LimmudLA Fest, a somewhat scaled-back version of the annual Jewish learning weekend, will be held for the first time this year from Aug. 16 to 18 at the Brandeis-Bardin Campus in Simi Valley. Presenters will offer sessions on a wide variety of topics, staying true to LimmudLA’s promise to provide “a place for everty Jew under the sun.” They include: Yaffa Epstein of the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem, teaching on Talmud and Jewish law; Rabbi Andrew Hahn, “the Kirtan Rabbi,” whose worship transforms traditional Jewish phrases into a call-and-response chant; Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles David Siegel; Jewish Chicks Rock and Jewish Kids Rock founder Naomi Less; Rabbi Ed Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom; Rabbi Zvi Block, senior rabbi of Toras HaShem/Young Israel of Valley Village; and Rabbi Reuven Wolf, co-founder of Maayon Yisroel and teacher of Chasidic Judaism.
LimmudLA is a branch of the volunteer-led Limmud International, which has inspired Limmud programs in 26 countries. Limmud was founded in the United Kingdom in 1980 and was introduced to North America in 2004.
The upcoming Limmud d eLA Fest will include campfires, outdoor programming, and efforts to make the event more environmentally friendly, to help participants fully experience the natural beauty of Brandeis-Bardin. Visitors to LimmudLA Fest can stay in cabins or tents. Prices for a bed in a shared cabin range from $50 to $300, and camping prices range from $50 to $250. Registration for Sunday events only is $75. Childcare will be available, and the event is glatt kosher. For more information or to register, visit limmudla.org.
