* 20 April – ‘show me the honey‘
NuMa is where people are coming together for brighter Jewish and Jew-ish ideas.
Do you enjoy playing with ideas and thinking creatively about what may be? Or maybe you hear others’ suggestions and say ‘I know how to make it better’ or ‘I want to be part of making that happen’.
Do you want to get involved in Jewish activities, but it’s all a bit too formal/establishment/samey/not the Jewish that you want?
Then come along to NuMa.
NuMa is on 21 March in London
NuMa is a new event that starts with open minds. Building on the excitement and energy which reminds us of our first day at school or university, people of all ages, backgrounds, level of involvement and commitment coming to take part in innovation and to dream.
Using methods from around the world, we’ll be thinking, creating, laughing, buzzing on a whole range of topics that affect or intrigue us.
Many ideas will be enjoyed for their own sake, while others will become real projects (we’ve already got offers from incubators and funders to help).
Whether you come on your own or with others, you’ll have an amazing, energetic, memorable, exhausting and inspirational day.
Who’s behind NuMa?
NuMa is not part of any organisation … it’s very much about people, so it is an independent day, put together by a small group who wanted to create a day for intelligent, creative, inquisitive people to come together and explore ideas.
You may or may not know the people involved (and remember that one of the points is a chance to meet new people and to be amazed at what they can do … that’s why we say that some people will bring a friend, but if you bring a stranger even better). If you’re interested, the people involved include Alastair Falk, Deborah Robinson, Kevin Sefton, Lewis Westbury, Lisa Capelouto and Naomi Soetendorp, as well as major and valuable contributions, encouragement and support from many others around the world.
What does NuMa mean?
It’s formed from two words … the Yiddish ‘Nu’ (which sounds a bit like ‘New’) described by DailyWritingTips as ‘A general word that calls for a reply. It can mean So?, Huh?, Well?, What’s up? or Hello?’ and the Hebrew ‘Ma’ (pronounced as a baby would pronounce it with a short ‘a’) meaning ‘What’.
So, NuMa means ‘So/huh/well/what’s up/hello what.’
It also has echoes of the word ‘pneuma’ which refers to one’s soul or vital spirit (from the Greek word for wind).
I already have a great idea, do you want to hear it?
On the day of NuMa, we want to challenge ourselves to think outside the areas we may have already considered. It’s really about creating new ideas together rather than bringing those we already have. It’s almost like putting together a menu with the ingredients that are there on the day …
For your existing ideas, there are plenty of routes for you to take and you may find some of them at NuMa. You may have heard of them, or maybe not. They include JHub, and fellowships such as PresenTense, Paideia and ROI. And the people at the Moishe House and Jewish Social Action Forum are also keen to hear what’s going on. The JCC and LJCC are also offering opportunities for your educational or cultural projects.
Dear Wanderers,
This is an event that hopefully has the NuMa spirit at its core! The original idea was pitched in PresenTense Magazine:
http://www.presentense.org/magazine/pitch-an-idea-0
If you are able to make it, then please do book ahead (as we have just a few places left) and all being well look forward to seeing you then!
B’Shalom – David
What: Happy Givers
Where: Mayfair, London
When: Tuesday 16th March, 7:30 for 8 pm (drinks from 7:30)
Happy Givers is hosted in an opulent townhouse in Mayfair. All that is required from you is a commitment to be willing to give to some great charities – eclectic causes ranging from restoring Sefer Torahs damaged in the Holocaust to enabling poor UK Jewish students to fund university education to support for genocide widows in Rwanda. How much you donate to which charity, will be part of the fun, as the 4 presenting charities have just 6 minutes to pitch their project and persuade you to support them.
After a break, and some time to have a drink or two on the house, we will convene for the public giving spurred on by our jolly comperes.
Tickets are just £20, including a £10 donation to give to your choice of presenting charity.
To secure one of only 40 places at the event, you can book by phone by calling Fiona on 0207 794 9835 with your credit/debit card details or even easier, now book online at: http://www.tinyurl.com/happygivers2
The address will be confirmed with your ticket, and you will receive a free bottle of Peace Oil, to lubricate the giving!
Friends of Numa,
How exciting it is to read about your “nu” organization. I agree with you that we can do better re-energizing ourselves and learning together about Judaism in a way that is more accessible.
I am the president of Shalshelet (www.shalshelet.org) a foundation for New Jewish liturgical music and the Hazzan of a brand new interdenominational community called Shirat haNefesh (www.shirathanefesh.org) where we celebrate Judaism through prayer, music, learning and social action in a less formal way.
Please keep in touch. I’d love to hear what you have in mind and help contribute if you’d like me to.
le hayyim tovim ul’shalom
Ramón Tasat
Wishing you only success.
http://matisyahu.co.uk
This sounds wonderful and I am certainly interested.
Julia Pascal
Nu Mah?
Ha So!
I am interested.
My wife and I have been struggling to get a newish idea “Ohel Avraham” to work. I am currently working on “meditation for Jews” in NW London.
My wife is planning a Hebrew Grammar study group.
I’d like to get Anglo-Jewish sign-language videos up on you tube.
I also have a new DIY succah idea I am happy to propogate.
Generally, I like sparking with other people. “21 Mar 2010 in London is a bit vague. How will I find out more details?
Jonathan
I love your positiveness and dynamics. This sounds like a really interesting project that will hopefully spawn many more great projects. As the saying goes ‘ 2 Jews, 3 opinions!! It is bound to be a fun day!
Come to South Hampstead Shul one Shabbat and find me as I would love to get you to come in and have a chat with young professionals some time in the future.
Good luck for Sunday.
Regret I cannot make this Sunday due to another engagement. Hope it goes well.
I am English Jew in Spain and was unable to get to your exciting event. But I do have an idea. For people who think outside the box – we have a small contemplative community which is trying to unite Jews with an interest in contemplation and contemplative lifestyles.
It is an interdenominational and global community, but some of your UK members and friends may be interested. More info at http://www.jewishcontemplatives.blogspot.com. We are on Facebook as well at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jewish-Contemplatives/47572267363
Wishing you every success in your exciting new venture!!
Wishing you so well with your intentions. Maybe Yoga Mosaic will be of interest to paticipants. This is an international network for Jewish yoga teachers, students and organisations who are interested in exploring their roots and seeing the parallels that exist between yoga and Judaism. The site contains fascinating articles, links and a listing of teachers, classes and events. http://www.yogamosaic.org. We would gladly create a Day of Yoga for NuMa!