collaboration beyond the range of participants' normal personal involvements, LimmudLA will create bridges spanning the breadth and depth of the Jewish community and will build Jewish continuity.

Q. How will LimmudLA differ from other Jewish retreats?
A. Like other Limmuds, LimmudLA's transdenominational, multigenerational composition and openness to Jewish exploration in a multi-day format will distinguish it from other Jewish retreats. No similar retreat exists anywhere in the Western United States. In contrast to gatherings geared for or organized by individual segments of our Jewish community, the innovation of LimmudLA is to break down and transcend the barriers that exist in Jewish communal life today, not only in the event itself but in planning process leading up to it and in the follow-up after the conference.

Q. Who will participate in LimmudLA?
A. Hundreds of Jews of all ages, backgrounds and interests will participate in the initial LimmudLA. Presenters will range from world renowned scholars and artists to attendees interested in sharing their passions. The program will include and celebrate Jewish content from very traditional to progressive and everything in between. In the spirit of inclusiveness, all food will be strictly kosher and programming will allow for traditional Shabbat observance, with minyan choices across the religious spectrum as well as alternatives such as meditation.

Q. What types of programs will be part of LimmudLA?
A. The LimmudLA programming team, spanning the gamut of Jewish involvement and affiliation, will determine the content. Although every Limmud is different, participants can expect the broadest variety of opportunities to learn and explore Jewish texts, practice, beliefs, philosophy, arts and culture. By way of example, we have attached a sample of classes from Limmud New York. In addition to the regular adult program, LimmudLA will include programming geared for young children and teens, as well.

Q. What is the background of Limmud?
A. The first Limmud began roughly 25 years ago as an annual, volunteer-driven event in Nottingham, England. In recent years, Limmud has been recognized as a "best practice" of Jewish life and has spread across the global Jewish community. The closest Limmud to Los Angeles is Limmud New York, which began in 2005 and has been a huge success.

Q. Who funds LimmudLA?
A. LimmudLA, an independent Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in formation, seeks funding from foundations, institutions and private donors who see the transformative potential of LimmudLA for both the attendees and for Jewish community in Southern California.