As the most regular readers of this blog would have probably recognised right now, I am generally despondent about the impact of Jewish Orthodox hegemony on the Jewish Community in Johannesburg. This despondency stems from the fact that these groups tend to assume that Jewish culture and religion is not something that can be challenged in the open society, but rather can only be challenged within the framework of Jewish thought set out by Orthodoxy.
So, you can imagine my relief when a group of motivated, intellectual and liberal Jews brought "Limmud" to South Africa. Limmud is a model for Jewish learning, that encourages learning on a number of interesting and controversial topics pertaining to Jewish Life.
For the first time in a long time, Jewish people in South Africa were given hope that there exists a space for subversive thinking and challenging thoughts, that one's thinking need not be limited by the sensitivities of the South African orthodox establishment that "govern" the Jewish community in South Africa. Limmud's appearance on the South African scene was a loud cry of resistance by a group of people motivated to create a community in South Africa guided by the doctrines of democracy, tolerance and diversity.
I was very pleased to have attended this momentous event. For me, it was important to stand in solidarity with "Limmud", to put my intellectual weight behind the counterculture that had begun to sprout on that day.
Obviously, the question remains. Is this enough? Will Limmud actually be able to make an impact in capturing the hearts and minds of Jews caught in between the utopia offered by Kiruv organisations or the freedom offered by the challenging thoughts of the "Limmudniks"? Is the community too far gone down a road of fundamentalism and narrow orthodoxy to care?
I think it will have a lasting impact. Those people that see the significance of "Limmud" in South Africa will continue to support it, and these people will become equipped through this learning to impact the South African Jewish Community.
Tours to Israel are not the only means of connection with one's Jewish identity. I don't need to pay R5000 and support the orthodox establishment in order to feel Jewish. "Limmud" has shown me that there are numerous options available to express your identity, and this is why the existence of this platform is important.
Good to see some resistance out there. About damn time too.
6 dissenting voice(s):
el hermo, do you think Limmud was set up in a direct response to a certain event? and secondly, where else has limmud workshops been set up (other than south africa)?
I think so...I mean the organisers do not blatantly say "this has been set up against this..." but i think the refusal of the orthodox community to ratify the function gives weight to the notion that this event is set up to negate the power of the hegemonic discourse of orthodoxy in the community.
As far as I know, there have been Limmud workshops in England, Israel, America and Australia. Its very popular in England.
i am considering a rebuttal on my page to start a cross blog debate. will keep you posted.
How can you compare the subtle (and perceived) indoctrination of the Ohrsom tour to the openness of the Limmud discussions? You call them both 'connecting' to Jewish identity. You may as well compare the Ulpan program to a human rights rally if both ostensibly may achieve some of the same things.
I also think you're ignoring the secularity of Limmud. I went to lectures on Kentridge, gay adoption and the workings of the Jewish Report - hardly the 'community platform' you make it out to be.
In response to rattatouile, I feel that Limmud and Ohrsom act (at least, in South Africa) function as opposite poles on the spectrum of the communal activity.
I concede that while Ohrsom acts as obviously the more religion centred type of thing, Limmud acts, as the kid said, as the more profoundly secular of the two. Thus, putting these events at opposite polarity obviously makes it difficult to compare the two.
However, I also believe that both events function as a means of connection to Jewish Identity, regardless of how different they are. As Ohrsom seems to be a "popular" means of reconnecting to Judaism nowadays, I would argue that Limmud, while different, at least provides an alternative means of connection, albeit through secular activities, that have relevance to Jewish Life and the community as a whole.
Community is not only religious, but also an enclave of diverse cultural, social and political positions. To deny the fact that Limmud acts as a community platform, is to deny those Jews across all those denominations (including myself) who engage with the community on a secular level, rather than a religious one, the ability to appropriate a happening such as Limmud as a platform for engagement and involvement in the Jewish Community.
So, I humbly disagree with the esteemed Lior, on the basis that Limmud is without doubt a community platform that has a crucial role to play in bringing every jewish denomination in South Africa to the proverbial shabbos table. Jewish cultural learning events with a secular tone can act as a community platform, just as much as religious ones.
Please can you complete the following survey on Limmud
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=b5UbhuxKENRVgwZGcCDbgg_3d_3d
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