L

immud Michigan returns 
this year with an expansive, 
diverse program on Sunday, 
Sept. 22, at Congregation Shaarey 
Zedek in Southfield. 
 Limmud, which means learning 
in Hebrew, is a nonprofit, 
volunteer-run organization that 
provides a day of wide-ranging 
educational opportunities for 
individuals with varied Jewish 

affiliations and interests. Limmud 
was founded in Great Britain 
during the 1980s to provide 
activities for the local Jewish 
community during the Christmas 
period.
Today, more than 80 Limmud 
events are held in 43 countries. 
Limmud Michigan was 
established in 2016 and has held 
events in varied locations in Metro 
Detroit and Ann Arbor. This year, 
45 presenters will offer 50 sessions 
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
 Dr. Irving D. Goldfein, Limmud 
Michigan president, describes this 
year’s program as “one of the most 
remarkable we’ve ever had.”
Have you ever thought about how 
the Torah conveys God’s essence or 
considered the “unnamed women” 
in the Torah? 
At Limmud, your perspective and 
knowledge will expand whether 
your interest is Torah studies, 
ethical dilemmas, a Jewish view 
of organ transplantation, Rosh 
Hashanah food origins or Israeli 
dance and poetry. 
Presenters include professors 
from Michigan universities, 

teachers affiliated with local 
schools and congregations, rabbis, 
a cantor, physician, writers and 
performing and visual artists. They 
include:
• Emily Bowen Cohen is the 
author of a middle school graphic 
novel, Two Tribes. She is Jewish and 
a member of the Muscogee (Creek) 
Nation. A Los Angeles resident, 
her topics are “The Real Life Story 
of a Jewish Native American” and 
“Create Your Own Identity Story.” 
• Dalia Davis, an educator, 
dancer and choreographer from 
New York City, is a graduate of 
Yeshivat Maharat’s Kollel and 
director of pastoral education 
at SVIVAH, a Jewish women’s 
organization. She will discuss 
“Unnamed Women in the Bible: 
Lot’s Wife” and “Beit Midrash in 
Motion: Rebbe’s Maidservant.” 
• David Elcott of White Plains, 
New York, was vice president 
of the National Jewish Center 
for Learning and Leadership. 
He retired as Taub Professor at 
NYU and is now SUNY professor 
for college students at a New 
York prison. His presentation 

“Subversive Bible, Subversive 
Democracy” will explore Jewish 
opposition to the absolutes of kings 
and dictators throughout history 
and the challenges for continuing 
this today.
• Paul Hamburger is a retired 
lawyer and author of numerous 
books and articles about legal 
and Judaic topics from Potomac, 
Maryland. His presentation is 
“Who am I? Who wants to know? 
How the Torah Conveys God’s 
Essence through Anochi.” 
• Daniel Ronis is a retired 
scientist and member of Agudas 
Israel who lives in Saskatoon, 
Saskatchewan. He will discuss 
“Concepts of God and the 
Afterlife in Judaism and New Age 
Literature,” drawing on traditional 
Jewish texts as well as secular 
sources. 
Advance registration is required 
(see “Details”) for Limmud’s day-
long program but not for individual 
sessions. A kosher lunch is 
included in the fee. 

28 | SEPTEMBER 12 • 2024 
J
N

Limmud Michigan offers diverse presentations on Sept. 22.
Jewish Learning

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY

Limmud Offers 
Broad Educational 
Categories
Presentations represent 10 
categories with some topics 
including more than one focus 
area:
• Art and Culture
• Jewish Life and Practice
• Text and Thought
• Israel
• Current Events
• History
• Social Justice
• Identity
• Our Community
• Body and Soul

Details

Check-in begins at 9 a.m. at 
Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 27375 
Bell Road, Southfield. Sessions begin at 
10 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. Registration 
fees, including lunch, are $25 through 
Sept. 15; $36 through Sept. 20; and $18 
for full-time students through Sept. 20.
To register and obtain details 
visit https://limmudmichigan2024.
sched.com. Use the site password 
“lomdim5784.”

Celebrate 
 

Photo from 
last year’s 
Limmud.

