‘Big tent’ Jewish festival to come to campus

Limmud, a weekend festival of what organizers call “big tent” Jewish learning, arts, culture and spirituality, is coming to New Orleans March 18–20. During the weekend, more than 80 sessions — all planned by volunteers — will allow participants to learn and explore topics from traditional to progressive.

Limmudfest, which takes place at Congregation Gates of Prayer in Metairie on Friday, March 18, at 5 p.m. and Saturday, March 19, continues all day on Sunday, March 20, at the Lavin-Bernick Center on the Tulane University uptown campus.

LimmudFest offers programming for people of all ages and levels of experience with Jewish learning. Local, national and international speakers will tackle topics such as Southern Jewish life, Israel, text and thought, history, art and culture (including food), social justice, family, contemporary Jewish life and spirituality. In addition, there will be children’s programming.

Among the speakers and presenters are several people with Tulane affiliations, including:

• Mia Bagneris, assistant professor of art history, will speak on Kehinde Wiley, a New York-based painter who is known for his naturalistic portraits of people with brown skin in heroic poses.

• Melanie Ehrlich, professor of human genetics in the Tulane School of Medicine, will present a session on Yiddish for kids.

• London Baker and Sara Luberto, interns in the Tulane University Dietetic Internship Program, will discuss making traditional Jewish foods healthier.

• Daniella Santoro, a PhD candidate in anthropology, will present a lecture and demonstration on the Jewish roots of flamenco music.

• Betty Lazarus, an adjunct lecturer in the School of Continuing Studies, will present cooking for Passover.

• Rick Jacobs, who teaches in the School of Continuing Studies, is leading a session on the Israeli War of Independence.

• Becca Margolis, a recent Tulane graduate, is an urban farmer who will be talking about soil.

A three-day adult pass is $90 and a three-day young adult (18–30) pass is $50 with advance registration. Kosher meals and snacks are included in the registration fee.