The first Limmud program began in England more than 25 years ago to engage Jews from diverse backgrounds in innovative, inclusive educational events about Jewish life, religion, values, history, and arts and culture. Limmud is the Hebrew work for learning. More than 40 Limmud programs around the world provide cross-communal and cross- generational learning experiences in cities including Moscow, Jerusalem, Istanbul, Berlin and New York. LimmudLA was founded in 2007 by lay leaders to connect diverse Jews of all ages, affiliations, and orientations in Southern California.

LimmudLA provides an annual three-day conference and half- and full-day events to engage individuals across all ages and denominations in Jewish life and learning at various locations in Los Angeles. The 2009 conference engaged more than 700 participants in Jewish learning and networking activities, including classes, films, concerts, panels and prayer services. In addition, LimmudLA offers online podcasts on the weekly Torah portion. The annual conference and events enable participants to connect with one another and learn about topics such as Jewish arts and performance; ethics, values and responsibility; history, culture and the Jews of many lands; holiday, ritual and prayer; Israel - a multifaceted society; individual, family and community relations; Jewish text and thought; and the Los Angeles Jewish experience.

Our vision is to create an atmosphere in which Jews of all stripes can make an informed choice about how they would like to go farther on their Jewish journey. The Foundation grant is the financial cornerstone that supports our marketing and administrative efforts, allowing us to hire an executive director. Throughout the grant process, The Foundation asked the tough questions that enabled us to create specific milestones and benchmarks early in the process.

Shep Rosenman, Conference Co-Chair, LimmudLA