What is YSW?
Yiddish Summer Weimar ranks as the most important and comprehensive Yiddish culture festival in the world. Each year, an international community of artists, musicians, workshop participants and guests meet to experience – and contribute to – the world of Yiddish culture. Click here for more information. back

When is YSW?
July 11 to August 19, 2019 back

Where is YSW?
The festival’s main venues are the Johann Nepomuk Hummel Music School and the Other Music Academy in Weimar, in addition to other locations in the city. As in previous years, the “Yiddish Summer Weimar goes Erfurt” event series will bring some of the festival highlights to the neighboring city of Erfurt back

Who is behind YSW?
The festival is organized by Other Music Academy e.V., an association founded in 2006, which currently numbers over 100 members in 10 countries. Other Music Academy e.V. is behind all the projects realized by the Other Music Academy (OMA). The Other Music Academy is our vision of an innovative institution: an empowerment center whose goal is to create an inclusive society which invites a broad range of people to actively help shape our culture and their own role within it.
OMA is the brainchild of Dr. Alan Bern, musical director and chairman of Other Music Academy e.V. Dr. Bern is supported by an international team of colleagues in the fields of music, culture, science and social affairs. Click on the following links for more information about our philosophy and about the OMA.  back

How can I contribute to YSW as a volunteer?
You can contribute in any one of the following areas, to which you will be assigned at the team meetings:

- info point –  helping artists and participants
- admin, shop, merchandise
- catering, bar
- technical assistant
- event management back

What work areas are there?

We love it that volunteers come to us from many countries and many generations!
Ideally, you should be able to communicate in very basic German. If not, then very good English skills are a necessity! Also, please be aware that certain tasks in the festival require fluent spoken German. If you don't speak German, you won't be given those tasks. For example, working at the InfoPoint or the Box Office requires speaking German. So, if you don't speak German, it could happen that your work assignment will be in areas where language isn't so important.

 
1. Info point – helping artists and participants: the starting point for all artists, participants and visitors to the festival. Work includes ticket sales, selling merchandise, copy orders, providing information to participants, coordinating volunteers, distributing flyers, delivering messages and much more.

2. Admin, shop – helping the finance department: sort out and copy receipts, prepare and inventory the shop, distribute contracts, update charts ...

3. Catering, bar – helping in the festival kitchen to provide for the team: chopping vegetables, creative cooking, dishwashing, serving ... or working at the Other Music Academy Café, our salon for the festival’s artists, volunteers, visitors and participants.

4. Technical assistant: help our technicians set up PA systems; position lights; schlep, set up and dismantle equipment. Gain experience through hands-on work! Note: work in this area usually runs from afternoon to late evening and often lasts over 6 hours!!! You should be able to lift heavy objects. A trial run is recommended.

5. Event management – admission, ticket sales, seating, visitor surveys, statistical surveys, setup and dismantling, backstage work, catering, selling merchandise ... back

What do YSW volunteers do?
Our motto is “pitch in wherever you can.” This means that volunteers may occasionally help out with simple tasks such as office work and cleaning, but will also have the chance to take responsibility for a main area. This depends on the extent of your time commitment and involvement. All tasks are important, and all help is greatly appreciated! back

What are my responsibilities as a volunteer?
Our guiding principle here is: If you can take responsibility for something, go for it! But don’t worry: no one gets held responsible for things that don’t go exactly as planned. back

How long does the volunteer work last?
This is up to you. At least one week, but feel free to stay for the duration of the festival or beyond; preparations start in May and follow-up work lasts until the end of August. Volunteer weeks start on Mondays with a team meeting at 4 pm; we recommend that you arrive on Saturday or Sunday, to get an impression of the city and the venues and hear a concert. back

How old do I have to be?
At least 18. We are looking forward to a cross-generational team of people aged 18 to 80, where we can learn from each other’s experiences. back

Will I get paid?
NO. Your work is on a purely voluntary and non-remunerative basis. back

Will I be insured?
Yes. All employees, assistants and volunteers from Germany and the EU who work for Other Music Acacdemy e.V. are insured during their time with us. back

Do I get support for finding and financing accommodation?
Weimar is a student city. Click here and here for available sublets. For volunteers staying one week, we have a limited number of free sleeping places in a shared room with other volunteers; there are shower cabins and a kitchen in the basement. If you have difficulty finding or financing a room, we will be happy to assist you.

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Do I get food?
There is a free daily vegetarian and vegan lunch buffet – coffee, tea and water included. All other expenses are on you.


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What expenses do I have to cover myself?
You cover your travel costs to and from Weimar, as well as your accommodation and food expenses (except for the lunch buffet). If you have difficulty financing accommodation, contact us. As a volunteer, you are entitled to free entry to all YSW events. back

Which work area will I be assigned to?
This depends on the length of your stay in Weimar, and on your wishes and abilities. A team meeting is held every Monday at 4pm, where we draw up the work plan for the week. back

Can I switch to a different service area once I’ve started?
Of course! back

Can I get my volunteer work accredited as an internship?
This depends on the internship requirements of your college or university. We will be happy to provide you with a written confirmation of your work for us, as well as a certificate on request. Many of our volunteers have been successful in getting accreditation! back

Will I receive a certificate for my work?
Absolutely! We’ll be happy to provide you with a confirmation and a certificate. back

What skills should I have?
We welcome all who wish to help and are open to the content of YSW. Being a friendly, open person who is good at teamwork and enjoys interacting with others is a plus. It also helps if you can respond flexibly to challenges, pitch in and contribute thoughts and feedback. Knowledge of foreign languages is another big plus.

We love it that volunteers come to us from many countries and many generations!
Ideally, you should be able to communicate in very basic German. If not, then very good English skills are a necessity! Also, please be aware that certain tasks in the festival require fluent spoken German. If you don't speak German, you won't be given those tasks. For example, working at the InfoPoint or the Box Office requires speaking German. So, if you don't speak German, it could happen that your work assignment will be in areas where language isn't so important.

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What should I bring with me?
Besides a healthy dose of motivation, curiosity and enthusiasm for the cause, we ask that you bring a smartphone, or at least a cellphone. As the festival operates on a partly decentralized basis, group chats have proven to be very helpful. A laptop and a bike is a plus, but not a must. There is no dress code. back

How do I register?
Please use the online registration form. back

Whom do I contact?
Your contacts are Johannes Gräßer (YSW management and office manager). back

I still have questions. Whom do I ask?
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for further information.

Your contact is:
Johannes Gräßer: , +49 (0)3643 – 85 83 10 back