Email no 21 - 20 December - The journey begins

A little early this week. I'm busy on Friday.

Well then. WE'RE HERE!

The set-up team's been arriving throughout the day, the university and caterer have been fabulous, handbooks have been sent out to those who pre-ordered them, packs have been stuffed, YADs have been assigned (good to see you on Sunday), signage is up, the kitchen's being scrubbed, the eruv (Shabbat boundary) is built, presenters are landing, bar and social areas are breathtaking, the newspaper's being prepared and there is a wonderful art collection ready to go into our gallery.

A new site, but it most definitely feels like Limmud. We're going to love it.

TIPS FROM THE EARLY ARRIVALS

If arriving from London, once off the motorway keep driving till you see something that looks like Nottingham (you'll know what we mean if you've been to Conference in recent years), then follow signs for the Warwick Arts Centre.
Bring hangers - there aren't any in the rooms.

NUMBERS - MAKING MEMORIES

2,227. Plus further categories of participant to add in. It happens to be the largest Conference in Limmud's history. (We're double checking our room lists as we're very close to being 'sold out'.)

Numbers and records can always be broken. It's memories that last.  It's now up to us to help everyone feel welcome and to get a sense of experiencing something a little special.

VOLUNTEERS' BRIEFING

We'll have short volunteer introductions at 2pm on Friday and 2.20pm on Sunday (room details at registration, YADs briefing at the same time). Please aim to be here by these times or earlier if you've been given other information for your role. A chance to find out what's on, and where you can lend a hand at making sure we get off to the best possible start.

TORAH L'AM - JANUARY - LONDON http://www.limmud.org/volunteers/torahlam/

Thanks Charles Darwish and Daniel Musikant for arranging this wonderful course just for Conference 2007 volunteers in early January. Please take a look and sign up - just 16 places!

VOLUNTEER PARTY AFTER CONFERENCE - 29 December

Just put a note in your diary. 29 December, 7pm till late. Freemasons Arms. 32 Downshire Hill, Hampstead Heath, London NW3 1NT (anyone wanting to dial in on Skype - let me know ... we don't want to be too London-centric).

I've received this one twice (what does it say about volunteers?):
Q: What is the difference between a duck?
A: One of its legs is both the same.

And leftover from a couple of weeks ago:
Q: When is a teaspoon like a good book?
A: When it's intearesting

I'm looking forward to seeing you in the next few days.

Kevin