This summer’s cohort at the PresenTense Global Summer Institute included three fellows whose ventures touch the Jewish cultural/educational field. Here’s a look at two projects recently launched: from Los Angeles, California, Anne Hromadka: Anne holds dual masters degrees in Jewish Communal Service (Hebrew Union College, LA) and Public Art Studies (USC). Anne is working on NuART [Insert Jewish Culture Here] that, once completed, will be a fully functional art gallery and educational space set-up inside an altered RV. This mobile art space will house cutting edge installations, sound-pieces, performances, paintings, sketches and videos. One year from now, Anne tells eJP, "NuART will be touring in the SoCal area - headed to a street near you, bringing Jewish art and education to all our … Continue Reading
Capture the Passion
This summer's cohort at PresenTense Global Summer Institute included several fellows whose ventures directly touch the world of philanthropy. Here's a look at four projects recently launched: from St. Petersburg, Russia, Zoia Kolton: A native of Russia, Zoia discovered her roots after the collapse of the USSR. As a child, she was an inaugural member of Adain Lo, a Jewish Family Center. Zoia is launching 3D Philanthropy, whose goal is to create a new cluster of young Jewish leaders who could financially and organizationally support the St. Petersburg Jewish community. Zoia on 3D Philanthropy one year from now: "I hope that 3D events will become a part of the social calendar of Jewish young professionals, and that beig a part of an advisory committee for 3D Philanthropy will be something … Continue Reading
European Social Innovators Connect to Create New Expressions of Jewish Life
Jerusalem, August 3, 2011: As Europe faces an acute identity crisis, 48 social justice activists, artists, environmentalists, media and tech gurus, educators, Israel advocates and intercultural dialoguers will gather for four days at JPropel in Sweden to address the challenges confronting the European Jewish renaissance and to enhance the role of up- and-coming Jewish leaders in shaping a Europe that embraces respect for all religions and cultures. JPropel is a joint initiative of JHub, Paideia and ROI Community to propel forward a new generation of European Jewish leaders. “In the shadow of the horrific massacre in Norway, JPropel shines a light on European Jewish initiatives which combat racism by reviving the spirit and culture of its victims,” said ROI Community Executive Director Justin … Continue Reading
PresenTense Launch Night Rocks Jerusalem
They came from Buenos Aires and Budapest; St. Petersburg (Russia) and Montevideo; Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Kibbutz Yahel; Atlanta, DC, LA, New York and Philly. Six weeks ago, this geographically diverse group gathered in Jerusalem as participants in the fifth PresenTense Global Summer Institute, challenging the staff, coaches, skill-builders and mentors to help them launch their dream ventures. They were not daunted by the recession or a market in which many nonprofits have failed. For these sixteen social entrepreneurs were determined to sow their own seeds in making the world a better place. This past Thursday night they came together - in front of several hundred friends and influencers - for a community celebration of innovation and creativity. To not only formally launch their endeavors, … Continue Reading
Start-Up Summit
The five-day ROI Summit in Jerusalem was a hotbed of innovative new projects by young Jews across the globe by Abigail Pickus When Ira Merzlykh backpacked around the north of India with a group of Israelis a few years ago, she was mesmerized by its splendor. The snow-capped Himalayan mountains. The azure rivers. The magnificent temples. And then she noticed the garbage. Mountains and mountains of plastic refuge overflowed throughout the villages. Even worse, to keep warm at night the children burned the plastic, which is highly toxic both to the children and the environment. “How could I look at this and not doing anything about it?” the 29-year-old Tel Aviv resident asked herself. And so clean.in was born, Merzlykh’s idea to clean up the region, recycle the garbage, … Continue Reading
Taking the First ‘Foot’ Step
In February 2009 we introduced our readers to Footsteps, a New York organization that assists individuals transitioning from ultra-Orthodox communities into the broader society. Several months earlier, I had met Malkie Schwartz, learned part of her story and about the important work Footsteps was engaged in. Here, is an excerpt from the moving story of Malkie's personal transition and the beginnings of an organization that would ultimately be called Footsteps. The Departed by Orli Santo Children laughing, a baby’s muffled cry, the peaceful sounds of a Saturday afternoon, drift through the open window. This is New York - one of the liveliest, most turbulent cities in the world - but here, within the boundaries of the eruv string - the thin line separating indoors from outdoors, the … Continue Reading
Camp Jewlicious Wrap Up
Better late than never, eh? It’s been a hell of a week. We never really thought that we’d actually pull it off. I mean Camp Jewlicious. Four days at the breath taking Brandeis Bardin Institute, 130 participants, endless activity and discussions, music … whatever. We’ve all been in a daze this week so cut us a bit of slack ok? It was beyond. Just beyond. Here are some stand out photos because without photos, it didn’t happen! David Abitbol is the creator of Jewlicious.com. For more on the vision behind Jewlicious, see our post Creating Positive Jewish Experiences. … Continue Reading
Creating Positive Jewish Experiences
Former lawyer and Web mastermind David Abitbol was born in Israel and raised in Montreal, and says he has a love-hate relationship with Jews. A product of 11 years of Jewish day school, one year at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and far more University education that (he thinks) is heathy, he still is fascinated by Judaism. In addition, David is an epitome of Zionist with his love and devotion to Israel, with a special relationship and love for Jerusalem. In this exclusive video, Abitbol talks about Jewlicious.com, the blog he created with a few friends years ago, simply to talk about and discuss Jewish issues. Over the years, Jewlicious became a phenomenon and trend in the Jewish world for young Jewish adults. The idea of Jewlicious, was personified, morphed to an adjective, noun, and … Continue Reading
Meet the Future Today: Skilled Volunteers for Israel
Baby Boomers represent the largest, most educated and financially secure generation in history. They see the stage after retirement as a time for meaningful work and service which includes volunteering. In the United States, the secular community has set up programs to tap the skills of boomer volunteers. However, nothing comparable exists today to attract, recruit or match Jewish baby boomers with the needs of Israel’s nonprofit organizations. That's about to change. Skilled Volunteers for Israel has launched to help fill the gap. At the same time, the venture will enable the Israeli nonprofit sector to harness the talents of this abundant Jewish communal resource. Skilled Volunteers for Israel was conceived by Marla Gamoran of Madison, Wisconsin. Marla, whose motivation to begin this … Continue Reading
Introducing Asian Jewish Life
It's not every day that we have the opportunity to meet individuals involved in new, innovative projects in the Pacific Rim. One such person is Erica Lyons - a New York trained attorney who, along with her family, now makes her home in Hong Kong. This past winter, Erica launched Asian Jewish Life: a Journal of Spirit, Society and Culture. The magazine, a quarterly printed publication, reflects the diversity of the Jewish experience in the region, while simultaneously building community ties. Reflecting recently on the vision behind Asian Jewish Life, Erica tells us, I realized that the attack on Mumbai played a significant role behind my drive to see this project get off the ground. The attack unified Jews in Hong Kong and Jews in other communities in a way that had rarely been seen … Continue Reading
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