by shamirpower [➚] · Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
In the past five years, young Jews have seen a burst of philanthropies step up to the task of training Jewish leaders of the ‘next generation.’ The programs they have developed range in quality and length of engagement; however, what they all seem to have in common is an interest in both hearing about the experiences of the fellows as well as giving them some sort of opportunity to actualize an innovative project. In some cases they also include mentoring by a seasoned Jewish professional. Perhaps one day in the future Steven M. Cohen’s disciples will looks back and say: “How did the explosions of these fellowships shape young Jewish engagement in Jewish life? Did they in face develop the type of leaders they hoped to?”
Feel free to add anything I missed in the comments section, including similar fellowships you can think of from previous generations. Note: There are many more of these fellowships that are Israel specific – I have purposely left them out since I feel like those have their own set of goals and have been around much longer. The point of this post is that there are now many such fellowships in the US.
You may have already heard of ROI120 (a five day conference in Israel), PLP (which has both conferences and an academic fellowship), CLI/Leading Up, (Insight, a one year program working full time, Charlie, basically money and support to do a birthright follow-up program), Legacy Heritage Fellowship (a year long international professional mentorship program where the fellow works toward Middle East Peace) or , and the lesser known Muehlstein Institute (an 18-month certificate in non-profit management and Jewish communal leadership).
Well, it’s time to throw a few more into the mix. These new ones don’t have an ambiguous acronym or a particularly difficult to pronounce family name, though they both are only named for the sponsoring family. More »
by Rooftopper Rav [➚] · Thursday, December 13th, 2007
For the New Yorkers among us, this class (co-sponsored by AJWS, Avodah, and Congregation B’nai Jeshurun) looks great. And it’s free.
Social Justice on a Shoestring Budget
This three-part series will explore the what, why and how of tzedakah: the religious imperative to make a difference.
Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun will facilitate this series on what Judaism says about philanthropy and social justice as a religious path and the challenges of identifying our values and putting our money where our hearts and minds are.
The first two classes will address the ethical and spiritual issues relating to tzedakah. The final class will have more of a practical focus. It will be taught by a financial expert who will provide advice and tips for how people starting out in NYC can put together a realistic budget for social change.
This program is brought to you by AVODAH, AJWS, and Congregation B’nai Jeshurun.
Date: January 15th, 22nd, and 29th
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Place: Upper West Side – details provided upon registration
Cost: Free!
To register, go to the registration page or contact Amanda Schanfield at aschanfield@bj.org
by BZ [➚] · Tuesday, November 13th, 2007
Dan “Mobius” Sieradski, founder of Jewschool, gave this speech yesterday at the GA.
Yet it is my belief that the next big Jewish idea will not be hatched inside a board room. It will not be the result of a research study. It will not come from within an institution at all. Rather, the next big Jewish idea will be the work of a young, independently minded individual seeking to address the needs of his or her own self or his or her own immediate community.
But the next big Jewish idea will not meet institutional funding guidelines — or at least, that’s what the rejection letters will say. It will be for any number of reasons: The project is too local; too global; too narrow; too ambitious; the subject too political; the creators too eccentric. Perhaps they’re more creatively-minded than business-minded and are thus bad at writing grants. Maybe they’re too young, or too idealistic.
And sometimes the grantmaker themselves are so disconnected from the realities of what the Jewish public needs — like the funders who don’t even have a computer on their desks — that you’re done before you’ve even started. Sometimes funders just don’t get it; or they do get it and they feel threatened by it. They’re afraid to give up too much control. They want safer bets.
Read on.
by shamirpower [➚] · Sunday, October 28th, 2007
The country’s oldest community Jewish day school finally gives in and changes its name to satisfy a major donor. Read on to learn about the outcry of alumni:
At a private Jewish day school outside of Philadelphia, school long called Akiba Hebrew Academy, alumni are outraged about a donation from an alum that mandated a name change to an unrecognizable name tied to a concept foreign to what many of us learned at Akiba, a school where values used to come first.
Akiba is the oldest Jewish community day school in the United States. It has many distinguished alumni including individuals active across the religious and political spectrum in the American Jewish community and in Israel.
See the letter below signed by more than half of the class of ’71 as well as the response from the school which ignores both requests made in our letter and then asks for our financial support!
Considering the growing influence of individual donors in American Jewish life we thought your readers would also be interested in the Akiba story, one that well illustrates the pitfalls of modern-day fundraising for private Jewish schools and other institutions in the American Jewish community.
If you wish, several of people who signed the letter are available for interviews. Please respond to this e-mail with a request if you wish to speak to one or more of the alumni.
