Over the past two weeks, Schusterman's @Roicommunity, Paideia and the Pears Foundation's JHub have run a series of activities in the classic Swedish university town of Uppsala under the banner of the Summer of Change. @aharonhorwitz and I were privileged to represent PresenTense there as 'staff,' Aharon as part of the incubator, and both of us together at JPropel teaching a few workshops over the course of a few days, from our PTSchool series, and leading a text-based learning on business model development for social enterprise. It was a fun affair. For a little under a week, approximately 50 individuals, the majority from the various countries of Europe, hung out, ate, drank and took boat rides whose main outcome was the bonding of young activist Jews across the world, and an understanding that … 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
5 Questions with … Rachel Brody
by Abigail Pickus This is the last of a three-part series Rachel Brody, 26, grew up in Houston, Texas, and received a B.A. from Texas State University and an M.A. from George Mason University. From an early age, she found herself drawn to working with those with special needs. But it wasn’t until her first visit to Israel in 2009 that she realized the intricate connection between her Jewishness and her dedication to inclusion. Then in her second year of teaching special education in the Metro D.C. area, Rachel joined a pilot cohort of her fellow Teach For America corps members on the REALITY Israel Experience program, which brings a select group of corps members to Israel for 10 days to explore Israel’s education and social justice systems, gain exposure to top Israeli leaders and … 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
Giving Back is Sexier Than Ever
Every summer, Sandy Cardin, President of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, addresses the PresenTense Global Fellowship Program on the state of philanthropy. This looked forward to, standing room only event, examines the philanthropic world through the eyes of one of the most knowledgeable players in the field. And as always, Sandy did not disappoint. In the following two videos of Sunday night's presentation, Sandy speaks about the four major trends he sees in the philanthropy marketplace; Jewish philanthropy; the Giving Pledge; JDub's announced closure and more. Sandy Cardin's 4th Annual talk at PresenTense about the Future of Jewish Philanthropy. Part 1. Sandy Cardin's 4th Annual talk at PresenTense about the Future of Jewish Philanthropy. Part 2. … Continue Reading
You’re Invited to the PresenTense Launch Night
In Jerusalem? Come meet the 16 Fellows from 6 countries, as they launch their ventures, transforming their local Jewish communities, Israel and the world. Join the fifth cohort of PresenTense Global fellows, keynote speaker Yossi Vardi, along with mentors, coaches, skillbuilders and the PT community of entrepreneurs in this gala celebration of creativity and innovation. Celebrate the launch of their ventures and lend your support, connections and ideas to help our community grow. This will be a high energy event with an unbelievable network of influencers, innovators and connectors from all over the world, so make sure to bring your business cards. Thursday, July 28 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm Rabin Youth Hostel Nahman Avigad 1 Givat Ram RSVP is a must. There will also be livestreaming … Continue Reading
Sandy Cardin: The Future of Philanthropy
Join Sandy Cardin, President of the Schusterman Family Foundation, for his annual talk at the PresenTense Global Institute about the future of philanthropy. Sunday, July 24th · 7:30pm - 9:00pm PT Jerusalem Hub 64 Emek Refaim Jerusalem RSVP on Facebook. Livestreaming of the event will be available here. … Continue Reading
Innovation at Any Age
by Justin Korda and Esther D. Kustanowitz In the field of innovation, the term “innovative” is almost always paired with the word “young.” Admittedly, at first glance, these two terms seem a natural fit. As Bill Drayton, the founder of Ashoka, the global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs, points out, the development of high-caliber social entrepreneurs is largely linked to taking initiative at an earlier age. He bases his assertion on both experience and research: in a study of more than 2,500 Ashoka fellows, the organization saw that a significant number of these social entrepreneurs had first experienced the power of being change-makers in their younger years. Closer to home, in a Jewish community focused on courting the “NextGen” population to ensure … Continue Reading
Will We Be Builders and Not Just Buyers?
by Sarah Kass Today’s eJewish Philanthropy reports JDub is closing up shop despite a 9 year history of innovation and success. The reason? Financial pressures. The article notes that “among the reasons stated for closing are [an] ‘aging out of the cohort of Jewish “start-ups,”’ and rightly suggests this is a “troubling thought to those of us familiar with the exciting and expanding world of Jewish innovation.” JDub - an incubator for Jewish artists, a platform (through Jewcy) for young Jewish creativity, and an important connector of mainstream Jewish portals to new audiences - was apparently served well in its early stages. According to the article, both Joshua Venture and Bikkurim helped JDub get off the ground. But where was philanthropy once JDub grew beyond the … Continue Reading
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