Limmud Seattle: Full Schedule

(The Limmud Seattle 2018 main website)

8:45am PST

Israel's Jewish Renaissance

Three decades ago, Elul, the first egalitarian secular-religious Beit Midrash (house of study), was founded in Jerusalem. Today there are some hundred organizations that are trying to reclaim classic Jewish sources and make Torah study relevant for us today. *A house of study is a space in which both prayer and Torah study take place.

Presenters

Ruth Calderon

Ruth Calderon is one of Israel’s leading figures spearheading efforts to revive Hebrew culture and a pluralistic Israeli-Jewish identity. In 1989 she co-established Beit Midrash Elul in Jerusalem. In 1996, in Tel Aviv, she founded ALMA, Home for Hebrew Culture. Ruth is the author... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 8:45am - 10:00am PST
Mr. Rainier (North)

Community & Identity

8:45am PST

Shalom, My Name Is _____________ (Insert your name here)

Start your day with a workshop designed to build relationships among participants in fun and creative ways. What brought you to Limmud? What do you love about Judaism? What challenges and inspires you? Through a series of facilitated, arts-based activities that incorporate poetry, movement, theater, and singing, this session will provide opportunities to explore many such questions while getting to know fellow participants. Come ready to try new things, play, think, feel, create, enjoy yourselves, and maybe make new friends along the way. Designed for all levels—no art experience necessary!

Presenters

Diana Falchuk

Diana Falchuk is a Seattle-based artist, consultant, strategist, and organizer with nearly two decades’ experience designing public and social arts projects, trainings, and policies that advance racial equity and social justice. She works as an independent consultant and artist... Read More →

Rebekka Goldsmith

Trained as a professional singer, group facilitator, and professional coach, Rebekka has spent over 15 years guiding individuals and groups in explorations of voice, creativity, and justice. She has worked in public, nonprofit, and education sectors designing and facilitating experiential... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 8:45am - 10:00am PST
Alumni (South)

Community & Identity Hands-on Activity

8:45am PST

Of Many: Multifaith Leadership on American Campuses

Set against the dramatic backdrop of Middle East violence and tension between Jewish and Muslim students on college campuses, this short documentary focuses on the surprising and transformative relationship between an Orthodox rabbi and an imam who serve as university chaplains in New York. We'll learn of communities struck by catastrophe where young religious Jews and Muslims work together and overcome long-standing divides. Timely and humorous, Of Many offers a hopeful narrative in the face of a seemingly irreconcilable conflict. Interfaith activist Chelsea Garbell, featured in the documentary, joins us for a talkback following the film.

Presenters

Chelsea Garbell

Chelsea Garbell is an MPA candidate and Lisa Ellen Goldberg fellow in international policy and management at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. She previously served as a program coordinator for the Council on Foreign Relations’ Religion and Foreign... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 8:45am - 10:00am PST
Highlander (North)

Social Justice Community & Identity Film

8:45am PST

Cartooning a Split Jewish Identity: The Autobiographical Comics of Miriam Libicki

Nonfiction graphic novelist Miriam Libicki will read from her works on identity, politics, and Israel-diaspora relations, and encourage the audience to explore their own stereotype fears by leading them in drawing their own cartoon self-portraits.

Presenters

Miriam Libicki

Miriam Libicki is a graphic novelist living in Vancouver, Canada. Her short comics have been published by Alternate History Comics, Rutgers University Press, and the Journal of Jewish Identities, and her Israeli Army memoir jobnik! has been used in over a dozen university courses... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 8:45am - 10:00am PST
Horizon (South)

Visual Arts Community & Identity Social Justice

10:15am PST

Should Jews Seek Converts? Exploring the Boundary Between Hospitality and Proselytizing

In the ancient world, rabbis and Jews actively proselytized. Many modern Jews are surprised to learn this. Jewish Shabbat table fellowship was greatly admired by pagans of the ancient world. I will discuss texts on the role of "modern Shabbat table fellowship" and newer understandings of Jewish traditions of hospitality. What are the limits and opportunities of Shabbat hospitality? How do Christian hospitality traditions differ from Jewish traditions? I will share some of the things we have learned in Panim Hadashot and its mission to revitalize Shabbat hospitality.

