Registration has opened for the third annual Limmud Bay Area on July 13-14 at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park.
Last year’s event on the Monterey Peninsula drew about 500 adults and 50 children for two days of freestyle Jewish learning. Attendees took part in classes and workshops led by volunteer teacher-participants.
Limmud is a grassroots-led Jewish learning phenomenon that got its start 34 years ago in England and now takes place in more than 60 locations worldwide. Attendees can choose from up to 10 simultaneous sessions in any given hour — on topics such as Talmud, psychology, film, the Bible, food and Israeli politics. In addition, the event’s website allows people to propose an idea for a session.
This year’s Limmud will start at 9 a.m. Sunday, July 13 and continue until afternoon the next day. A list of volunteer instructors and sessions will be made available as the event gets closer. The sessions will be open to all ticket-holders, with no signups required.
Organizers are urging people to plan early, not only because tickets sell quickly but also because they have heard from people who plan on making Limmud Bay Area a centerpiece of their summer vacation. To that end, optional pre-Limmud accommodation packages for Friday and Saturday nights are being offered.
In 2012 and 2013, Limmud Bay Area was held in February at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove. Organizers say the new spot will be better in terms of meeting rooms, kosher capabilities and accessibility for disabled attendees.
Moreover, said co-chair Ellen Bob, “Many other Limmuds hold their events on college campuses, so we decided to give it a try. Also, because we are committed to being a regional Limmud, we wanted to pick a place that would be a shorter drive for a different geographic cohort.”
Many types of pricing packages are available; most include lodging. All of the packages include four kosher meals made with locally sourced food. Prices range from $120 to $295 for adults, and $80 to $155 for children and teens.
For more details, visit www.limmudbayarea.org, or contact [email protected].
In addition, S.F.-based Jewish Learning Works, thanks to the Milton and Sophie Meyer Fund, is offering grants of up to $100 for Jewish educators to attend Limmud Bay Area. Visit www.tinyurl.com/limmudba-educators.