Hear Us: A Poetry and Music Cafe
November 7 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
$18.00
Saturday, November 7, 2026
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Education
525 Versailles Drive
Centerville, OH 45459
Join us for a unique evening of poetry and music at the “CJCE Café.” Immerse yourself in the beatnik world, where we will delight your senses with performances by local Jewish poets and musicians.
$18/person (includes food and one drink ticket). RSVP is required by October 30.
In partnership with the Hear Us Committee.
Poetry Submission Guidelines ~ Submit your poetry by September 28!
The mission of Hear Us is to showcase Jewish poets in the Greater Dayton area by having them read their poetry aloud and through inclusion in the Hear Us Anthology.
- Who can submit? From the emerging poet to the well-published, all Jewish authors over 18 years of age from the Greater Dayton area are welcome to submit.
- Do poems have to be about a Jewish subject and be in a particular form? No. The subject is open as is the form. Your poems may have a Jewish theme or they may be secular. Forms may be modern, free verse, rhyming, villanelle, sonnet, pantoum, haibun, haiku, or any other style that you like.
- How many poems may I submit? You may submit up to three poems. Each poem cannot exceed one page (12 pt font, single spaced lines). One of the poems that you submit will be selected for publication in the Hear Us Anthology. Depending on how many poems we receive, you may or may not have an opportunity to read at the Hear Us event.
- Are there limitations? We will not accept poetry that is racist, homophobic, hateful toward a particular culture or religion, or that includes hateful speech. A.I. generated poetry will not be accepted.
- Do you accept previously published work? Yes, we will accept previously published work provided that you retain the rights to publish it. By submitting previously published poetry for inclusion in the Hear Us Program and Anthology, you agree that you retain publishing rights.
- Are there any limits on length? Each person who reads poetry will have a maximum of four minutes. If you are to read more than one poem, please make sure that they can be read within four minutes. Each poem cannot exceed one page (12 pt font, single spaced lines).
- How should I submit my poems? Submit your poems as an attached word document to cgardner@jfgd.net. Please do not submit poetry in a PDF or in the body of your email. On the top of each page, please include your name and email address. Please number the pages at the bottom of the page. Include a short bio of not more than 50 words as you would like it to be read at the program and included in the Hear Us Anthology. Bios should be on a separate page and sent as a second attachment of a word document.
- What is the deadline and when will I be notified? Submit your poetry by September 28. Poetry will not be accepted after that date. We plan on notifying everyone who submits poetry by October 19. Due to resource limitations, feedback about poetry cannot be offered.
- Whom to contact? For poetry questions, contact Rabbi Debrah at shenefelt@att.net. For questions about the event, contact Cathy Gardner, CEO at cgardner@jfgd.net.