Thank you,
The Akiba Hebrew Academy Class of 1971
AkibaClassof71- at – a o l – dot – com
(original letter and response below)
More »
by BZ [➚] · Friday, October 26th, 2007
Guest post from ahavatcafe:
On Thursday October 18, 2007, NYU’s Bronfman Center hosted “Orthodox Paradox: A Debate on Jewish Values,†a panel presentation featuring Shmuley Boteach, Michael Steinhardt, and Noah Feldman, three controversial men with profoundly different conceptions of what Jewish values are and why they matter.
Before diving into the debate myself (don’t worry, you’re getting more than just a summary here), here’s some biographical information about each of the panelists:
Shmuley Boteach (the rebbe) is an Orthodox rabbi, educator, and author who considers himself “America’s Rabbi.†Host of the television show “Shalom in the Home,†on TLC Shmuley is the founder of the Jewish Values Network, a television network created to share Jewish values with the world.
Michael Steinhardt (the king, he has referred to himself jokingly as David HaMelech) is one of the most-well known Jewish philanthropists, having donated over $125 million to Jewish causes. Steinhardt was instrumental in creating Birthright Israel and the Jewish Campus Service Corps, as well as The Makor/Steinhardt 92nd Street Y. Steinhardt’s philanthropy is directed through The Jewish Life Network, his foundation, and focuses on “major projects that revitalize American Jewish life.â€
Noah Feldman (the scholar) is a Rhodes scholar, author and Professor of Law at Harvard University. He helped to draft the first Iraq constitution, and much of his work focuses on the intersection of religion and politics. In the summer of 2007, Feldman published a controversial article in the New York Times called “Orthodox Paradox†in which he provided a scathing critique of the Modern Orthodoxy community in Boston in claiming that he and his non-Jewish wife were intentionally removed from a photo of Maimonides alumni.
More »
by AYK [➚] · Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007
Awright agitators, scholars, big talkers, idea people, and loud-mouths, here’s your chance.
Charles Bronfman has put up $1.5 million dollars for a visiting scholar’s position at Brandeis. It’s a 2-year appointment, during which the chosen candidate will have lots of resources to put toward assembling a scholarly-innovative-creative-communally-concerned project of some serious gravity.
It’s modeled on a competition from 1929, sponsored by Sears Roebuck Chairman Julius Rosenwald, who threw a similar contest for $10,000. The winner in 1929? wait for it….. Mordechai Kaplan’s Judaism as Civilization.
God willing, this endeavor will encourage something more readable and as weighty (in terms of ideas, not physical mass).
For full details, check here
by LastTrumpet [➚] · Sunday, September 16th, 2007
From JTA:
The Jewish National Fund sent out a mass e-mail this month announcing that it would be auctioning off a one-year subscription to Playboy and an all-expenses-paid trip to a VIP party at the legendary mansion of the magazine’s founder, Hugh Hefner, in Holmby Hills, Calif.
…
Deborah Meyer, the executive director of Moving Tradition, an organization that helps young women become bat mitzvah, questioned the JNF’s decision to embrace Playboy.
“It seems like a bit of a lapse of judgment to offer as a prize a trip to the Playboy mansion,” she said. “You have to wonder what they are thinking about who are the members of the Jewish community and what message they think they are sending not just to young women, but to men, about Jewish values and what is appropriate in the year 5767.”
JNF officials dismissed such criticism, noting that other charities have offered similar prizes in recent years.
“If people don’t want to bid on it, they won’t,” said Anita Jacobs, the director of the JNF’s Greater New York branch, which is organizing the auction. “This is America.”
Asked if she thought Playboy objectifies women, Jacobs replied: “No, not at all.”
Full story.
Contact info for the folks at JNF:
Anita Jacobs, Director of JNF Greater New York
ajacobs@jnf.org
212-879-9300 (not direct line)
212-570-1673 (fax)
Heidi Damsky, board member with the marketing portfolio
(no email given, but maybe hdamsky@jnf.org based on the others?)
by Mobius [➚] · Tuesday, July 31st, 2007
Sometimes I doubt the existence of G-d.
How else can one explain Paris Hilton’s “success,” other than to declare G-d nonexistent? What just and merciful creator would allow such a lowly creature to thrive in His world?
Uch. I’ve taken to reading the eleventh blessing of the Amidah, îìê à åäá öã÷ä åîùôè, sarcastically, as a challenge to G-d.
What significant purpose could she possibly serve in bringing the world closer to redemption? That her name should cross more lips than words of Torah ever shall? Where is justice?
But then, yesterday’s Daily Telegraph reported:
Party princess Paris Hilton is $60 million out of pocket after her billionaire grandfather – appalled by her jail term for drink-driving offences – axed her inheritance.
[...]
Hilton senior, the only member of the family left with a sizeable stake in the huge hotel chain, has let it be known that he intends to donate to charity the $2.4bn he will gain from this month’s sale of the company to private equity firm Blackstone.
It would seem that even creatures as contemptible and vile as Paris Hilton serve their purpose in this world. The former heiress just delivered a small fortune into the hands of the needy by being egregiously despicable.
It’s been said that the Lord works in mysterious ways… Perhaps now I can doubt a little less.
by Mobius [➚] · Wednesday, July 18th, 2007
Fresh from the inbox:
JSON AWARDS: The Jewish Coalition for Service Launches New Seed Grant Program with Two Initial Grants of Up to $5,000 Each
Grants will be awarded to Jewish service alumni for innovative and pioneering projects that promote social justice and social action.
New York – July 18, 2007 – Alumni of Jewish service programs can apply for seed grants to start or expand social justice projects. Projects must demonstrate authentic impact on social issues related to lack of material resources, natural disasters, influences of totalitarian and/or genocidal regimes, sustainable use of the environment, and problems related to mental or physical disability will be considered for seed grants.
“This is a great opportunity for Alumni to explore concrete ways to turn their values into action and make positive change in the world,†said Ruth Messinger, President of American Jewish World Service.
Submissions will be judged based on the significance of the stated problem and the projects’ realistic potential to demonstrate measurable impact. Secondly, they will be judged on genuine sustainability after the initial seed grant ends. Finally, the projects’ potential to engage and encourage participants in the exploration and articulation of Jewish values from various and diverse perspectives will be considered.
“The Jewish Coalition of Service is really pleased to offer JSoN Awards, said Simha Rosenberg, the Coalition’s Executive Director. We’ve believed for a long time that alumni of our programs are an untapped resource for innovative ideas and creative new ways to have an impact on social problems. Now we’re going to be able to give them some support to put their ideas into action.â€
Michelle Lackie, Director of Weinberg Tzedek Hillel, .agrees stating, “Offering seed grants to students gives them the opportunity to pursue creative solutions to social problems while enabling them to participate in the time-honored Jewish tradition of tikkun olam, repairing the world.â€
Applicants must have their Jewish service alumni profile on www.JSoNLive.com, send a concept paper (at most two pages) to info@jsonlive.com, and put JSoN Award Application as the subject line. Applications are due by August 17, 2007.
Finalists will be asked to prepare project budgets and timelines. Winners will be asked to report the results of their projects and publish photos, videos, and blogs about their projects on JSoN.
JSoN Awards are sponsored by The Jewish Coalition for Service: The mission of the Coalition is to inspire everyone in the Jewish community to dedicate a part of their lives to full-time, hands-on volunteer work. JSoN is an Online Network that puts cutting-edge web-based tools in the hands of thousands of members who are concerned about Jewish service and social justice. JSoN connects alumni from global Jewish service programs, educates the public, and makes it possible for anyone to discover information and resources that are not found anywhere else.
For additional information please email info@jsonlive.com or visit www.JSoNLive.com.
JSoN is supported by a generous three-year grant from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation.
I scoff at their “Online Network,” but this is a good initiative and they’re a good organization nonetheless.
by BZ [➚] · Monday, April 23rd, 2007
(Introduction.)
