Program's Mission:
Host the first-ever LimmudLA conference to promote Jewish learning and celebrate Jewish living, arts and culture.

Grant:
$250,000 Cutting Edge Grant to support the LimmudLA conference

About the Program:
Over 600 Jews - of every age and denomination - gathered over the February 15, 2008, weekend for what was described as a smorgasbord of Judaism at the first-ever LimmudLA conference.

Thanks in large part to a $250,000 Cutting Edge Grant from The Foundation, the conference was an overwhelming success. The grant helped fund a year-long educational and marketing campaign to promote Jewish learning which culminated in an annual conference celebrating Jewish living, arts and culture.

Funding from The Foundation paid for the conference's overhead and infrastructure. But according to Shep Roseman, co-chair of LimmudLA, it also offered intangible benefits. "The Foundation has lent more than a measure of legitimacy to our efforts. Once we had the imprimatur of The Foundation it became much easier to have conversations and fundraise with other foundations, institutions and individuals who until that point did not feel like there was enough legitimacy, enough of a buzz, enough interest in L.A. as a community. The Foundation's involvement turned that corner for us."

The conference was different from other Jewish retreats because it was transdenominational, multigenerational, and committed to open Jewish exploration. "My hope is that LimmudLA will serve as a connector, a facilitator, a conduit in a highly particularized, niche, fragmented Jewish community," explained Roseman. There were 260 different sessions, 21 films, two concerts and an off-Broadway play offering insight, information and entertainment for attendees.

"The LimmudLA experience is all about going one step further on your Jewish journey," said Roseman. "We want people to understand that there are different philosophies, different perspectives, different tastes and different styles… LimmudLA has the capacity to begin building a singular Jewish community in Los Angeles."

In addition to the financial support and measure of legitimacy, Roseman appreciated The Foundations willingness to support their volunteer team every step of the way. "The foundation offered the expertise of its professionals to help guide us in making our plans. They were a resource when we had big-picture questions and nitty-gritty questions; and that was invaluable. We are extremely grateful and lucky to have a resource like the Jewish Community Foundation in Los Angeles."