Breaking News as reported by Jewlicious: Michael Steinhardt, a breadwinnerist, philanthropist, aspiring zoologist, and out of the box thinker-ist has just unveiled a new plan to his Jewish posse while out on business in California: a network of kosher Cannabis clubs to be developed, managed, and operated by Jewish young adults, ages 18-26. The new venture, called 'Project Greenright' (don’t get too creative here Mikey) has plans to open its first club in Los Angeles on April 20th 2008, near the Pico/Robertson district, and after a 3 day evaluation period, has plans to expand all over the West Coast, East Coast, and eventually Israel. read the complete post here

Our community is thriving. And who you may ask is this community? from our 'about' section: To some, they represent the MTV generation; to others Millenials or Generation Y. To the UJC, they are simply NextGen. They number around 76 million Americans and will form the most technology savvy bulk of the adult population over the next twenty years. They have been inspired by the aspirations, hopes and financial freedom of their Baby Boomer parents; they are optimistic, idealistic and feel empowered. This funky young crowd, sporting their own definition of Judaism, is the harbinger of a new golden age of Jewish communal innovation. Some are visionaries, creating programs on a shoe-string, or armed with just an idea, giving birth to exciting, fresh ...

LOG ON TO THE BIGGEST EVER SOLIDARITY RALLY FOR ISRAEL Participate without leaving home This Thursday, March 20th, the eve of Purim, help us make history in solidarity with Israel. Show up no matter where you are. Together4Israel.org, along with many worldwide partners, is putting together the largest ever online rally in support of those living under fire in Israel. To attend all you need to do is go to www.together4israel.org to watch a live broadcast of solidarity rallies from around the world.

Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:00 pm Israel Time

9 p.m. GMT / 5 p.m. EDT / 4 p.m. CDT / 3 p.m. MDT / 2 p.m. PDT

Stretching across 7 continents and featuring as speakers Alan Dershowitz, Natan ...

Israeli entrepreneur Stef Wertheimer wants to convert the Middle East to capitalism. This Israeli entrepreneur with a mission, has a unique perspective on how to reduce conflict in the Middle East. According to a story in this week's edition of Business Week... "Early on, Stef Wertheimer, the founder of Iscar Metalworking, a manufacturer of industrial precision metal-cutting tools, decided that entrepreneurship was an answer to social and economic problems... During the 1980s, Wertheimer spent four years as a member of the Knesset, Israel's Parliament. It was there that he came to the conclusion that he could accomplish more through industry and entrepreneurship than he ever could through government or politics. An early social entrepreneur (see BusinessWeek.com, 12/14/07), he launched ...

As a small country with limited natural resources, Israel depends on its most important natural resource -- her people. Her achievements are uniquely her own, a mixture of high idealism, ingenuity and self-reliance. In almost 60 short years, Israel has accomplished what many nations haven't been able to do in centuries. Israel's one natural resource is its brainpower; with a driving demand for survival and success against all odds, Israel developed an energetic and ambitious society. Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeVvMJdvEX8&feature=related[/youtube]

Launching this Motzei Shabbat here in Jerusalem, another great new project birthed from the cutting edge Creative Zionism incubator. HyperSemitic, a Jewish edu-tainment company that fuses the ancient and modern Jewish experience for young Jewish audiences. Set to hip-hop, world music and heavy beats, their performances will excite Jewish youth through the creative expression of ancient text and modern music. Their debut music video “Haman Song” is a a collaboration of 5 PICZ fellows and members. Be sure to also check out, Kid Tested, Rabbi Approved. BTW, Matt's first Bible Raps CD is in production! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vTLxpz9HKs[/youtube]

The recently awarded Bronfman Prize in Jewish Communal Innovation produced over 200 entries. Certainly, many good ideas were presented and many are (or will be) in various stages of implemenation. Here, as we learn from the El Paso Times, finalist Anita Diamant is the featured speaker at a communal fundraiser for a new Mikveh; but one with a possible twist... "El Paso's Jewish community has embarked on a fundraising effort to build a spa-like community mikvah where Jews of all backgrounds can explore water as a source for spiritual renewal and healing." Meanwhile, for those of you following every detail about the recently announced Bronfman Chair-Prize, we bring you the audio version of the public presentations. Note: ...

Applications for the 2008 ROI Summit, taking place in Jerusalem from the 15th to the 19th of June are now open. Join 120 young innovators and leaders for 4 days of networking, skill-building and inspiration. Think you got what it takes? Apply today! Deadline for applications is Friday, March 28th. About the ROI Community: ROI is an international partnership between Taglit-Birthright Israel and the Center for Leadership Initiatives, a U.S. based foundation with funding from Lynn Schusterman. Click the logo for a video made at last year's Summit and check this really great post on Jewlicious for a first-hand view.

The Pleasure of Your Company is Requested... To commemorate 13 years since the establishment of Mavoi Satum, and in honor of "Yom HaAguna," which takes place on the Fast of Esther, Mavoi Satum continues their annual tradition of co-sponsoring the "Women and Religion" film festival with the Jerusalem Cinematheque. This two-day festival will include film screenings, lectures, and discussions. The films that will be screened at the festival present different facets and aspects of the interaction between women and religion, including: women's place in the religious sphere; women's struggles with religion and the dilemmas women face in religious contexts; religion as a source of inspiration and creativity for women and more.

You are all warmly invited ...

Writing in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Jeff Brooks asks us... Does your newsletter (and/or website) contain any of the following?

• News about back-office staff.
• Photo of well-heeled donor presenting a giant check to your organization.
• Photos of people standing around (possibly holding wine glasses) at your fundraising event.
• Articles whose sole purpose is to educate donors.

If you answered yes to any of these, your organization may suffer from Nonprofit Navel-Gazing Syndrome (NPNGS). This condition causes nonprofits to believe that their own understanding of the world must be shared by others—especially donors. This leads to a lack of respect for donors who “don’t get it.” This elitist attitude prevents effective fundraising. continue reading here We do not necessarily agree with Jeff and as you can ...