Limmud Festival is #madebyyou. One of Limmud’s core values is that participation and volunteerism go hand in hand. We believe that we are all responsible for each other and for the communities we create, and we know that everyone has an important contribution to make. This year we are encouraging all our participants to build our Limmud Festival community through diverse and inclusive volunteering opportunities.
Festival Maker
One of the ways that Limmud Festival is made by you is through our volunteering scheme for all. In return for attending Festival at a reduced price, you can contribute meaningfully to the running of Festival by undertaking a maximum of four hours of volunteering each day.
This year our scheme will focus on building a community of volunteers whilst also promoting opportunities for personal development, building on your skills and experience within Limmud and beyond. Alongside your volunteering, there will be social events to meet new people and feel part of a community.
Baby Listening
What is it?
Our team of baby listeners are responsible for monitoring a number of rooms on an allocated corridor to help ensure that settled-in-bed or sleeping children are safe and well. Baby listeners will encourage children to go back to bed if they wake up, or contact parents directly if their child(ren) do not settle. A DBS checked is required but Limmud can organise this at no charge to our volunteers via the Limmud Office.
When is it?
Shifts will be from approximately 7.30pm until 10.30pm. If you’re a night owl, you will be able to enjoy late night programming after this time.
The Joys
Our baby listeners see this as a great opportunity to get to daytime sessions, enjoy a little peace and quiet (we hope), with a few other volunteers in the evening, and then get back to main Festival to enjoy the late night activities. If you enjoy a chat and some games with like-minded volunteers, value a quiet space to relax with a good book or need to catch up on some studying or work, baby listening may be the role for you.
What are the challenges?
Our baby listeners need to stay bright eyed until late into the evening, so this role may suit you if you’re a night owl, but may be more of a challenge for early birds who prefer to be up and out at dawn and tucked up in bed at dusk.
Bar
What is it?
Want to help give the evenings a great atmosphere? Come and join us on the bar! You may be working until the early hours but you’ll always be surrounded by good music and great people. What more could you want from Limmud? No prior experience necessary as full training is provided.
Shifts range from early evening until the early hours.
The Joys
This is our most popular volunteering role! Limmudniks from all walks of life visit the bar during Festival, so this is the perfect role for a sociable night owl! Bar tending is also a great transferable skill.
The Challenges
The bar is a hive of activity, so expect to be busy throughout your shift. Accessibility note: You will need to stay on your feet and be alert late into the night.
Dining Room
What is it?
We know that Jews love to eat, and as a dining room volunteer you will get to help feed and water Limmudniks on a daily basis – what could be more important? You will be responsible for helping to manage the queues, assist participants with accessibility or dietary requirements and to be a welcoming face to our many hungry participants. You will not be required to cook or serve food as part of this role.
When is it?
Mealtimes! Dining room shifts will be during breakfast, lunch and/or dinner.
The Joys
This is your chance to interact with hundreds of participants, help a crucial part of Festival run smoothly, and have fun whilst doing it. This is a great option if you like to experience all aspects of the programme, as your shifts are likely to be different each day, meaning you can enjoy morning, afternoon and evening sessions. If you are assertive, can use your initiative and keep calm under pressure, come and join us!
What are the challenges?
You will need to be organised and efficient to get those hungry participants to their dinner. Accessibility note: you may be required to be on your feet for lengthy periods.
Café and Shop
What is it?
Do you have excellent customer service skills? In this role, you will be selling refreshments, toiletries, books and Limmud souvenirs. Volunteers in this role will be operating a till, handling cash and card payments, and brewing hot drinks. Training will be provided.
When is it?
The cafe and shop are open throughout the day, closing before dinner and evening programming.
The Joys
Our cafe volunteers offer a friendly face to participants between sessions and for those who have chosen to take a break in a quieter space. Barista skills are really useful in everyday life! This role is great if you like a busy day and an evening to enjoy everything that Festival has to offer.
What are the challenges?
You will need to meet the demands of busy periods in between sessions and participants who are in a rush to get from one place to another.
Madrich/a:
What is it?
Madrichim/ot are youth leaders who work as a team to ensure that every child attending Young and Teen Limmud (YTL) has a fantastic experience in a safe and inclusive environment.
Note: this option is open to anyone aged 17+ and is separate from the Festival Maker scheme.
The YTL team writes and runs their own Peulot (sessions) that can be about anything- from science to Israeli politics, and music to volunteering. Madrichim/ot will assist experienced presenters in running their sessions for the YTL programme. All volunteer working with children will need a DBS check, which will be arranged and funded via Limmud.
When is it?
You’ll need to be available for the entirety of Festival (Friday 23 – Wednesday 28 December and for our YTL weekend retreat, which takes place in November.