Presenters

Dov Gartenberg

Convener, Panim Hadashot

Rabbi Dov Gartenberg is the Convener and Director of Panim Hadashot—New Faces. Rabbi Dov has been practicing Shabbat and Jewish hospitality from his college days. He loves to convene people to experience Shabbat joy, singing together, learning together, and improving the world... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 10:15am - 11:30am PST
Ballinger (South)

Community & Identity History Chavrutah (Partnered Study)

10:15am PST

The Beauty of Sephardic Life: Up Close and Personal

The Seattle Sephardic community is rich in history and traditions. Come learn about “Levantine,” Ladino-speaking Sephardic traditions and practices as described in The Beauty of Sephardic Life: Scholarly, Humorous & Personal Reflections, by Sam Bension Maimon, the presenter’s father. This session will provide snapshots of community practices and traditions in “the old country” and in Seattle, looking at language, life cycle events, holidays, and music from the island of Rhodes, Tekirdag, Gallipoli, and Marmara. We’ll also learn about the author, his interests, and his service to the community.

Presenters

Albert S Maimon

Al Maimon was born and raised in Seattle, into the Sephardic community. He has been active in the larger Jewish community in many ways here, in New York, Israel, and elsewhere. His Jewish education, formal and informal, encompasses many aspects of Judaism, Jewish history, traditions... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 10:15am - 11:30am PST
Alumni (South)

Community & Identity Seattle & the Pacific NW

11:45am PST

What Your Jewish Teen Is Really Doing and What to Do about It

Your parents didn't know everything your teenage self was up to, so why do you think your kids are any different? With entertaining stories and anecdotes from 20 years of organizing youth activities, Ari Hoffman will help you find the best way to guide your Jewish teen through modern challenges. Yes, there are ways to get your teen to talk to you and turn from their screens. Learn the keys to success of keeping your child connected after the bar/bat mitzvah and how to instill in them a Jewish identity that will last a lifetime. Mistakes will be shared, and a lively Q&A will follow.

Presenters

Ari Hoffman

Though a businessman by trade, Ari's life has been spent volunteering for and organizing youth and Jewish outreach programs for the majority of his life. Ari is known for his entertaining stories and energetic and interactive speaking style. In addition to working in real estate... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 11:45am - 1:00pm PST
Horizon (South)

Community & Identity Education & Pedagogy Lifecycle

11:45am PST

Torah against Patriarchy: Men Confronting Toxic Masculinity in Jewish Culture

The Jewish community is not immune to misogyny or gender violence, made clear by accounts of the conduct of Woody Allen, Harvey Weinstein, and others, and last year by sexist and racist emails sent out by a Chicago AEPi chapter. The hard work of tikkun olam requires us, especially men, to recognize this oppression against women and hold each other accountable. But how? This session will explore the impact of toxic norms of masculinity in our Jewish spaces, along with texts and video stories about sexist dynamics in American Jewish culture and steps to change. How have Torah, anti-Semitism, assimilation, Zionism, and historical trauma shaped the present? Where can tradition point us to a better world? Primarily directed toward discussion among men, but all welcome

Presenters

Jeremy Wood

Jeremy is an attorney in Seattle. Before law school, he taught English and coexistence to youth living in Israel, and served as an Avodah Corps member, where he advocated for the care of youth living with HIV. There he provided sexual health education focused on empowering young people... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 11:45am - 1:00pm PST
Alumni (South)

Social Justice Community & Identity Torah & Text Study

1:15pm PST

Learn to Radically Transform Divisive Issues by Asking the Right Questions!

