For more than 30 years, Yom Limmud has been a cornerstone of Jewish communal life in Houston, bringing together learners of all ages for the city’s largest annual day of Jewish study. This year’s gathering emphasizes both the breadth of voices shaping Jewish learning and the enduring power of coming together as a community.
“I’m especially excited by the caliber and diversity of voices coming together from around the world,” said Yom Limmud co-chair Josh Barvin. “There’s something powerful about hearing Jewish ideas expressed through so many lenses.”
That sense of shared purpose feels particularly resonant this year, when the community will come together for Yom Limmud on Sunday, Feb. 15 from 8:30-3:45 p.m. The location will be provided upon registration at houstonjewish.org/yomlimmud.
“Communal Jewish learning has always mattered, but it feels especially vital right now,” co-chair Hilary Cohen told the JHV. “When so much of our attention is pulled toward rising antisemitism and other challenges, learning together grounds us in the values and ideas that sustain us. A shared day of learning is a reminder of the foundations that have carried the Jewish people through difficult moments – and that will continue to guide us in the days ahead.”
This year’s theme, B’Yachad – Together, reflects a conscious shift toward unity and Jewish joy after a period marked by grief and uncertainty.
“The last couple of years have felt really heavy,” said Sarah Williams, vice president of Education at the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston. “Post-Oct. 7 [2023], our theme was resilience. This year is really about coming together and celebrating the need for and impact of Jewish learning.”
Inclusivity remains central to Yom Limmud’s mission. Williams told the JHV that programming is intentionally designed to reach participants across ages, identities and learning styles.
“We want traditional Torah learning, research-style sessions, programming for parents of young children, offerings for the Israeli community and spaces where everyone – regardless of background or age or life stage – feels included,” Williams said. “There’s literally something for everyone.”
That breadth is reflected in this year’s lineup. Among the featured presenters is Salvador Litvak, known as “The Accidental Talmudist” and the director, writer and producer of the film “Guns and Moses.” He will bring humor and storytelling into Jewish text learning. “He brings comedy back into the classroom,” Williams said, “which feels especially important as we focus on Jewish joy.”
Israeli photographer Debbie Zemelman will present her work documenting women serving on the front lines of the Israel Defense Forces during the war. “Her photography sheds light on stories many people haven’t seen,” Williams noted. “It’s going to be incredibly powerful.”
One of the most immersive sessions, “Survived to Tell – Be the Witness” uses virtual reality to amplify firsthand survivor testimonies from the Oct. 7 massacre. Led by Aviv Kurnas, the experience places participants inside key locations where events unfolded, offering a deeply personal perspective. Williams said the session may resonate particularly with high school and college-age participants seeking new ways to engage with recent history.
Yom Limmud offers nearly 40 classes spanning six major categories: Israel and Jewish Peoplehood; Jewish Values; Torah and Spirituality; Advocacy and Activism; Combating Antisemitism and Building Awareness; and Jewish Creativity, Learning and Personal Growth.
Additional highlights include a session on Jewish-African-American partnerships inspired by the legacy of Julius Rosenwald and a workshop on the importance of creative, child-led play led by play expert Jill Wood.
Families with young children can participate through PJ Library Family Event at Yom Limmud, which offers an interactive session designed for children and caregivers to experience together.
“It’s a way for families to feel part of the day together, but also engage at their own levels,” Williams said.
Williams framed Yom Limmud within the broader Jewish commitment to lifelong learning. “Jews go through the entire Torah each year because every year we are a different person. The Torah stays the same, but we change,” she said. “Learning together allows us to grow as individuals and as a community.”
As a communal institution, Williams sees the Federation’s role as convener, funder, connector and innovator. “Yom Limmud is a place where we do all four,” she said. “People keep coming back because it has a lasting impact, and we keep reinventing it to meet the needs of our evolving community.”
The day will conclude with a Community Voices session, featuring local participants sharing how Jewish learning has shaped their lives – an embodiment of the belief that the community grows stronger when its members show up for one another.
To register for Yom Limmud, go to houstonjewish.org/yomlimmud.
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