This past Sunday night, 2000 participants from current MASA long-term programs gathered at Jerusalem's Convention Center, Binyaney Ha"Umma, for the annual Mega Event. Representing scores of programs, and countries, the crowd was on a continual high all night. The only downside - the outrageous prices charged by the Falafel concessionaire! The lead performers, The Idan Raichel Project, were an absolute hit with both the young adult participants … [Read more...] about MASA Mega 2009: Israel, Your Home Away from Home
Archives for October 2009
A New Level of Engagement in the Jewish Agency
How many of us can't sleep at night because we are worried about the future of our Jewish community? I met someone this week, who told me in all sincerity, that his concern for his community’s collective future gives him no rest. So it was fitting that he, together with another two dozen participants of the Jewish Agency's Global Emerging Leaders Forum, were given open access, and serious time, to engage with the highest ranking lay leaders … [Read more...] about A New Level of Engagement in the Jewish Agency
Jewish Identities, Jewish Values and the Jewish Future
You might expect sparks to fly with topics like the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora, the role of social action in Jewish life, and the tension between liberty and loyalty. But three marquee panelists - Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky, Rabbi Jill Jacobs of Jewish Funds for Justice, and Israeli music superstar Kobi Oz - largely agreed when they talked about those issues earlier this week during the Jewish Agency’s meetings in … [Read more...] about Jewish Identities, Jewish Values and the Jewish Future
FutureTense NY Launches With Focus on Jewish Education
What is more important for a Jewish informational web site - being on the first page of Google search results or having credible, high quality content? Is the Internet just another tool in the arsenal of educators, or does it fundamentally change the way in which learning takes place and the power relationships between students and teachers? Is online learning over-hyped, or is it the future of Jewish education? These were some of the questions … [Read more...] about FutureTense NY Launches With Focus on Jewish Education
What Are the Challenges to Social Network Fundraising?
Proving that social media can be used to raise significant funds for nonprofits is “the brass ring” that every nonprofit utilizing social media wants to reach. But it is quite an elusive brass ring! There are a number of challenges to overcome before social network fundraising is as easy (and fruitful) as email donation solicitation, offline donation appeals, or the “donate now” button on the website. On the other hand, social network fundraising … [Read more...] about What Are the Challenges to Social Network Fundraising?