The Limmud International Study: Jewish Learning Communities on a Global Scale

Published: 
Dec. 03, 2011

Source: Berman Jewish Policy Archive

 

Limmud, a Jewish education initiative, has grown from a small UK-based conference for 80 participants, to an international movement comprising annual events in more than 50 locations world-wide, reaching over 30,000 individuals per year. Until now, there has not been an attempt at a rigorous comparison across the different national Limmud groups to gain an understanding of the impact of participation. Topics covered by this survey include: Jewish identity, Jewish involvement, the Limmud experience, and impact of the program.

Methodology:

  • More than 3,000 respondents from 49 Limmud locations around the world answered an internet survey.
  • Survey included demographic and personal details; exposure to and engagement with, Limmud; personal and community Jewish journeys.
  • Survey was developed collaboratively
  • Survey was translated from English into key languages to ensure maximum response: Hebrew, Russian, French and Spanish. Volunteers from the Limmud International community undertook this task.

From the Executive Summary:

  • At least 60% in all country groupings have been to a non-Limmud Jewish learning event since attending a Limmud group event.
  • Up to 24% of all respondents have set up a new Jewish initiative, group or organisation since first participating in Limmud.
  • Learning is cited as the primary motivation for attending Limmud, more than for social reasons.
  • The vast majority of all respondents is very satisfied with their Limmud experience and are very likely to recommend it.
  • The majority of Limmudniks state that Limmud has had a positive impact on their lives, particularly in the areas of Jewish learning, sense of Jewish identity and connection to other Jews.
  • Many respondents acknowledged the importance of Limmud as a way of connecting to the global Jewish world.
  • Many respondents acknowledged the importance of Limmud events as nondenominational and greatly diverse.
Updated: Dec. 27, 2011
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