LimmudFest concludes successful weekend
By ALAN SMASON
After three days of Shabbat worship and Jewish studies concentrated on the campus of Congregation Gates of Prayer in Metairie and the Uptown Jewish Community Center, organizers of the LimmudFest New Orleans announced they were pleased with the first post-COVID in-person gathering, typically held every two years.
Limmud North America CEO Rabbi David Singer, left, addresses the LimmudFest NOLA audience on Sunday, March 19 at the JCC. LimmudFest NOLA founder Gail Chalew is at rear. (Photo by Alan Smason)
The numbers of attendees was down slightly from its previous high five years ago in 2018. The 2020 series was cancelled due to the initial shutdown from COVID that prevented in-person gatherings and the follow-up 2022 series was a virtual online event.
There were close to 300 people attending the three-day series of learning sessions, according to LimmudFest New Orleans founder Gail Chalew.
New Orleans is the smallest North American city to host a Limmud event, but it is the only one under which all three major faith branches of Judaism gather together and pray at the same time. Friday night Shabbat services were held for Reform, Conservative and Orthodox worship.
A Friday night Kiddush dinner catered by Dvash Catering was then held at the Gates of Prayer Social Hall followed by a tisch of several Limmud participants and organizers.
Following religious services on Shabbat morning, a kosher dairy lunch also catered by Dvash was given for participants. That was followed by an afternoon filled with learning sessions and capped off by a traditional third meal and Havdalah services.
The event continued on Sunday, March 19, at the Uptown JCC, beginning at 9:00 a.m. After morning sessions were finished, a kosher lunch with catering by Kosher Cajun Delicatessen was held. During the break, Chalew welcomed attendees and introduced Limmud North America CEO Rabbi David Singer, who addressed the crowd.
Following afternoon sessions, the event concluded at 5:00 p.m.
Pictures from the Sunday sessions are here:
