(JTA) — British attorney David Hoffman has been appointed the new chairman of the global Limmud network and organization.
Hoffman, who has held many Limmud leadership positions since 2005, will succeed Kevin Sefton at the end of the year, the Limmud board of trustees announced Monday.
Hoffman, a commercial barrister, human rights law author and occasional rock musician, has revived Limmud Manchester, co-chaired Limmud Fest and served on the board of directors, among other positions. As immediate past chair of Limmud International, the team supporting Limmud groups outside the United Kingdom, he presided over its expansion, especially in the Far East and Latin America, the organization said in a statement.
There are over 80 Limmud organizations in 43 countries. The volunteer-based Jewish learning festival debuted in England more than 25 years ago and has spread to dozens of cities around the world.
“The Jewish world recognizes Limmud as a leader in engaging Jews across generations, affiliations — and non-affiliation — and international borders,” Hoffman said in a statement. “My goal is to build upon and expand Limmud’s unique strengths in training young leaders, convening Jews of all stripes, and fostering discussion and debate. We will continue to spread Limmud’s model of celebrating all things Jewish here in the UK and wherever there are Jews, inspiring them to move forward in their Jewish journeys.”
Sefton at the end of his term will have served three years as the Limmud chairman.
