Become a Limmud Presenter

Limmud presenters are as diverse as Jewish Seattleites - experts in a variety of fields, rabbis and scholars, performers and knowledgeable enthusiasts passionate about a Jewish topic or how their job or hobby intersects with Judaism. We're excited to assemble a day of engaging Jewish learning for and by the community.

Part of the fun at Limmud is seeing yourself or a friend on the roster alongside world-renowned folks flying in to join our event. It’s just one of the things that makes Limmud events worldwide unique and empowering.

Please contact us at programming@limmudseattle.org with any questions or concerns.

WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING PROPOSALS FOR THE 2024 FESTIVAL

1. Submit a Proposal

If you've got something to share with the Jewish community, we would love to receive your proposal. Due to space limitations, we, unfortunately, cannot accept every proposal. In making our selections, we emphasize selecting proposals that embody the following Limmud values:

Learning: Everyone should be a student and anyone can be a teacher. Learning changes people, inspires action and opens new worlds.

Diversity of the Jewish Community: We value the rich diversity among Jews, and so we seek to create cross-communal and inter-generational experiences.

Creative Approaches: We value choice in form, content, and style in our programs. A "session" can be almost anything, as long as there's Jewish content (which also leaves a lot of room for interpretation). That's the fun of Limmud: the sky's the limit.

Engagement: We recognize the strength of providing a space where spiritual, emotional, and intellectual connections are made. We invite prospective presenters to think creatively about engaging participants in many ways.

2. Prepare Your Session

In the weeks leading up to the Festival, we will work with presenters to ensure your session is a success, whether this is your first session or your 100th. Below are some final details about our sessions.

Sessions are between 35 and 55 minutes in length.

Once selected, you will be asked to upload your bio and a picture to the eFestival platform. You will also get a chance to update your session description.

BYOPS — Bring Your Own Printed Stuff. In past years, this is now UYOS - Upload Your Own Stuff. The new platform will make uploading and distributing your source materials really easy.

In January, we will host a Zoom orientation for selected presenters and provide resources to help you plan your session.

"We use the word ‘presenter’ rather than speaker, lecturer, performer, teacher, educator etc. to emphasise that we don’t define how exactly the presenter is going to deliver whatever it is. ‘Presenter’ is the most value- and content-free word we can think of."

Clive A Lawton, Limmud Co-Founder

Frequently Asked Questions

➤ What’s the most important thing I need to know about presenting at Limmud Seattle?

Thank you for your interest in presenting at Limmud Seattle, which will take place in person and virtually on January 14, 2024! Limmud is a volunteer-run Jewish festival of culture and learning where Jews can learn and share ideas, regardless of their affiliations or levels of Jewish knowledge. These values are at the core of what we do and unite Limmud gatherings around the world in 42 countries and 90 different communities.

We ask all to respect our inclusive Jewish environment and the Limmud Values, especially Respect, Diversity, Community, and Arguments for the Sake of Heaven (healthy debate intended to increase understanding vs. contentious disagreement intended for one side to prevail).

Our core value is “everyone should be a student, and anyone can be a teacher,” so if you have Jewish knowledge that you're burning to share, submit a proposal for Limmud Seattle by clicking the proposal link on this page or contact programming@limmudseattle.org.

➤ How is Limmud a unique learning environment?

Multiple 55-minute sessions are offered simultaneously throughout the day. Participants do not sign up for sessions but rather choose which session speaks to them at that time of the festival. Presenters are also participants and want to (and do!) attend the event in order to take advantage of Limmud’s many unique learning opportunities. If you have more general questions about Limmud, start with our About page.

➤ When are proposals due?

Proposals should be submitted by November 1 and a decision by December 1. Priority will be given to early submissions.

➤ I want to present a session at Limmud Seattle. What do I do?

After reading the information on this page, submit a proposal by clicking this link.

➤ What topics can I cover?

