PICTURE RIGHT: Leigh Nudelman and Jeff Davis rehearse with the members of the Limmud SA Green choir
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Hillbrow. Probably the most cosmopolitan suburbs of Joburg. A home to many immigrant communities today, it was once home to many Jews.
Sadly, many Hillbrow residents live in trying conditions, many being unemployed, homeless and hungry, among derelict buildings and dirty streets. Building on its philosophy of community enrichment and education, LimmudSA has sought to extend its reach beyond the Jewish community into the very heart of the City of Gold.
“The ethos of Limmud emphasizes development that is participative, educational and the building of community relationships,” says Brett Wilks, regional co-chair of Limmud SA JHB. “To this end, Limmud Green (a project of LimmudSA) seeks to work together with the people of Hillbrow to create a lush, green, urban haven beautified through urban landscaping and art projects.”
Limmud Green has formed a partnership with Temple Israel to form a base in the centre of Hillbrow that will also seek to develop skills of the community, says Brett.
ENTER LIMMUD GREEN
Last Sunday Limmud Green held its inaugural event. Organised by Taryn Jacobson and Leigh Nudelman, the event built on the Limmud experience of having multiple parallel activities at any one time. Taryn, who has her own eco-design company Tiakaya Designz, organised for volunteers and Hillbrow residents to plant a wide range of flora, including some vegetables which will be used to feed members of the local community. This is part of a larger urban greening initiative, which will be used to create a sustainable environment in Hillbrow that residents want to live and participate in.
As part of the first phase of Limmud Green's programme, children of the area joined Limmud volunteers in painting a new mural. A simultaneous carpentry workshop allowed Hillbrow residents to learn skills. Two communal benches were produced for use in the newly-planted gardens.
EXPERT TUTELAGE
Under the expert tutelage of Leigh Nudelman, Hillbrow residents were given the opportunity to form a choir. Formed three weeks ago, it has seen a strong dedication by members who have been taught both vocal skills as well as the ability to follow a musical score. Jeff Davis, a participant in the choir , remarked that: ‘The choir attempts to strengthen the social bonds between us . It has helped to create a sense of self-worth and achievement in participants whose lives are often extremely difficult”
A final session included all participants taking part in a water conservation workshop.
“It was fantastic to create bonds between the Jewish community and people of Hillbrow through active learning and participation,” said Taryn and Leigh afterwards.
MORE TO COME
“Limmud looks forward to developing this project in the coming weeks, holding further skills development workshops at Temple Israel, building the choir and jointly making Hillbrow a more hospitable environment for everyone to live in,” says Brett Wilks
Anyone interested in joining the Limmud Green project or the choir can call 072 553-0164 or e-mail limmudsa@gmail.com.
For more info, see the Limmud SA website at: www.limmud.org.za.
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