Question 1

How many times a year will I scheduled to present?

Accepted Answer

In our current setup each member will be presenting twice a year.

Question 2

For how long am I expected to prepare for? Is there a minumum amount?

Accepted Answer

There is neither a specific expected nor minimum amount of time for preparation. At least 3 weeks before your presentations are due you will have all the information needed to prepare. If you would like more time, please inform your coordinator. Although, there is no minimum amount you spend preparing, keep in mind this is not a d'var Torah at you seuda or a Sheva Brachos, it is assumed you will be spending hours of time preparing this.

Question 3

What are the different methods of presenting?

Accepted Answer

Presentations can be formatted in two ways: essay/article or recorded oral presentation. The oral presentation should range between 17-20 minutes. The essay/article should range between 3.5- 4 pages.

Question 4

What if halfway through preparing, I feel that the topic I chose will not work for me?"

Accepted Answer

Your coordinatior will do his best to make sure that each person is comfortable with his topic. If it is not working for you, your coordinator will try to help you start on a different angle. If that does not work, a topic that can be learned in the remaining time will be chosen.

Question 5

Who will be watching/reading my presentation?

Accepted Answer

Your presentation will be reviewed by everyone in our Chabura. Additionally, each presenter will pick an outside reviewer that will be seeing/hearing the presentation along with the rest of the Chabura. This reviewer is NOT  to see the presentation before, he should be seeing it along with the rest of the audience when it goes "live".
Preferably, the reviewer should be someone whose presence as an audience member will foster a sense of accountability.

Question 6

What type of response should I be expecting after my presentation?

Accepted Answer

There is no specific response that will come forth. It is the hope of Toraso that your presentation will elicit discussion and that members will be asking, adding, arguing, about your presentation. Ideally that discussion will take place on the discussion board, but of course any form of discussing the topic with the presenter is encouraged.

Question 7

Do I need to respond to people's questions?

Accepted Answer

Ideally, the presenter would be the moderator of all discussion regarding his presentation, but there is no such requirement. Additionally, everyone is able to respond to any question posted on the board unless it is directed specifically to one person.

Question 8

Am I expected to review everyone's presentation?

Accepted Answer

YES. There is a strong expectation that every member takes the time to review the presentations. (Please set aside time to do this, not when you are on the treadmill, elliptical, etc.). 
You are not required to make comments every time but we would like people to be engaged enough that they want to, and are motivated to, share any substantial comments they have.

Question 9

Is there a specific time after the presentation by which I am expected to review it?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each presentation will be "live" for 8 days. You are expected to find time within that time period to review and comment (when applicable) on the presentation.

Question 10

Will all of the presentations be posted the same time of the week? When?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Presentations will be posted on Thursdays (so every other Thursday) and will be "live" untill the following Shabbos (8 days).

Frequently asked questions