The Joys
You’ll receive a heavily subsidised place with a shared room in the Hilton for the entirety of Festival (including Shabbat). This is a great opportunity to get to know people and work as a team to build a programme for our youngest participants.
Once YTL finishes for the day, you are free to enjoy the Festival programme at your leisure.
What are the challenges?
You will be suited to this role if you are enthusiastic and are prepared to get a little (or a lot) messy! You’ll also need to be comfortable in being on your feet for most of the day, thinking on the spot and being a bit silly as you nurture the next generation of Limmudnik!
If you enjoy working with children, work well in a team and are interested in attending Limmud Festival 2022 as a Madrich/a or Rosh in YTL, please email our Festival Chair, Jonathan Robinson at festival22-chair@limmud.org.
Families and Young and Teen Limmud
What is it?
This team of volunteers help families in two key ways:
- Nightclub: They’ve been busy all day but they’re still full of energy! Help us to give our older children and tweens a chilled evening with games, arts and crafts and films.
- Young and Teen Limmud (YTL): Support our experienced Madrichim (youth leaders) to provide a varied, exciting and interactive programme for our young participants, aged 5-17. This role may include supporting young participants with diverse backgrounds, interests and needs. All volunteers working with children will need a DBS check, arranged and funded via Limmud.
When is it?
There will be shifts throughout the day and early evening.
The Joys
This role is great if you love working with children (and the grown ups they have in tow). It is a great way to meet like-minded participants, to bring out your inner child, and to talent spot the Limmud co-chairs of the future!
What are the challenges?
You will be suited to this role if you are enthusiastic and are prepared to get a little bit messy.
Helpdesk
What is it?
Helpdesk volunteers are the friendly face of Limmud Festival. You will answer queries from participants and liaise with other teams to resolve any challenges that arise during Festival. Questions could also be anythingn from where the next session will be, to how to contact a first aiders.
When is it?
Shifts times will be range between 9am and 10pm (no more than 4 hours per day).
The Joys
This is a brilliant way to learn the inner workings of Limmud Festival! The helpdesk handbook is your best friend and your helpdesk managers will be a constant source of support.
The Challenges
You’ll be asked all the questions about Limmud Festival that you’ve ever thought of and more! This role is great for multi-taskers who can keep calm in challenging situations.
Registration
What is it?
This will involve registering participants upon arrival, answering queries and kickstarting their Limmud journey.
When is it?
The busiest periods will be on Friday afternoon and Sunday morning when most participants arrive. There will also be shifts at various times during the rest of the week.
The Joys
This is a great way to welcome participants to Limmud and make them feel at ease when they first arrive. Accessibility note: Perfect for those who prefer a seated role.
The Challenges
This is a role that requires fast and efficient working, as the registration queue can be lengthy at times. especially when coaches arrive
Nursery
What is it?
Limmud Nursery provides daytime care for children aged 4 years and under. You must love toys, songs, arts and crafts, dressing up and – of course – small people! Come and join our lively, dedicated team, make new friends and help care for some of the most inspiring participants at Festival. Experience not necessary, enthusiasm essential! All volunteer working with children will need a DBS check, arranged and funded via Limmud.
When is it?
There will be morning and afternoon shifts.
The Joys
Bond with our youngest participants and help them take their next step (or toddle) on their Jewish journey. A nice way to meet like-minded volunteers and have evenings free. Room leaders will take care of nappy changes and other personal care.
The Challenges
You will be suited to this role if you are enthusiastic and are prepared to get a little (or a lot) messy! Accessibility note: might need to be have to be able to bend down and comfortably sit on the floor.
Presenter Care
What is it?
The presenters at Festival provide incredible learning experience for all participants. From time to time, presenters need assistance with preparing their sessions. You will provide essential support, such as advising on timing, directing presenters to session rooms and offering support with handouts. You may also be drafted in to help host our social programming sessions, from board games to quizzes, five aside football to challah baking.
The Joys
A great opportunity to meet presenters and ask that sneaky question that there wasn’t time for in the session. (Accessibility note): Perfect for those who prefer a seated role.
The Challenges
You will need to be a good communicator and help troubleshoot presenter queries in a timely manner.
Resources
What is it?
In this role you will organise and deliver resources to session rooms and provide basic tech support where required.
You’ll need to quickly familiarise yourself with the site, and your technical prowess and quick thinking will be a huge advantage to tackle the day-to-day running of the Limmud Resources room.
When is it?
This role has shifts throughout the day and into the evening.
The Joys
You’ll be the knight in shining armour to all our presenters and volunteers. Great for a person who enjoys being busy, problem solving and being part of a team.
The Challenges
You will need to be able to keep calm in pressured situations. Communication and problem-solving skills are essential. Accessibility Note: You should be able to carry light to moderate loads across site.