The illumination of Limmud

Since its founding 14 years ago, Limmud has provided our community with an unrivalled array of outstanding local and international speakers presenting on topics relating to the full gamut of the Jewish experience. As a result, the annual Limmud festival has become one of the most keenly anticipated events on our communal calendar, and it’s indicative of the continued high levels of Jewish identity, literacy, and interest in our community. The heightened enthusiasm at this year’s Limmud weekend in Johannesburg was in large part due to it being held in person for the first time in three years, adding that crucial element of togetherness and immediate shared experience that draws participants to one another and contributes so much to the general sense of excitement and buoyancy generated by such events.

Limmud embodies the values of inclusivity and respect for diversity that underpin our own mission to be as fully representative as we can of the Jewish community in South Africa. The South African Jewish Board of Deputies has been a firm supporter of Limmud from the outset, and its lay leaders and professional staff members have regularly spoken on its platforms. This year, I participated in two of the sessions while National Director Wendy Kahn participated in a third. Kahn was part of a panel discussing the implications of the Bongani Masuku judgment in terms of how the law prohibiting antisemitic and other forms of hate speech is applied by our courts.

In my first session, I again had the opportunity of being in conversation with Jonathan Ancer on Mensches in the Trenches, a book recording the stories of some of the less high-profile stalwarts of the anti-apartheid struggle from our community. The book, authored by Ancer, was brought out under the auspices of the Board earlier this year. This was followed by session titled “The state of the Jewish community psyche”, in which I was a panellist with Benji Shulman and David Abrahamson. The subject being debated was obviously a serious one, but all those present were genuinely invigorated and energised by what came out of the session. The undoubted physical and psychological strains that South Africa’s challenges are placing on each of us were acknowledged, but there was also a recognition of the many strengths we have as a Jewish community and how this ensures the continued richness, vibrancy, and resilience of Jewish life in our country.

Limmud provides a welcoming, respectful space for exploring, debating, and learning about every kind of Jewish-themed topic, from art to Zionism. We’re fortunate to have this opportunity to be enriched by our Jewish heritage and to have so many dedicated people in our community who on an ongoing basis work to make this possible. I warmly congratulate the organisers of Limmud 2022 for their passion and enthusiasm, and wish them all success in their upcoming events in Durban and Cape Town.

• Listen to Charisse Zeifert on Jewish Board Talk, 101.9 ChaiFM, every Friday from 12:00 to 13:00.