An Ode to Limmud, 2010

A handwritten poem titled Ode to Limmud

Ode to Limmud, c.2010, L-04-02-005

This poem was found tucked into an admin file by archivist Martin Devereux while he was cataloguing over 40 years worth of material chronicalling the history of Limmud, a Jewish community festival that started in 1980.

A hand written poem about Limmud
Ode to Limmud, c.2010, L-04-02-005

The festival started as a retreat for learning, sharing, and debate but over time, it has evolved from an adult education conference into a full-scale festival, attracting thousands each year. Someone once described it to Martin as the Jewish equivalent of Glastonbury. The debates on Jewish learning and culture still happen but now it’s also got everything from family craft workshops to silent discos alongside them.

The poem was written as a celebration of the festival and what it means to the people who attend. At first, no one knew who had written it but when it was read at a recent festival session, the author was in the audience.

It is now catalogued as part of the Limmud archive as a unique part of the festival’s history.