Interview by Sam Sherry, marketing team
Rachel Flitman has been an integral part of our volunteer programming team and will be presenting at Limmud Fest.
Q: As Hillel Director in Sydney, you dedicate your days to the craft of community building in the Jewish space. Can you tell us about some of your initiatives that have helped inspire Jewish university-aged young adults to participate more actively in Jewish life?
Rachel: Some of our recent initiatives include the Moth: Storytelling series and Kangarusski support and we provide ongoing support to the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS).
Moth is all about true stories, told live. We have hosted 3 events on the topics of Israel, Antisemitism and Gen3, which feature a range of spoken word artists, poets, singers and musicians who each share a piece of work related to the topic. These events are intimate, raw and dynamic and have been incredibly well attended.
We work closely with AUJS throughout the year, running executive training workshops and retreats, team building events and provide campaign and event mentorship and support both pre and post event. AUJS do extraordinary work both on and off campus running events and conferences that provide fun and meaningful Jewish experiences for students and we are proud to support their work.
Kangarusski is a movement we’re supporting to revive a segment of our community that comprises 1/5 of the Australian Jewish community. We are working with a small team of Russian professionals to create unique, cultural events that bring members of this community together through their heritage.
Q: You'll be appearing in two sessions at Limmud Fest, Schmooze Fest platonic speed dating as well as taking part in a panel discussion on Being Communally Relevant. What can we expect to see from each session?
Rachel: At our schmooze fest, we’ll be throwing some quirky, probing questions to get people’s tongues loosening and break the ice between Fest attendees. Run in a classic speed dating style, people will have a couple of minutes to chat on a topic given on the spot with each person before moving along. While this is a platonic speed dating (meaning it’s family and couples friendly!), who knows if it might not herald the start of a little romance between single fest attendees…!
As for the panel discussion I will be talking about communal relevance from my experience organising Jewish young adult programming throughout my last 18 months as Hillel Director, and prior to that as the founder of ‘The Lost Tribe’ – the Canberra Jewish young adult group. I’ll share a few insights about lessons I’ve gleaned along the way about what sort of events take off and which fizzle and why and offer what I think it takes to remain relevant in this sphere.
Q: Which sessions or activities (apart from your own!) are you looking forward to attending at this year's Limmud Fest?
Rachel: I've been to a few Kabbalat Shabbats with the Kesher crew and absolutely love what they do. I’m very excited to be part of their inclusive, musical evening service. I’m also looking forward to Kosher Theatresports and the ideas exchange mini-sessions happening Saturday afternoon. Sat night is going to be a hoot – there are some fabulous performers lined up including the wonderful pink-haired Shannyn Gelbart, Max Jared who is jetting in from the States to perform, Dan Segal and his band, and finally the silent disco with DJ #HashBang.
Shannyn's beautiful music accompanies our Limmud Fest video here.
Bookings close on November 24. Book today at www.limmud-oz.com.au
Limmud Fest is a non-profit, volunteer based event, supported by The Shalom Institute.
Rachel Flitman has been an integral part of our volunteer programming team and will be presenting at Limmud Fest.
Q: As Hillel Director in Sydney, you dedicate your days to the craft of community building in the Jewish space. Can you tell us about some of your initiatives that have helped inspire Jewish university-aged young adults to participate more actively in Jewish life?
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| Hillel Director Rachel Flitman |
Moth is all about true stories, told live. We have hosted 3 events on the topics of Israel, Antisemitism and Gen3, which feature a range of spoken word artists, poets, singers and musicians who each share a piece of work related to the topic. These events are intimate, raw and dynamic and have been incredibly well attended.
We work closely with AUJS throughout the year, running executive training workshops and retreats, team building events and provide campaign and event mentorship and support both pre and post event. AUJS do extraordinary work both on and off campus running events and conferences that provide fun and meaningful Jewish experiences for students and we are proud to support their work.
Kangarusski is a movement we’re supporting to revive a segment of our community that comprises 1/5 of the Australian Jewish community. We are working with a small team of Russian professionals to create unique, cultural events that bring members of this community together through their heritage.
 |
| Fest is fun |
Rachel: At our schmooze fest, we’ll be throwing some quirky, probing questions to get people’s tongues loosening and break the ice between Fest attendees. Run in a classic speed dating style, people will have a couple of minutes to chat on a topic given on the spot with each person before moving along. While this is a platonic speed dating (meaning it’s family and couples friendly!), who knows if it might not herald the start of a little romance between single fest attendees…!
As for the panel discussion I will be talking about communal relevance from my experience organising Jewish young adult programming throughout my last 18 months as Hillel Director, and prior to that as the founder of ‘The Lost Tribe’ – the Canberra Jewish young adult group. I’ll share a few insights about lessons I’ve gleaned along the way about what sort of events take off and which fizzle and why and offer what I think it takes to remain relevant in this sphere.
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| The Saturday night program is always filled with fun entertainment |
Q: Which sessions or activities (apart from your own!) are you looking forward to attending at this year's Limmud Fest?
 |
| Shannyn Gelbart |
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| Max Jared |
Rachel: I've been to a few Kabbalat Shabbats with the Kesher crew and absolutely love what they do. I’m very excited to be part of their inclusive, musical evening service. I’m also looking forward to Kosher Theatresports and the ideas exchange mini-sessions happening Saturday afternoon. Sat night is going to be a hoot – there are some fabulous performers lined up including the wonderful pink-haired Shannyn Gelbart, Max Jared who is jetting in from the States to perform, Dan Segal and his band, and finally the silent disco with DJ #HashBang.
Shannyn's beautiful music accompanies our Limmud Fest video here.
Bookings close on November 24. Book today at www.limmud-oz.com.au
Limmud Fest is a non-profit, volunteer based event, supported by The Shalom Institute.
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