BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (JTA) — Limmud will be holding its first conference in Mexico.
More than 60 presenters from across the Jewish spectrum will engage an expected 300 Jews of diverse affiliations at the Limmud Mexico on Oct. 28.
Renato Huarte, chair of Limmud Mexico, told JTA that he attended the 2011 Limmud in the United Kingdom, "tasted Limmud in action and knew we had to bring it here." Huarte said the idea crystallized when he spoke to the Limmud Buenos Aires founder, Patricia Kahane, at the 2011 ROI Gathering in Buenos Aires.
Limmud International sent Clive Lawton, its executive director from Britain, to meet with Mexican volunteers in February, Huarte said, and the idea became a plan. The group of volunteers expanded to 40.
Participants in the Mexico Limmud — hailing from the host country, the United States and Guatemala — can choose from sessions addressing core Jewish issues in the 21st century, theater and writing workshops, multifaceted looks at Israel, Jewish history and the Jewish community, text study, and movies from the Mexican Jewish Film Festival. “Limudito,” for 6- to 12-year-olds and staffed by volunteer youth movement counselors, will offer a parallel track to the adult program.
Other Limmuds in Latin America have been held in Argentina and Brazil.
“Limmud Mexico exemplifies Jewish vibrancy in Latin America,” said Limmud International co-chair Uri Berkowitz. "This third Limmud is evidence that in Latin America, Jewish communities are booming."
The Metta Saade Foundation and ROI Community are funding Limmud Mexico.