Today: Economic justice
241. “The gleanings of your harvest … leave them for the poor and the stranger.” (Leviticus 19:9-10)
242. “Do not gather the gleanings of your harvest.” (Leviticus 19:9-10)
243. “[The solitary grapes of] your vineyard … leave them for the poor and the stranger.” (Leviticus 19:10)
244. “Do not pick the solitary grapes of your vineyard.” (Leviticus 19:10)
245. “The fallen fruit of your vineyard … leave them for the poor and the stranger.” (Leviticus 19:10)
246. “Do not gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard.” (Leviticus 19:10)
247. “When you reap the harvest in your field and overlook a sheaf in the field … it shall go to the stranger, the orphan, and the widow.” (Deuteronomy 24:19)
248. “…do not turn back to get it…” (Deuteronomy 24:19) = the forgotten sheaves from #247
249. “Every third year you shall bring out the full tithe of your yield from that year … and the stranger, the orphan, and the widow in your settlements shall come and eat their fill.” (Deuteronomy 14:28-29)
250. “Open your hand to your poor and needy kin in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:11) = tzedakah
251. “If there is a needy person among you, one of your kin in any of your settlements in the land that Adonai your God is giving you, do not harden your heart and shut your hand against your needy kin.” (Deuteronomy 15:7)
252. “The first fruits of your new grain and wine and oil … you shall give to [the priest].” (Deuteronomy 18:4) = terumah, the portion for the kohanim (priests)
253. “Speak to the Levites and say to them: When you receive from the Israelites their tithes, which I have assigned to you as your share, you shall set aside from them 1/10 of the tithe as a gift to God.” (Numbers 18:26) = after the Levites receive 10% of the produce (ma’aser rishon), they have to pass on 10% of that 10% (terumat ma’aser) to the kohanim
254. “Do not delay the skimming of the first yield of your vats.” (Exodus 22:28) = when you separate the various tithes, make sure to do it in the right order, with terumot (for the kohanim) before ma’asrot (for the Levites); don’t delay the terumot
255. “No lay person shall eat the sacred.” (Leviticus 22:10) = a non-kohen may not eat terumah
by Mobius [➚] · Saturday, April 21st, 2007
Eyal Press asks, in The Nation:
What happens when a student magazine committed to fostering dialogue and to featuring a diverse range of opinions opens its pages to critical views on Israel? The sobering consequences were brought home recently to the staff of New Voices.
Full story and useful commentary.
by Mobius [➚] · Sunday, April 15th, 2007
Crain’s reports,
Matthew Bronfman, son of prominent financier Edgar Bronfman, resigned from the board of Israel Discount Bank of New York Friday, following a board inquiry into whether he used his position to benefit himself.
[...]
Earlier this year, the bank’s board hired law firm Sullivan & Cromwell to conduct an investigation of Mr. Bronfman’s activities. A report was presented to the board in March. While the report has not been released, two sources who have seen it say it looked into allegations that Mr. Bronfman persuaded an IDBNY loan officer to lend nearly $1 million to one of Mr. Bronfman’s partnerships, without telling the board. Sources close to Mr. Bronfman say the loan was made in 2005, before he became a director or bought a controlling interest in the bank.
Matthew Bronfman is currently being primped by his father to take over as head of the World Jewish Congress.
Full story.
by Ruby K [➚] · Thursday, March 1st, 2007
Remeber this guy? Yeah, with posts on him from this website alone going back to 2004 about his ridiculous antics and people’s responses to them. His latest hit piece on George Soros on townhall is so rife with idiocy I had trouble finishing it. (h/t Cliff Schecter)
Of course, Soros supports Palestinian nationalism, but that is a consistent feature of radicals — anti-Jewish and anti-American nationalisms are good, Jewish and American nationalisms are bad. Thus, as reported in the Jerusalem Post, “Soros and his wealthy Jewish American friends have now decided to aim their fire directly at Israel . . . to form a political lobby that will weaken the influence of the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC.”
How to explain such Jews? People with no national or religious roots who become politically active will often seek to undermine the national and religious roots of others, especially those in their own national/religious group. It is akin to the special animosity some ex-Catholics have toward the Church. Non-Jewish Jews are far more likely to work to weaken Christianity in America than Jewish Jews, especially religious Jews. Religious Jews celebrate religious Christians.
Ridiculous, baseless, moronic. First, not to flog a horse, who if not dead, is certainly in danger of expiring, is the continued fallacy that anti-zionism = anti-semetic. Being against Israel’s national policies doesn’t necessarily mean one is antisemetic. Also, OF COURSE there are Jews in touch with their national and religious roots who think both America and Israel need to slow their roll. Who think that being proud of themselves and their identies, being patriotic, means more than just blind support. Anybody can waive an Israeli flag or stick a “we support the troops” magnet on the back of their SUV, but it takes a whole lot more than that to support your people. I guess it hasn’t occured to Prager that there are enough Jews in this country who think that supporting Israel doesn’t mean support the most hawkish policies possible that they have formed multiple alternatives to AIPAC and will continue to raise alternative voices to support Israel the way they see appropriate: to become a better country (in their eyes) out of love, not hate or destruction.
His throwaway line about ex-Catholics is also laughable- hey Dennis, you think some of those victims of child molestation by priests who’s activities were covered up by the church have a legitimate gripe? Further, with his not so thinly veiled ACLU references, it’s as if he’s swallowed the antisemetic Right’s talking points verbatim: Jews are coming to take away your crosses, to stop you from practicing your religion. To Prager, it’s okay, because he thinks they’re the type of Jew he doesn’t like, the “non-Jewish Jew”. And again, Prager misses the mark, because there are PLENTY of religious Jews that don’t want to see religion of ANY KIND in the public square, and others that want to say, okay, if its open to Jews and Christians, it should be open to everyone, including those Koran-users that Prager seems to hate.