Are our brains wired to disagree? Is the Red/Blue divide and our evolutionary need for conflict inevitable? Dr. René Levy and Amy Paquette will engage participants to look deeply at our “emotional brain," and explore how our political positions are the result of deeply felt moral choices. We will learn to avoid “zero-empathy,” and to actively listen and create a community that is strong, caring, pluralistic, and respectful—the perfect Limmud community. In the age of Trump, learn meaningful tools that can trick our brains into answering “yes” to Cain’s question to G-d, after his murder of Abel—“Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Presenters

Rene Levy

René H. Levy, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Pharmaceutics and Neurological Surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle. He served as department chair for 26 years, published 330 research articles and several books on the treatment of epilepsy, and received several scientific... Read More →

Amy Paquette

Amy Paquette moved to Seattle from Montana in 1996. After completing her BA at Gonzaga University, she immediately started working in the nonprofit field. Passionate about ideas, creative solutions, and changing the world, Amy worked for over 10 years at the Jewish Federation of Greater... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 1:15pm - 2:30pm PST
Aurora (South)

Community & Identity

1:15pm PST

What Being Raised Buddhist and Jewish Taught Me about Leadership

Born to Jews but raised in Buddhist teachings, Aaron Hurst's upbringing as a “BuJew” shapes his social entrepreneurship as he works to increase consciousness and repair the world (tikkun olam). Aaron founded the Taproot Foundation, whose mission is to lead, mobilize, and engage professionals in pro bono service, and co-founded Imperative, helping organizations globally uncover and apply purpose in their work. Learn how you can apply tikkun olam to derive more purpose from your work.

Presenters

Aaron Hurst

Aaron Hurst is a globally recognized social entrepreneur who works to create communities that are empowered to realize their potential. He is the CEO of Imperative, a B Corp advocating for Purpose-Oriented Workers and supporting the organizations that embrace them. Widely known for... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 1:15pm - 2:30pm PST
Ballinger (South)

Community & Identity

2:45pm PST

What’s the Latest? Exploring New Models of Jewish Community

Explore the past decade's new models of Jewish community and spiritual expression, ranging from independent minyanim to niggun collectives, from meditation groups to rabbi-led “emergent” communities. Rachel will share learnings from her work at Kavana and with the Jewish Emergent Network. Explore what values and qualities these new models share, the best practices that have emerged, and the impact they might have on other Jewish communal institutions—and the broader American Jewish landscape. What might the next wave of religious institutions look like, and what training will best prepare the next generation of Jewish spiritual leaders?

Presenters

Rachel Nussbaum

Rachel Nussbaum is the Rabbi and Executive Director of the Kavana Cooperative, which she co-founded in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle in 2006. On any given day, you might find Rachel talking about Jewish identity over a cup of coffee, teaching Torah, pondering next year’s... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 2:45pm - 4:00pm PST
Ballinger (South)

Community & Identity

2:45pm PST

Transgender in Jewish Law and Ritual

What does Jewish law have to say about being transgender? What is the proper blessing before taking one's hormones? Is there a special ritual for going to the mikveh when one is transitioning gender? This session will discuss the history of transgender ritual and halacha (law), and explore some of the innovations being made by transgender Jews to adapt ancient customs for our needs.

Presenters

Emily Kapor-Mater

Rabbi Emily Aviva Kapor-Mater is a transgender rabbi, author, and activist. Her rabbinic work celebrates the margins of Judaism and the marginalized people who inhabit those spaces. She is the founder of the Transgender Halacha Project, focused on celebrating and affirming trans identities... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 2:45pm - 4:00pm PST
Hamlin (South)

Community & Identity Lifecycle Torah & Text Study

4:15pm PST

Jewish Responses to Countering Extremism

Ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we will explore how to combat extremism and promote dialogue. Through the medium of documentary film, we will explore some of the Jewish responses to extremism—an area the presenter studied and worked in for over a decade—touching on a number of approaches and texts. Participants will debate the most apt response since, given the times we live in, noresponse is not a viable option!

