Presenter FAQs
SOME MORE FAQs
There is a wealth of information about Limmud Conference 2007 on this website.Below, you will find answers to some of the questions which might be particularly relevant to you as a presenter, arranged under the following headings:
DECIDING TO COME
Who runs Limmud Conference?
Limmud Conference is just one of the events through the year that is run by Limmud. Limmud is an independent organisation, unattached to any denominational movement or Jewish institutional organisation, and is run almost entirely by volunteers.
The Conference has a 30-person strong Programming Team who are responsible for putting together the Conference Programme. The team is comprised solely of volunteers, who carry this out in their spare time, so we apologise in advance for any delays in replying to your correspondence. If you wish to contact the Programming Team, you can email them on conf07-programming@limmud.org
Who attends Limmud Conference?
Jews of all ages and religious orientations, from the UK and all around the world. Only a small minority of participants work professionally for the Jewish community - most are simply interested in learning.
Does Limmud pay honoraria?
Unfortunately not. Limmud is dependent on the dedication of its volunteers, and a very small budget. The participatory ethos of the Conference means that nearly a fifth of participants will be giving sessions, and the vast majority of these will be paying their own way. Limmud is only able to cover flight and registration costs for a small number of overseas presenters.
What if I want to bring my children?
Limmud Conference includes a full programme to cater for 200 children of all ages, run by a team of experienced and dedicated youth leaders, a crèche for the youngest children, and a babysitting service in the evenings - but please note that places for children fill up very rapidly.
Each child's place at Conference is already heavily subsidised, so unfortunately we are unable to assist any further with the costs of family members.
What can you tell me about accommodation and food at Limmud Conference?
Accommodation is on the university campus, and is comfortable. Towels and bed linen are provided.
Experienced Kosher caterers supply the food. Vegetarian options are available, and other special dietary needs can also be catered for. Two hot meals are served every day, with salads and fresh fruit available at every meal. Sandwiches are also available at lunchtime.
What is the weather like in Coventry?
In December, the outdoor temperature typically ranges between -2 and +5 degrees Celsius (28-41 degrees Fahrenheit). There may be snow or rain too. However, unless you decide to go for a walk, you will rarely need to spend more than 10 minutes outside, as all the buildings we use are located close to each other.
What do people wear at Limmud Conference?
Just as there is no typical age or religious orientation at Limmud, there's no dress code either. Most people dress casually. Some but not all men (and a few women) cover their heads with hats or kippot. You will feel perfectly fine wearing whatever you usually wear.
How will I get to Conference?
Most presenters from the UK either travel to Warwick on the Limmud coaches from London or Manchester, or choose to drive themselves. Limmud can only help with travel arrangements for UK presenters in exceptional circumstances; please email the office. if you need our help.
If you are coming from outside the UK, and we have agreed to meet some or all of your travel costs, you will be contacted individually by our Presenter Travel team to discuss your transportation requirements. If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact the team.
When should I arrive and leave?
In order to get the full Limmud experience, we really recommend that you attend the whole of the Conference. We do hope that you are able to go for this option, as much for your own enjoyment as for the benefit of Limmud.
If you are coming for the pre-Conference Shabbat, you will need to reach Warwick well before Shabbat comes in (which will be at around 3.30pm).
We hope you will be able to stay until the end of Limmud Conference, on Thursday 27 December.
What happens at the pre-Conference Shabbat and should I attend?
Shabbat at Limmud Conference has a very special atmosphere, with a more relaxed and intimate feel than the main Conference. It is a chance to ease in, attend a few sessions, and start to make friends before the rest of the 2,000 participants arrive and the pace quickens. There is only room for about 350 people at the pre-Conference Shabbat, so if you are interested in coming, please let us know as soon as possible.
Now I've decided to come what do I do next?
You will need to fill in an application form, when they are available, a presenter form, and a session form for each session you do (for more information on the forms click here).
PREPARING TO TEACH
What type of sessions are given at Limmud Conference?
