Yom Limmud 2025

We are excited to have you join us for our Reviving Midrash with Rabbi Paul Citrin, Barish Shabbat Limmud Scholar in Residence on February 14, 2025 to February 16, 2025. Rabbi Citrin will guide us through engaging sessions on Jewish thought, values, and the art of Midrash, weaving ancient texts into modern relevance. There are multiple events for you to attend throughout this weekend. Please see the Program Information below, and be sure to register for each event you plan to attend. There is a separate registration link below to attend Yom Limmud, presented by the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, on Sunday, February 16. 

This weekend has been made possible in part through the generosity of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston Barish Shabbat Limmud grant.

Sponsorship Opportunities are available. Please see below for more details: 

Weekend Programming Schedule

Shabbat Evening, February 14, 2025 - "Organic Torah and the Tower of Babel": 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Shabbat Dinner & Presentation (Shabbat Services will be at 6:30 pm followed by Shabbat Dinner and Presentation) at the Merfish Teen Center - 9000 S. Rice Avenue 

•  Explore Genesis 11, the story of the Tower of Babel, as a biblical midrash. Discover how interpretations have evolved over time and what values this story conveys to us today.

Shabbat Morning, February 15, 2025 - "Moses’ Mishpocha" (the whole mishpucha is welcome!): No charge for this event. Donations encouraged. 9:00 am - 10:30 am  at Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism - 801 Bering Dr.

• Families are welcome to this session focusing on Moses’ relationship with his father-in-
  law, Jethro. Learn how Midrash sheds light on relationships between Jews and gentiles and the lessons they hold for us today.

Saturday Evening, February 15, 2025 - "Create Your own Midrash": No charge for this event. Donations encouraged. 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm  at the home of Anna and Brad Eastman (address will be provided upon RSVP).

• Engage in small group discussions to create your own midrash based on selected biblical texts.

Yom Limmud, presented by the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, Sunday Morning February 16, 2025 - "Reviving Midrash": 11:30 am at Congregation Beth Yeshurun - 4525 Beechnut St. This registration is separate from CSK's. To register for this Session, please visit the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston Yom Limmud website by clicking HERE.

• Explore how Jewish literature addresses modern issues such as civil society, decency, and truth. Rabbi Citrin will also discuss his novel, Isaac Unbound: A Life of Reconciliation, and the creative process behind it.

Paul J. Citrin is a native of Los Angeles and a third generation Californian. He was ordained a rabbi by the Hebrew Union College in 1973. The focus of his rabbinate has always been in congregational life. His passions are education, interfaith dialogue, Israel and social justice. He is the author of two children’s books, one a novel and one a prayer book for young people. He has written three books for adults on contemporary issues, Jewish theology, and a memoir on his own spiritual development. He is married to Susan Morrison Citrin. They have four children and eight grandchildren. Rabbi Citrin, retired in Albuquerque, continues to teach adults at a variety of venues in the state. Hiking, biking, writing and travel are among his favorite celebrations.

This weekend has been made possible in part through the generosity of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston Barish Shabbat Limmud grant.