Limmud sessions cover a very wide range of Jewish-related topics; you’ll find a list of general themes for Limmud Seattle on the proposal form. But overall, if presenters bring to the event the Jewish topic/arena/experience they are passionate about, taking into account our audience diversity - Jews of all ages and backgrounds - the outcomes will be tremendous.

Feel free to think freely. A "session" can be almost anything, as long as there's Jewish content (which also leaves a lot of room for interpretation). That's the fun of Limmud: the sky's the limit. Creativity in format and content is encouraged.

Please note: Any proposal for a session that clearly contradicts the Limmud Values will not be considered (for example, a session designed to legitimize or delegitimize any political viewpoint or Jewish denomination).

➤ What do I need to provide on the session proposal form?

We’ll ask for basic info on you and your idea. The word limits are to make it easier for you to write your proposal and for us to carefully review all submitted proposals. The form will provide complete information, but these are the basics you’ll need:

Session title (max 20 words)
Brief session description (max 150 words)
Relevant links (if any) - videos, articles, etc. featuring you and your topic
Subject area (choose up to 3 from options including Arts & Culture; Torah & Text Study; Social Justice & Ethics)
Type of Session (choose from options like Lecture, Discussion, Hands-on Activity, Performance, etc.)
Where/when you have presented this session before (as relevant)

Easy peasy!

➤ Can I present more than one session?

Most of our local presenters lead only one session, in order to enable as many people as possible to participate as Limmud presenters. You may wish to submit more than one idea, in case your first topic is already being covered. It is possible that your session may not be approved for inclusion in this year’s festival due to our efforts to maintain diversity and balance in our topics, presenters, and the timing of our sessions. We will let you know if your session proposal has been accepted as soon as possible.

➤ Can I propose a session with more than one presenter?

Sure! We welcome collaborations, panels, group performances and other ways to bring more knowledge and sharing to Limmud.

➤ Who decides which sessions are selected?

The Programming Team, volunteers who help plan Limmud, will carefully review all proposals and make selections to maintain diversity and balance in topics, types of sessions and presenters, timing and other logistical considerations.

Because of the work involved in making these decisions, we thank you for committing to present if you are selected.

Specifically, we are looking for session proposals that embody the following Limmud Values:

Learning: Everyone should be a student and anyone can be a teacher. Learning changes people, inspires action and opens new worlds.
Diversity of the Jewish Community: We value the rich diversity among Jews, and so we seek to create cross-communal and inter-generational experiences.
Creative Approaches: We value choice in form, content, and style in our programs. A "session" can be almost anything, as long as there's Jewish content (which also leaves a lot of room for interpretation). That's the fun of Limmud: the sky's the limit.
Engagement: We recognize the strength of providing a space where spiritual, emotional, and intellectual connections are made. We invite prospective presenters to think creatively about engaging participants in many ways and with creative approaches to presentation.

➤ Can I choose when I present?

Sorry, we cannot guarantee a time slot to anyone in advance. However, we will do our best to accommodate any preferences you indicate on the proposal form. As soon as the schedule is finalized, we will let you know when your presentation is scheduled.

➤ When will I know if my proposal has been selected?

We will notify applicants by the deadlines listed below. Because of the work involved in making these decisions, we thank you for committing to present if you are selected. We should let you know by December 20, 2020.

➤ Can I use PowerPoint, DVD, etc.?

Yes. Anything you can run on your computer you can share with the participants in your session. Of course, it’s always advisable to have a Plan B ready. We look forward to supporting your needs once your proposal has been accepted.

➤ Can I bring printed materials?

Yes. Normally, all materials are BYOPS – bring your own printed stuff. This year, virtually, it's UYOS - upload your own stuff.

➤ I have a question that hasn’t been answered here. What do I do?

If you have questions about presenting, email programming@limmudseattle.org. If you have general questions about Limmud, start here. If your question isn’t answered there, email contact@limmudseattle.org.

➤ Do I have to be Jewish to present at Limmud Seattle?

No! Anyone who is interested in sharing Jewish-related content is welcome at Limmud Seattle.

➤ What should I include in my session proposal?

The same language you use in the Proposal Form forms the basis for our session descriptions.