Limmud Boston - Why Being Jewish Rocks!

This past Sunday, I attended the second annual Limmud Boston Conference, hosted by our neighbor congregation Mishkan Tefila. The conference was a wonderful and exciting celebration of Jewish life and learning. Walking into the lobby, one had the feeling of entering a bazaar. Vendors of Judaica and representatives of different Jewish organizations sat behind tables covered with fun Jewish goodies, brochures, books, and artwork. My children particularly enjoyed visiting AFMDA's table (American Friends of Magen David Adom), with volunteers handing out ambulance-shaped tzedakah boxes and squeeze toys.

Every hour at Limmud Boston offered sessions covering topics as varied as Jewish history, text study, Israeli politics, spirituality, food and farming, body work and movement, parenting, music, and more. I piloted a session I've been developing called "Loosening Our Stiff Necks," which involved Torah study followed by neck stretches, meditation, and chanting. Sara Shalva (aka. my better half) taught a packed-to-capacity session titled "Shalva Yoga," which also combined traditional Torah study with hatha yoga poses and meditation. Together we also attended a fascinating discussion on Israel-Diaspora relations led by Leibel Fein, founder of MAZON and Moment Magazine.

Our children spent the day at Limmud Boston's fantastic Camp Limmud, where they were visited throughout the day by session presenters who led them in exercise classes, art sessions, storytelling, and more. We picked them up for lunch which we ate while enjoying a live music concert which included spirited chanting from Shoshana Jedwab and The Levins' amazing song "Sephardic Rubber Chicken".

Limmud Boston reminded me of what a blessing it is to be part of such a diverse, energetic, intelligent, artistic, soulful people. When we Jews come together to learn and grow from one another, the results can be transformative. I left Limmud Boston inspired. Todah rabbah - a huge thank you - to the Limmud Boston team for making this possible.