"Be Your Own Jew" is the theme of Limmud SE + Atlanta, a Jewish cultural yard sale taking place Saturday and Sunday at Oglethorpe University.

Writers, artists, educators, musicians and filmmakers will conduct more than 80 workshops on everything from crafts and exercise to mysticism and politics. Most of the workshop leaders are local and all are volunteers, and the festival's Web site (www.limmudse.org) promises that the event will be "informal, inspirational and unforgettable."

"Somebody called it a cross between Woodstock and a Phish concert," says Nina Rubin, who is handling publicity for the event.

Limmud, which means "learning" in Hebrew, began 28 years ago as an attempt to unify the Jewish community in England. That experiment has grown to a week-long, residential gathering each winter, and a three-day summer event.

The Limmud movement has begun making inroads in this country, as well, with events in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. This will be Atlanta's first, and Rubin says the organizers hope to make it an annual event.

"The idea is to be your own Jew," Rubin says. "We want to meet you where you are. There are no membership cards, no principles, no points of view. We want you to come with an open mind, come with curiosity, come to learn, come to be inspired.

The program begins Saturday evening at 7:30 in the Conant Performing Arts Center with a one-man play, "Walking in Memphis," about growing up Jewish in the South.

The play will be followed by "Another Night" of Ballyhoo, a party commemorating the "ballyhoos" of the 1930s and '40s when Jewish teenagers converged on Atlanta to socialize. It includes "Taste of Limmud" with schmoozing, drinks, food and remarks by Rob Kutner, an Atlantan and a writer for "The Daily Show."

The workshops, which are open to the public, begin Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and run until 6:30 p.m. There will also be a series of free workshops for teenagers Sunday afternoon. A sampling of the workshops:

> What Madonna Doesn't Know: A user-friendly introduction to Kabbalah: Teacher, writer, speaker and activist Jeff Salkin answers the musical question, "Is Kabbalah just another spiritual fad, or does it have something to teach us about God, history, the world and ourselves?"

> The Paradoxes of Southern Jewish Identity: Eric Goldstein explores the duality of the Southern Jewish experience —- tolerance and inclusion on the one hand; violence, distrust and prejudice on the other —- and their impact on Jewish life.

> Independent, Jewish, Frankly Feminist: Where do we go from here? Susan Weidman Schneider, the founding mother of Lilith magazine, boldly plumbs the hearts and minds of Jewish women on everything from their bodies and spirituality, to company boardrooms and family politics.

> Moses in a Megachurch: How a year with Jesus made me a better Jew: Journalist Benyamin Cohen tried to cure his spiritual apathy by marrying a minister's daughter and helping himself to a smorgasbord of religious experiences. He attended Christian churches, music festivals and a wrestling event, went door to door with Mormon missionaries and hung out with Trappist monks. Not only did he emerge a better Jew, it also got him a book contract.

> Dig in with Farmer D: Get the dirt on Farmer D's latest projects: Farmer D —- Daron Joffe —- dishes on organic farming, technical gardening advice, sustainability, Jewish informal education and social injustice. He also tosses in some richly composted comments on environmental issues at no extra charge.

LIMMUD SE + ATLANTA

> Where: Oglethorpe University, 4484 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta

> When: Saturday, 7:30-11 p.m.; Sunday, 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

> Cost: $45 ($25 for students) includes refreshments and entertainment Saturday night; a box lunch (if you register before Feb. 28) and snacks Sunday.

> Registration: www.limmudse.org.

> Child care: Sunday, ages 1 to 11. $10.

> Information: 404-524-1757 or limmudATL@gmail.com