Presenters

Eli Ovits

Chief Executive, Limmud.org

Eli Ovits is chief executive of Limmud International. Representing Limmud in 43 countries, Eli supports the development of Limmud, its programs, and its volunteers. Eli is a Captain (res) in the IDF Spokespersons Unit and a graduate of Hebrew University. He has lectured/traveled widely... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 4:15pm - 5:30pm PST
Horizon (South)

Community & Identity

4:15pm PST

The Best of Israel’s Youth – Right Here in Seattle: A Panel Discussion

Seattle is excited to host talented young Israelis who are living here for a year. Come and engage in a panel discussion, moderated by Amy Amiel, to hear why these young Israelis came to Seattle, what they hope to achieve, what positive messages they are conveying about Israel, and what they are learning about Seattle’s Jewish community. Lidar Efrati and Tal Bronstain are with the Shinshin program (shnat sheirut—year of volunteer service) through the Jewish Agency. For them this is a gap year between high school and the army. Udi Asaraf is the current StandWithUs Northwest shaliach. He has educated dozens of student groups and others across the Pacific Northwest about Israeli history, politics, and culture.

Moderators

Amy Amiel

Amy Z. Amiel serves as the senior program officer of the Samis Foundation, a Seattle-based funder focused on local, quality Jewish education and support for the State of Israel. With more than 20 years’ experience as a professional in Jewish life, Amy continues to be intrigued... Read More →

Presenters

Ehud "Udi" Asaraf

Ehud “Udi” Asaraf, 27, was born and grew up in Netivot, a small town in southern Israel, which is located between Gaza and Beersheva. He is the second child of four siblings. Udi comes from a traditional Mizrachi (the term that describes Jews who have historically lived in Arab... Read More →

Tal Bronstain

Tal Bronstain is an 18-year-old woman from Haifa, Israel. She has two younger twin sisters that started first grade this year. She studied at Leo Baeck High School, majoring in art and photography. She really enjoys practicing photography in her free time. She also loves swimming... Read More →

Lidar Efrati

Lidar Efrati is an 18-year-old woman from Ramat Gan, Israel. She has two older brothers. She studied at Haroe High School, majoring in physics and Talmud. She enjoys surfing, hiking, baking, and sewing. She was a counselor for the Bnei Akiva youth group and was a counselor in Krembo... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 4:15pm - 5:30pm PST
Ballinger (South)

Community & Identity

4:15pm PST

What Have You Got for Me, Judaism? A Guide for Environmentalists Looking to Connect Judaism with Advocacy

Judaism is rich with themes and instructions that directly speak to our relationship with the earth. Our religious calendar, which includes the little-known Shmita cycle, is likewise rooted in earthly cycles, opening up further chambers of the religious imagination in which to gestate a vision of “the world to come.” Leave this session wanting to learn more about the beautiful teachings of our faith, with an awareness of what's going on in the interfaith environmental community in the Pacific Northwest, and with connections that will enable you to become leaders in the Pacific Northwest and in your own community.

Presenters

Deirdre Gabbay

Director, Shmita Project Northwest

Deirdre Gabbay is the founder and director of the Shmita Project Northwest. She is a member of Congregation Beth Shalom in Seattle, and a member of Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power & Light's board of directors. She founded Ahavat v’Avodat HaAdamah, “Love and Service... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 4:15pm - 5:30pm PST
Cromwell (South)

Community & Identity Environment Chavrutah (Partnered Study)

4:15pm PST

Following in Heschel’s Footsteps: White Jews Working for Racial Justice

It’s a beloved snapshot: Dr. King and other civil rights leaders march, arms linked, from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, accompanied by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. With racism in America increasingly revealed in new forms, Jews proudly recall this symbol of Jewish solidarity in the fight for civil rights—though many of us have never had to seriously grapple with racism beyond the sometimes intersecting context of anti-Semitism. What do today’s realities of racial violence and inequity require of us, as Jewish people, with our diverse histories and narratives of navigating oppression? Explore how we can work to understand and undo racism in ourselves and in our institutions, with Jewishness in heart and mind.

Presenters

Talya Gillman

Talya Gillman (she/her) yearns for a world in which all people experience dignity, freedom, and a sense of interconnectedness. She develops service-learning programs and curricula, planting seeds for the kinds of qualities and skills that, when cultivated, enable us to be effective... Read More →

Sunday January 14, 2018 4:15pm - 5:30pm PST
Highlander (North)

Social Justice Community & Identity