DressGate – and the Jewish journey

By Angela Zinn, volunteer co-chair for Limmud-Oz 2015

By now I am sure most of you would have taken sides in the infamous #dressgate affair that has flooded the Internet. Is it blue? Is it gold? What does my preference say about my soul? Have the rules of physics stopped working? Is ANYTHING REAL ANYMORE?? Even Ellen DeGenres weighed in on the conversation and conspiracy theories cropped up ranging from illuminate distraction tactics and futuristic mind games.

Blue and black?

Apart for challenging our perceptions of reality and showcasing that sometimes, even the colour of a debatably attractive dress can divide people in the most aggressive, hilarious and meaningless ways I think there is much we can take away from it, particularly as it relates to one of the most well attended, well loved and at times emotionally charged events on our communal calendar and what brings it all together, is community.

#Limmud-Oz, in many ways is like #thedress. Both exists within a complex, evolving, vocal  and at times harsh-but-oh-so-sweet communal environment. I don’t think the dress knew what was coming when it was posted online to the scrutiny and comment of an intangible mega-crowd. Limmud-Oz showcases much of our communal talent and passion and allows for un-heard voices and opinions to be heard. It’s a mega-crowd soap box with some of the most intelligent, vibrant and innovative thinkers and do-ers locally and internationally. Both communities have an opinion, about everything, and you just knows they will use their god given right to type and express themselves as they deem fit, to the dismay or joy of those around.

Or white and gold?

Like the dress, much of Limmud-Oz's success, charm and appeal is in the eyes of the beholder and in the hands of the action takers. The dress can be blue and black to one and gold and white to another- it’s your physiology and your brain that filters that information from your eyes that determines that kind of visual processing (No- really, I read about it here The Wall Street Journal even talked about it!). Limmud-Oz is what we make of it- as a team, as a community and as Jewish citizens. We are all wired differently and Limmud-Oz is the place to celebrate your colour preference for the dress, along with any other differences and opinions you might have. It is the festival of Jewish Ideas, and we invite you all to engage with it fully.

And like the dress- Limmud is a wonderful, fun and engaging break from everything else. #LimmudFever is spreading- there is really no use in resisting. 

www.limmud-oz.com.au to register your session for Limmud-Oz today.