This past Thursday night, the PresenTense Institute concluded their 2nd summer fellowship program with a presentation to the community on the extraordinary projects they have been hard at work on these past six weeks. eJewish Philanthropy will be profiling many of them for you over the next two weeks. So today, as we introduce our newest project, Cool People, Cool Stuff (tm), I find no better candidate for our first profile than Hey Yiddle Diddle Productions, one of the coolest initiatives from this summer's PresenTense cohort. For me, this was an easy choice. For as the summer went by, and without exception, every time I walked into the PrersenTense 'home' in Arnona, I was greeted by the cheerful and huge smiling, Chari Pere - the creative mind behind Hey Yiddle Diddle, Old-fashioned Jewish … Continue Reading
The Future of the Global Jewish Community and Philanthropy
Recently, Sandy Cardin and Lisa Eisen of the Schusterman Foundation sat with the fellows and members of the PresenTense Institute here in Jerusalem. The discussion focused on the future of our global Jewish community and philanthropy. Sandy began by speaking about what he sees as the two great divides and one challenge we face: The divides: the one, between the Orthodox and secular Jewish communities and how the twain just do not meet the other, between Israel and the Diaspora; what is the existing relationship between the two and how can understandings be created so conversations are possible. The challenge: how to keep Judaism and Jewish life relevant, meaningful and vibrant 10, 20, even 100 years down the road. Relative to this, the Shusterman Foundation often addresses the … Continue Reading
We Have a Very Bright Future Out There
So spoke Yoni Gordis during the recent ROI 120 Summit in Jerusalem. Here is the first episode from their great video team. Kol Ha-kavod! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4ncxWAwoRw[/youtube] You can find more of our ROI 120 posts here. … Continue Reading
PresenTense Makes News
A great deal has been going on this summer at the PresenTense Institute here in Jerusalem. We put our first post up on the current doings in Arnona just yesterday (the Diaspora Mezuzot Project) and have a few other posts coming later this week. In the meantime, from today's Jerusalem Post, here is a really great story on the Institute and their two founders, Ariel and Aharon. A Zionist kick in the pants Aharon Horwitz and Ariel Beery are both 28, and they are confident that their plan to change the world is quite practical. They have staked their fortunes and the past two years on a straightforward goal: to restore to Zionism the kind of history-shaping cultural energy that the movement's early architects envisioned. And so the two founded PresenTense, a Jerusalem-based hub for a social … Continue Reading
Summertime
Summer has definitely arrived; the beaches are packed with tourists and Birthright Israel participants fill the midrachov. It has also been pretty hot; part of the reason I am a bit behind in writing about what's happening with all the talented young Jewish innovators who have taken up various lengths of residence here in Jerusalem. Fortunately, the established media fills some of the void. Two recent articles from the Jerusalem Post profiling prolific ROI120 participants Michelle Citrin, a.k.a. the Rosh Hashonah Girl and William Levin, cartoonist extraordinaire, whose Shabot 6000 humor is often shown on this site. As for Michelle, keep an ear out for her new album hitting shelves and online retail soon. Jewish 'it' girl in the US The first thing that strikes you about Brooklyn-based … Continue Reading
ROI Participants Speak Out
Two participants from different sides of the Atlantic offer their views on the recently concluded ROI120 Summit. from the London Jewish Chronicle: What the next generation wants It seems we are on the verge of what Malcolm Gladwell calls “the tipping point”, with Jewish events to suit all interests. The emphasis will be on highly individualised, minority projects — not “one size fits all” schemes and events.But when it comes to nurturing individuals, the returns are about reaching out to disenfranchised Jews rather than showing bottom-line profits. Although it’s hard to measure the growth of spiritual capital, the sheer number of active participants in Jewish programmes suggest we’re on the right track. and this from Yavnet: Jewish Wisdom at Your Fingertips: This … Continue Reading
ROI’s Global Summit; A View From Afar
eJewish Philanthropy is pleased to welcome this guest post by Miriam Eljas, the founder and publisher of nyblueprint.com, the urban Jewish event guide, where it was originally posted. Do you get a return on your investment when you bring together 120 young Jews from 28 countries? With participants like documentary filmmakers, microfinanciers, and political leaders, the annual return from ROI 120 is, according to its organizers, priceless. Held June 15-19, 2008, in Jerusalem, the third annual global summit for young Jewish innovators was founded by American Jewish philanthropist Lynn Schusterman and is a project of the Center for Leadership Initiatives in partnership with Taglit-Birthright Israel. With over 400 applicants and only 120 spots, the 2008 ROI summit served up the cream of the crop … Continue Reading
Eyes Wide Open
With the joyous singing just a few short hours ago of Hashana Ha Baah Me Yerushalayem, the 3rd ROI120 Summit in Jerusalem came to a close. However, this was certainly anything but an ending. A conclusion, yes, to an incredible four days, but more important it marked a beginning and a continuation. A beginning of new friendships, new innovations coming to the forefront and a great deal of new networking. As for a continuation? The ROI brand. Perhaps not looked as such previously, but most certainly now firmly established as a major force among this demographic worldwide. And pay attention, y'all, as they leverage this global network they call "ROI". The atmosphere in those closing moments was infectious, and I am grateful to ROI for extending me the opportunity to spend time at many of the … Continue Reading
Introducing the ROI Bloggers
“We trust the future of the Jewish world in your hands, we want to train you to be the most effective you can.” With those words, Yoni Gordis, Executive Director of CLI, opened the 3rd ROI120 Summit here in Jerusalem on Sunday evening. The conference’s purpose: networking to collaborate and the exchange of ideas through peer-to-peer skills sessions. Continuing, Yoni told us the "future shouldn’t look like us (40s or 50s); it should look like you. It’s new and innovative. That’s what led us to shape the ROI gathering.” I have spent the past two evenings, and will for the next three days, be at the various programs of this summer's Summit. Having written about ROI and some of the projects that have emerged during the past year, I was honored to be invited to attend. The energy … Continue Reading
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