The Jerusalem offices of both PresenTense and ROI are in full swing finalizing preparations for their summer fellowship programs. Two weeks ago, we introduced the PresenTense Institute 2009 Fellows. Today, the (mostly complete) list of those who will be attending this summer's ROI Summit. Selected from almost 600 applicants, this cohort's participants - all first time ROI attendees - call 29 countries home (up one from last year). Sharing a passion for Jewish life, community and innovation they represent the best of our next generation of 'doers'. Here's philanthropist Lynn Schusterman, 'doer' extraordinaire, on ROI: "The aim of the summit is to promote innovation in the global Jewish community, while developing the participants' managerial and innovation skills. Our assumption is that their … Continue Reading
JFN 2009: Mark Charendoff’s Vision
by Mark Charendoff “You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant Walk right in it's around the back Just a half a mile from the railroad track You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant” As a young boy, a very young boy mind you, growing up in the sixties, Alice’s Restaurant held a very special place in my heart. It was clever and ironic and captured the spirit of those days. You may remember the red VW micro bus, the shovels rakes and implements of destruction, and the twenty seven eight by ten color glossy pictures with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explaining what each one was to be used as evidence against us. You may even remember the people on the bench marked Group W. So if you … Continue Reading
Applications Open for 2009 ROI Summit
It's that time of year again! The Center for Leadership Initiatives and Taglit-Birthright Israel are proud to announce the opening of applications for the 4th Annual ROI Summit, to be held June 28-July 2, 2009 near Tel Aviv, in honor of that city's 100th anniversary. For this fourth year of the program, applications will be open only to those who haven't participated in previous summits. This will keep the summit fresh and invigorated, bring new people into their growing community, and, in turn, enhance the ROI network and its potential. For complete requirements and application information, visit the 2009 Summit Information page. about: ROI Summit attendees are Jewish leaders and innovators who represent the diversity of Jewish experience around the world. Connected through their … Continue Reading
Talk to Me
When life is difficult, I don’t know about you, but I want to stay in touch with the people in my life who matter most to me. Same holds true in my relationships with the organizations I support. As we painfully peel the onion layers of ramifications of the global economic meltdown, I have an increasing need to know how things are going, to share my worries, to offer help even if it has not been expressly sought and, most important, to feel that I am connected to those who matter most to me. I also want to know what my favorite charities are doing, how they are holding up as their resources contract and the need for their support increases. So far, I have been disappointed with the dribble of communications. Maybe it is because these organizations have been too busy working to meet the … Continue Reading
Communities in Transition
Just a reminder, if you're planning to be in Israel for any of the various conferences coming up shortly, join the World Council of Jewish Communal Service for their program Challenges and Opportunities for the Communal Professional. Meet colleagues from around the world for networking, an exchange of best practices and global approaches to: Coalition Building Promoting Jewish Peoplehood Coping with External Threats: Terrorism, Political Threats and Natural Disasters Stepping Across the Generational Divide Click above for program details and to register. … Continue Reading
Limmud Around the World
Since their beginnings over twenty five years ago, Limmud has been spreading at an unprecedented rate throughout the Jewish world. Inspired by their visits to Limmud Conferences in the U.K., tens of activists have returned to their home communities enthused and invigorated by Limmud's unique model of cross-communal, volunteer-led, dynamic Jewish education - and sought to replicate some of the Limmud magic in their own community. Indeed, as the Jerusalem Report astutely observed: "wherever there are Jews, there should be a Limmud". Here is their upcoming and impressive line-up for the next few months: October: Limmud Keshet Poland : 24-26 Limmud FSU Yalta : 27-30 November: Limmud Keset Hungary : 7-9 Limmud Turkey : 21-23 Limmud Sweden : 21-23 Limoud France : 21-23 Limmud Keshet ex-Yu … Continue Reading
Our Flat World
I spent last week at the International Fundraising Congress in the Netherlands. It was a heady experience with over 950 delegates representing 60 countries. Meeting and learning from colleagues on a global scale is becoming increasingly more valuable for all of us as we compare and benchmark with our peers. Though I was disappointed to be not only the sole delegate from Israel, but (as far as I could tell) the only participant working in the Jewish world. Over the next several weeks I be highlighting lessons learned from the world's top fundraisers and also bringing you thoughts from this diverse audience on the current state of the global economy and the projected effects on philanthropy. What was most interesting, is that almost without exception and despite the current 'economic mess', … Continue Reading
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