Limmud 2025 – How was it for you? - The Jewish Chronicle

Aron Seitler, 27, Jerusalem

“For me, Limmud is Anglo-Jewry coming out of its shell. People are ready to talk to one another where they otherwise would not. I feel a sense of Jewish peoplehood that those out on the street in the UK are not willing to express. In this space, our peoplehood is in the air. Here, people aren’t balancing two different identities – Jewish and British – they can be Jewish without putting on Anglo airs.”

Abi Symons, 37, Palmers Green, north London

Abi Symons[Missing Credit]

“My daughter, Mimi, is seven weeks old. Limmud is a great place for babies – everybody wants to help and that’s what is so lovely about it. People talk about how it takes a village to raise a baby; this is my village.

“This evening, I got to sing I Will Survive with the band, with my baby strapped onto my chest, and go to the Rebbetzin's Disco. Loads of people wanted to help look after her. Particular credit goes to the Limmud team. I have never seen a team work so well as this one and this must be my tenth Limmud.

“This is the village and community that everyone should be seeking to build. If we could bring a bit of Limmud into the world, then we need to stop taking the variety of opinions in the Jewish community as personal affronts and appreciate the things that connect us and bring us together more than the things than divide us.”

Sophia Spiegel[Missing Credit]

“This was my fourth Limmud. It was enriching and great to meet new friends and old for this real celebration of the resilience of Judaism. I am the co-chair of Limmud Ireland and on the board of Limmud Europe, so I’ve been to several other Limmuds. But this one – because it is five days – really feels like a community. When we arrive each year and see everyone, it feels like there has been no time and we reconnect. This is such a friendly community. Talking, meeting and learning with everyone. finding joy with each other. That’s why we keep coming back.”

Eli Hillman, 52, Finchley, north London

Eli Hillman[Missing Credit]

“I met my wife on Limmud in 1995, so I didn’t have a reason to come back for while…This year, I came back with my wife and two kids. Highlights for me included a really interesting analysis on the Halachic analysis of zealotry and non-zealotry by Sheldon Stone, another one on how Christian parables have their roots in the prophets and a session on conversos [Jews who were forced to convert to avoid persecution].

“It’s so nice to know that our kids were engaged too. A lot of Limmud rubs off on them – coming across people who are into being Jewish and all the different aspects of being Jewish. There are a lot of role models for them at Limmud.”

Anneloes ter Horst, 73, Obdam, a village north of Amsterdam

Anneloes ter Horst[Missing Credit]

“I’ve been to Limmud 13 times. This was a nice Limmud, but nothing especially stood out; it was just like the others. Lots of things were nice. I am part of the older generation now. It is nice to see so many young people involved. I keep coming back because of that feeling you get when you come here.”

Dr David Elter 64 originally from Liverpool, now living in Jerusalem

Dr David Elter[Missing Credit]

“I’ve been coming to Limmud for more than eight years. Like the other years, I found this year that there were too many lectures to choose from! But if you don’t like one, you soon learn that you can walk out and go to another. Hearing Limmud co-founder, Clive Lawton, is always a highlight for me. Clive is a serious speaker, and this year I heard him speak about three times. Even though I have been living in Israel for more than 25 years, I am still active in different Jewish organisations in the UK, so coming back for Limmud is great, and we see the same friends every year.”

Dr Gary Ginsberg, 75, Jerusalem

Dr Gary Ginsberg[Missing Credit]

“This has been an amazing Limmud. Over Shabbat, I went to several things and it was overstimulating, so on Sunday, I did less. I went to the pub across the road to watch Tottenham. Then, on Monday morning, I went to two heavy things, which were wonderful, and then I went to sing songs from Fiddler on the Roof with hundreds of other people. My most uplifting thing was doing Havdalah with 500 people.”

Janine Cunea, 54, Berlin, Germany

Janine Cunea[Missing Credit]

“Limmud is a Jewish universe and a place of healing. I think that's what we all need. Most people in Europe and the diaspora are not feeling good because of rising antisemitism. But here – where there is Orthodoxy without dogma – it is a place of healing that is good for the soul. Limmud had a feeling of unity even if we are very different; I didn’t see conflict, we all enjoy being Jews. This is the best mass event for Jewish people.”

Rivka Isaacson, 50, Finchley, north London

Rivka Isaacson[Missing Credit]

“This was my 25th Limmud, and a highlight was Elana Arian, who is a spectacular musician. She ran a ton of singing sessions. They were moving and everyone felt good. We came away with a lot of new tunes and a lot of energy. This year, I steered clear of a lot of the heavy sessions and really came to enjoy Limmud. It’s constant stimulation – there are so many amazing people from all walks of life and a great atmosphere.”

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Limmud 2025