Sessions run all day, taking a wide variety of formats - from lectures to workshops, debates to exercise classes, performances to panels - and covering all areas of Jewish life. The Session Form gives some examples of the subjects covered, but this is by no means exhaustive.
How long should my session last?
Most sessions last 70 minutes, with a few lasting longer.
How many sessions may I give?
If you are among those presenters whose Conference fees we are paying for, we will normally expect you to teach four sessions. We may additionally ask you if you would like to participate in one of our panel discussions.
If you have been invited to present, we would normally ask you to do two or three sessions; if you would like to do more, please speak to your programming team contact.
If you are a volunteer presenter we will normally restrict you to two sessions, to enable us to manage the size of the programme for the benefit of all participants.
How many people will attend my session?
That is impossible to tell. The best way to encourage people to attend your sessions is to make sure that the titles and descriptions which you provide for the Programme Handbook are interesting and attractive to the prospective audience. Having said that, most session rooms hold 50-100 people, so if you think your session may attract many more or less than that, or if you want to restrict the numbers attending for some other reason, do indicate this on the Session Form.
How many other sessions will be on at the same time as mine?
Depending on the time of day, there may be anything from 5 to 20 sessions taking place simultaneously.
What knowledge of Hebrew/Talmud/Jewish knowledge should I expect from people attending my sessions?
Participants at Limmud Conference come from across the entire Jewish spectrum in terms of background, experience and knowledge. So as not to exclude anyone, we recommend that handouts be accessible to those with a limited knowledge of Hebrew and texts, and that you supply texts in translation wherever possible. If a particular session does require more advanced knowledge in a particular area, or proficiency in Hebrew, please indicate this clearly on the Session Form, so that the session can be identified as such in the Programme Handbook.
Can I give a series of linked sessions?
Yes, certainly - we encourage linked sessions, as they enable you to teach in greater depth. We refer to these series of sessions as 'Intensives', and try to programme them at the same time and place every day (Monday-Thursday) through Conference.
If you decide to offer a series of linked sessions, but each session in the series can also be attended on its own (ie without having attended the previous sessions), do make sure to make this clear in the session description.
What other types of sessions are there?
As well as straightforward lectures, there are a whole variety of types of sessions - workshops, panel debates, art classes, music jam sessions - and specific session tracks, such as our Tell-me-text project, Introduction sessions, Advanced sessions, and so on.
LOGISTICS AT CONFERENCE
How can I tell you about the resources and equipment I need for my sessions?
There is space on the Session Form to notify us of any resources you require. There are tick-boxes for those resources which are most commonly requested, and a space for you to write in any special resource requests.
Will siddurim/chumashim be available for my sessions?
We only have a small number of these available, so please only request them if you really will need to refer to significant sections. If you only require a small number of passages, we can provide photocopies for you, if you let us know in advance (see below).
Will you photocopy my handouts for me?
If you can bring your own copies with you that would be enormously helpful, since photocopying facilities at Conference are very limited. If you are not able to make copies yourself, you can send them to the Limmud Office, and we will be able to produce a small number of copies for you. We can also make acetate copies for use with an overhead projector (OHP). We will let you know nearer the time what the deadline is for requesting copies.
I am a musician - will there be sound technicians to help me set up?
We have experienced professional technicians who can do soundchecks before your performance and will be present throughout to ensure things run smoothly. If you require live amplification (eg a PA system), tick the appropriate box on the Session Form.
May I sell my books/CDs at Conference?
Yes, please let us know if you would like to bring any materials to be sold at the Conference Bookshop. For books, please give the titles and ISBNs in the space provided on the Presenter Form. We can not guarantee to be able to get hold of them, but we will do our best.
Can I distribute information about my organisation at Conference?
You are welcome to bring a small number of flyers and other printed matter to Conference, and these will be displayed along with those from other organisations on a table in the Exhibition area. We request that you do not distribute these at sessions. If your organisation would like to have its own stand in the Exhibition area, please get in touch with the Limmud office on mailto:office@limmud.org