Lessons from LIMMUD NY

Recently my family and I attended LIMMUD NY, a four day Jewish learning experience. Over 850 people participated in what was essentially the educational equivalent of a delicious buffet with something for everyone.

A big part of the excitement at LIMMUD comes from the fact that multiple sessions run concurrently, so people need to choose what they will attend. It is not uncommon to hear participants bemoan the fact that there are so many excellent choices they don't know what to do. "Do I go hear Danny Gordis or Ruth Messenger? Vanessa Hidary or Eli Valley?" 

The creative tension from these conversations was inspiring. In an age of soundbites, it was refreshing to decide how to spend a quality 60 to 75 minutes of Torah Lishmah (study for its own sake). Going to what you want also infuses the conference with an open quality. LIMMUD calls this "learning without limits". 

LIMMUD, which means learning, was the brainchild of Clive Lawton of the UK. This powerful experience has several pillars that contribute to its success. The first one is an open environment that welcomes meaningful engagement. No labels, no boundaries, just learning. While most people come to learn, many were there as volunteers. In fact, every speaker volunteers, for no speaker is paid. This conference constitutes an egalitarian effort that is actualized by all those who attend. 

The only leadership label is that of "connectors", volunteers who have been asked to start conversations, introduce people and to keep the discussions going in the hallways, over meals and in the elevators. By the way, elevators are the best places to make new friends.

Another pillar is empowerment. As mentioned above, participants are responsible to make their own schedules. So much so that no announcements were made during the 4 days. Schedules were readily handed out and available via a schedule app. This empowering atmosphere is similar to making your own playlist on your iPod. Just like finding the right song on your playlist, at LIMMUD it is commonplace for participants to float from session to session until they find what speaks to them during that time slot. 
 
I was deeply impressed that people came because they just wanted to be there. The spirit of openness, sincere curiosity and amazing choices were simply amazing. And it helped that my kids loved Camp LIMMUD, which was run by incredible staff who were trained by Ramah Nyack!

One eye-opening experience for me was the large number of Conservative Jews in attendance. United Synagogue conventions have become smaller over the past decade than in previous years. Similar to trends regarding the UJC GA, some have claimed that these declining numbers can be attributed to changes in leadership, membership, priorities, volunteerism, the movement in particular and American Judaism in general.

Interesting enough, at least half of the LIMMUD NY participants come from the Conservative Movement, including their executive director, David Wolkin, who studied at JTS. In fact, the largest synagogue group came from Tifereth Israel, the Conservative congregation in Glen Cove, NY, with 17 people. The number of people who officially registered as Conservative is 28%, and from observing who went to what service on Shabbat and multiple conversations about affiliation, I believe this number to be over 50%.  That hundreds of Conservative Jews came simply to learn is a a sign of vitality. 

What does this mean? It means that people will attend a conference when they believe that it will be personally meaningful. LIMMUD NY was not inexpensive, yet people came. People will travel, volunteer, study, be open to new ideas if the experience speaks to them, inspires them, and is essentially about them. If a conference will enhance their lives, nurture their souls, expand their minds, they will come.

As you may know, I work for United Synagogue and I am working on the program component of our next conference on October 11-15 in Baltimore. We are planning an unforgettable gathering  to mark the 100th birthday of United Synagogue and the impact of Conservative Judaism.  This "Centennial Celebration" is already coming together.  We are delighted that Rabbi Harold Kushner, Vanessa Hidary, Rabbi Brad Artson, Clive Lawton (mentioned above)  and other dynamic North American thought leaders from both within and outside Conservative Judaism will be with us.

Deeply inspired by the LIMMUD model, we are creating an experience that will attract participants because the topics and takeaways are directly related to today's challenges and opportunities.  Moreover, the tagline of this conference, "The Conversation of the Century", bespeaks our commitment to convene open, relevant discussions and workshops instead of speeches by "talking heads". 

Recognizing the need for different and new voices, the Centennial will feature presenters, facilitators and speakers from all world reflecting a mix of generations and genders. 

The only part of LIMMUD that was not exceptional was the services. Rabbi David Ingber's service on Friday night was the one prayer highlight. It seems that the program is called LIMMUD (study) and not "Tefilla" (prayer) for a reason.

At the Centennial Shabbaton we will feature multiple services on Friday night and Shabbat morning. Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann will lead a spiritual service with her Mishkan Chicago davening team, Hazzan David Propis will lead a cantorial service, Dale Shatz - the backbone of "Friday Night Live" - will conduct a musical service, and Yehuda Solomon of Moshav Band will lead a Carlebach service. The Centennial will be for services what LIMMUD is for study. I already can't decide which service to attend!  

With these prayer options and dynamic learning opportunities, we are confident that we are creating a powerful experience that will attract not only those who consider themselves Conservative Jews, but also anyone who is interested in and committed to a vibrant future for North American Jewry and worldwide.

The lesson from LIMMUD is: Empower people with fantastic choices that are relevant in their lives and they will come ... and come back again.