Here are the answers to some of the questions about Limmud Festival that people have been asking, and more info on how you can get involved.
Where is Festival this year?
This year, all sessions will be under one roof in the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel.
Are you offering online access to Festival?
This year’s festival will be an in-person event. We are looking into creating an online offering for next year’s festival.
Where will I be staying?
Limmud will have exclusive use of the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel. For bookings of Full Festival (Friday-Wednesday, Short Stay (Sunday-Wednesday) or Short Stay with Saturday Night Check-in (Saturday-Wednesday), we have accommodation available at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel. If you are coming for any other days, these are Non Residential bookings and you will need to arrange your own accommodation.
Click here to see the accommodation information pages for further details.
How will I get around if I am staying off-site?
If you have driven to Festival, ample (free) parking space is available at the Hilton. The nearest coach and train station is Birmingham International Airport. Please note during the Christmas period and bank holidays, there will be a reduced service.
I’m worried that I’ll get lost!
We will have clear signage and maps on site to enable easy navigation, which we review and update every year with our enhanced knowledge and experience of running Festival on this site.
What about the programme?
The programme is shaping up to be just as amazing and engaging as ever. We have a variety of programming and social spaces to meet different needs and styles of session. From lectures, panel debates and discussions, to workshops, classes and discos, there will be something for everyone. Click here to keep an eye on our programme page for presenter announcements and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date with the latest news.
Can I present a session?
It is a core Limmud value that all presenters are participants and all participants can be presenters.
For this reason, any participant can choose to offer a session when booking their Festival place by simply checking the “I would like to present a session” box on the application form, and submitting the follow-up forms that will be automatically sent out when booking is completed. We will do our best to ensure that those who offer to present a session at Limmud Festival will be included in the programme.
The deadline for applying to present a session is 19 October 2022. For more information, please email execprogramming@limmud.org.
Is there any financial assistance available?
We promise that anyone who wishes to participate in a Limmud event can do so, as individuals and as families. We are determined to make Festival affordable for everyone.
We know that for many, these are uncertain times. While we can’t cut fuel bills and reduce food prices, we can offer the comfort of a community that everyone has been missing over the last two years.
Prices for a shared room start at £499, and you can reduce that price further by:
- Volunteering as a Festival Maker, and receiving a 50% discount on your fee. You will receive a 50% discount off the full price, in return for volunteering a max of 4 hours per day. Limmud is made by our volunteers, and as well as saving money, we will find you an enjoyable role that is critical to the smooth running of our gathering.
- Applying for a bursary. Complete a simple additional section on our application form, to apply for additional support. The deadline to apply is 12 October 2022 and all applicants will be reviewed after this date. A representative from the Limmud Office will be in contact a little after this deadline to confirm the funds Limmud are able to give towards your application and a payment plan leading up to Festival. Any requests of financial assistance received after the deadline, will be considered but are subject to remaining funds available.
- Paying through instalments leading up to Festival
- Opt for short-stay from Sunday 25 to Wednesday 28 December
- Book a non-residential place
I have additional needs, what about me?
Participant care is always central to our events – please complete the “medical, access, or other requirements” section of the application form and the Festival team will endeavour to accommodate your needs. Participants with additional needs will also be contacted before Festival to ensure their needs are met. If you have any further questions, please contact our Limmud Office by clicking here to email office@limmud.org.
I’m coming with my children, what about my family’s needs?
Every year at Festival, families make up a vital part of the event. Children are the future of Limmud and we love seeing them around the site. This year will be different to previous years as everyone, families included, will be staying under one roof in the main venue. Click here to visit our families page to find out more about bringing your children to Limmud Festival 2019.
What will Shabbat at Festival be like?
Shabbat at Limmud Festival is always a more relaxed affair. It’s a great chance to get settled in, meet people and ease yourself into the programme.
Click here to find out more about Shabbat at Limmud Festival here.
What if I can’t come for the whole event?
This year we will be offering the option to attend Limmud Sunday to Wednesday plus an early Saturday night check in, as well as flexible non-residential day places. Please click here to see the pricing page for all available options for this year.
I’m worried about security at the event
As in previous years, Limmud Festival will be supported by the Community Security Trust (CST) who will be working closely with our firm SQR who are providing 24/7 security throughout our event. The CST and SQR are working closely with West Midlands Police and the NEC security, whom we have met with as part of our Festival planning. You can help our security team to help us, by always wearing your Limmud ID badge, and by ensuring you do not leave any unattended items around the site.
Sounds great, how can I get involved and help?
Limmud is run almost entirely by volunteers, and we’ll need lots of people to help with all aspects of the event. There are plenty of ways to get involved either before or during Festival. You can do everything from helping to direct people around the hotel on the first day of Festival, to coordinating all the plans for families, and everything in between – there are lots of ways you can get involved. Click here to check out our volunteering options.
Can I bring my pets?
As much as we believe that Limmud should be for everyone, unfortunately this does not yet extend to pets. Only registered service dogs will be permitted on site and please let us know if you are bring one. So, please make suitable arrangements for other pets to be cared for whilst you are away.