I remember when the first British delegation came to CAJE about 25 years ago in Boston. CAJE was the “Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education” and the core of the “Coalition for Alternatives in Jewish Education.”
In those days CAJE was still new. Most of us who created it were in our 20s and early 30s. (I was on the board of CAJE for the first six years and Milwaukeean Jerry Benjamin was the chair.) It was a grass roots enterprise and there was all the excitement of doing something radical. It also was the epitome of pluralism, bringing together Jewish teachers of all ideologies.
The visiting Brits were energized by the conference. They returned to England determined to create “The English CAJE.”
Thus was born “Limmud,” modeled after CAJE, which has became the annual conference for British Jews.
Ever since those early days of Limmud, I have wanted to attend one. Now that Limmud has been in existence for 23 years, I finally made the trip across the Atlantic for the December conference.
Among more than 350 presenters, I was asked to lead several workshops, including an interactive murder mystery event that takes place in 1538 Tsfat (complete with 16th century food and costumes).
Held at Nottingham University, the conference drew some 2,500 Jews from England and other countries, including a sizeable number of participants from the U.S. and Israel — and from countries as unexpected as Sweden and Turkey.
Limmud far exceeded my expectations. Jewish scholars and teachers from all over the world gave hundreds of workshops and seminars. Some of the American names familiar to us included historian Deborah Lipstadt (whose legal triumph over British Holocaust denier David Irving has made her an icon for the Brits), Yaffa Eliach, Rabbi Norman Lamm, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Judith Hauptman and Rabbi David Saperstein.
Incredible range
The morning Beit Midrash drew 400 people every morning. Later, sessions ranged from traditional chevruta-style Talmud study to radical departures from conventional exegesis. Topics were wide-reaching and rich.
Entertainment also was extraordinary. Musicians and performers from all over the world performed at night and gave workshops during the day.
The most astonishing thing for me about the event was the incredible range of ideologies and ages in attendance. There were programs for children and teens and families. Participants ranged in age from young children to octogenarians and older. Everyone — everyone — was passionate about taking in as many of the workshops, lectures and presentations as possible.
Of the 2,500 participants, I estimate that at least 1,000 were under 30 — a fact I found particularly exciting comparing it to similar events in this country, which seem to appeal to an older crowd exclusively. In fact, the organizing committees were comprised of primarily 20-somethings and early 30-somethings.
Every night the Nottingham University Pub was packed with young people until 3 a.m. and later. Young people filled the educational sessions and entertainment sessions. The sense of celebration throughout the conference was extraordinary.
In the nearly 30 years since its creation, our American CAJE has grown into a major establishment institution. The organization’s name was changed several years ago from the “Coalition for Alternatives in Jewish Education” to “The Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education.”
Virtually the only people that attend CAJE conferences today are principals and executives in Jewish education who have conference budgets. A handful of teachers, some of whom get scholarships from their local communities, attend, as well as teachers in cities close to the location (which changes every year).
It has changed from the grass roots enterprise to a more establishment-oriented one. It’s still a vital, important institution, drawing 2,000 participants and more each year. However, the buzz and excitement can’t compete with that of Limmud.
Why is that? And what does that tell us about Jewish life here in America? Why are fewer young Jews passionately engaged in Jewish life?
Of course, such questions are too complex to be dealt with here, but perhaps we can perceive some of the reasons for the vitality of Limmud.
Whereas it began, like CAJE, as a conference for educators, Limmud changed the focus a number of years ago to Jewish learning for everyone with no emphasis on teaching or the Jewish school (like our annual “Day of Discovery” which will happen here in Milwaukee Feb 21-22).
My generation (“baby boomers”) created CAJE, and stuck with it throughout the years – and people now talk about “the graying of CAJE.” The Limmud leaders, on the other hand, have been able to turn over the reins to the younger generation, who have consistently brought new ideas and new excitement into the enterprise.
Anti-Semitism, rampant in Europe, has had an effect as well. Rather than deterring participation in this annual conference, it has strengthened the resolve of British Jews to support the very public yearly event. Young volunteer security guards with walkie-talkies and earphones patrolled the campus at all hours checking conference badges and securing the grounds.
As in other Jewish communities in Europe, pluralism isn’t universally supported. The Orthodox establishment in England has not been encouraging its rabbis to participate in Limmud. Chief Rabbi of the UK Jonathan Sacks has not felt that he can attend (although his two daughters did attend and were involved in planning the conference).
Therefore, the Jews that attend — be they Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, religious or secular — feel that they have decided to do something radical, something that might just change the nature of the British Jewish community.
The effect of that decision is partially responsible for the energy of the conference.
Limmud is 23 years old, yet it has retained the energy of being a pioneer institution.
Jody Hirsh is Judaic education director at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center.
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