OWN CORRESPONDENT
David Bilchitz (centre), the first-ever Limmud International steering group chairman from outside the UK, flanked by Limmud Chairman Kevin Sefton (right), who heads the global Limmud movement, and Adam Moscoe of Limmud Ottawa, at the Limmud Conference last year, where over 2 500 people gathered for the annual Jewish learning festival from December 28 – New Year 2015.
PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF ADAM MOSCOE
Limmud said in a media release that Bilchitz assumed his new role as chairman of the steering group this January. The steering group supports Limmud groups around the world, with training, development and networking. Today, there are Limmud events in 80 Jewish communities and 41 countries.
“I’m delighted to welcome David Bilchitz to the Limmud Board as chairman of the Limmud International Steering Group,” said Limmud Chairman Kevin Sefton, who leads the Limmud worldwide movement.
“David is a founder of Limmud South Africa, which draws almost 2 000 people each year. He brings his broad vision and immense energy to guide and support the expansion of Limmud’s cross-communal, multi-generational, volunteer model around the world.”
Founded in the UK in 1980 by a small group of volunteers, Limmud (“learning” in Hebrew) boasts more than 3 000 volunteers the world over. Where it began with 75 Jewish educators, their friends and families, 28 500 people took part in a Limmud event in 2014.
Bilchitz took over from outgoing Limmud International Steering Group Chairman David Hoffman, who oversaw Limmud International growth in Asia, Israel and Latin America, among other places.
“Limmud represents a celebration of Jewish culture and identity,” said Bilchitz, who continues to help lead LimmudSA and co-chaired its first three conferences.
“I love the multiplicity of forms of Jewishness represented – from Torah and Talmud, to music, arts, film and so much else. I also love the way in which people with widely diverging views and commitments find a way to engage one another respectfully, even becoming friends.
“Limmud offers an answer for how to create a positive, engaged Jewish identity in the modern world. And, the vitality and dynamism within the Limmud international community is infectious and energising.”
“I would like to ensure that we continue to provide excellent support to existing groups and to maintain the current strength of Limmud in communities across the world,” Bilchitz told the Limmud International activists. “The second goal is to deepen our connections with local groups through a mentoring programme.”
Samuel Shalom
Jan 16, 2015 at 11:05 am
‘It is not an accident that they have settled on a South African \”boy wonder\”! It is obviously directly positioned in response to that other \”wonder boy\” Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein whose international Shabbat Project is based on similar ideas and goals espoused by Bilchitz that will no doubt ensure more competition between the Shabbat Project and Limmud hopefully all for the better! Seems like South Africans rock, now that the UK has a South african born and raised Chief Rabbi Mervis, the international Kiruv movement has a South African Chief Rabbi Goldstein, and now Limmud has a South African Chief Programmer Bilchitz! Three ambitious musketeers trying their best to educate a rapidly assimilating world Jewry to remain as Jewish as possible. A very tough job indeed. BeHatzlacha to all of them!’