Don’t worry, Dennis, the fascists usually come for the communists, socialists, social democrats, and labor organizers too. It’ll be interesting to see which side you’re on then.
by Mobius [➚] · Sunday, February 18th, 2007
You have to appreciate the Nathan Cummings Foundation. They fund all the best stuff: AJWS, Avodah, BJ, COEJL, Elat Chayyim, Jewish Funds for Justice, JOFA, JOI, New Israel Fund, PJA, SHATIL… You seriously couldn’t hope for a more conscientious Jewish org — one that supports cutting edge and infinitely important and worthwhile projects.
Were it for the smattering of aforementioned initiatives alone, dayenu! It would be enough to credit Cummings with being, perhaps, the crown jewel of Jewish philanthropy — at least in my book. But it doesn’t stop there: Not in the Jewish world, nor in the secular world either.
The reason I’m writing this love letter, in fact, is because I’m so damned rootin’-tootin’ impressed with Cummings’ most recent initiative — one that has little to do with the Jewish community at all.
That project is News War.
In a four-hour special, News War, FRONTLINE examines the political, cultural, legal, and economic forces challenging the news media today and how the press has reacted in turn. Through interviews with key figures in print, broadcast and electronic media over the past four decades — and with unequaled, behind-the-scenes access to some of today’s most important news organizations, FRONTLINE traces the recent history of American journalism, from the Nixon administration’s attacks on the media to the post-Watergate popularity of the press, to the new challenges presented by the war on terror and other global forces now changing — and challenging — the role of the press in our society.
The episodes which have aired thus far are available on PBS’s website, and the full program will eventually be up there. It is must-see TV.
News War offers monumental insight into the workings of our government and newsmedia — knowledge that is essential to deciphering the barrage of media we consume, as it grants us a deeper understanding of the motivations underlying each news segment we watch, and each news story we read. I would even go so far as to say that failure to view this program may constitute “dereliction of duty” for voting citizens of the United States.
Kol hakavod to the Cummings Foundation for supporting this fantastic documentary. It is an invaluable contribution to the public discourse.
by Mobius [➚] · Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007
Lisa Goldberg, president of the Charles H. Revson Foundation, passed away last night at the age of 54, after suffering a brain aneurism.
I met Lisa when I was contacted by her assistants to potentially consult on various web-based projects for the foundation. Lisa was impressed with my work, particularly on Jew It Yourself, but saw me as a long-shot funding candidate because of my penchant for incendiary politics and Internet drama. However, rather than pushing me out the door, like most funders, she took an active interest in my projects and offered me work, presenting me with an unparalleled opportunity to prove myself, to clean up my image and to make Matzat more known and attractive to the funding establishment. “Help me fund you,” she said, inviting me to a seat at the table.
Lisa was a rare bird, for that. She was the type of Jewish professional folks like me dream of. She believed in me and my vision and wanted to see it grow, even if she couldn’t be the one to fund it.
For that simple act of faith, I thank her and mourn the loss of great Jewish soul: One willing to take a chance on a nut like me, and who in doing so, gave me strength and confidence to persevere in my work when so much seemed in doubt.
Thank you Lisa. And goodbye.
by deitybox [➚] · Sunday, January 21st, 2007
Each year, an Israeli organization called Tsad Kadima (Step Forward) hosts the Hike for Hope (website will be updated this week), a three-day hike on the Israel Trail on May 2-4 to raise money for kids with cerebral palsy. They’re a great organization, and it’s a really innovative way to give to a good cause.
You register, then you work to get sponsored at least $1,000, so if they have 45 hikers, they’ve just made $45,000 to help kids with CP and you get an amazing life-changing experience. Win-win situation. The registration fee covers all hike costs – food, tents, mattresses, etc. Shared cabins are additional.
Tsad Kadima is hosting two informational meetings, one in Jerusalem and one in Tel Aviv. Go, bring a friend, get involved. If you can’t hike, consider co-sponsoring someone.
In Jerusalem:
Monday, January 22 @ 19:30
Kehillat Yedidya, 23 Nahum Lifshitz St., Baka, Jerusalem (contact marc@amav.net)
In Tel Aviv:
Monday, February 5 @ 20:00
17/3 Rechov Yishkon, Kerem HaTeimanim, Tel Aviv
(contact yonawise@013.net)
For more details, call 02-654-0062 or email step@zahav.net.il
by Mobius [➚] · Wednesday, January 17th, 2007
The Jewish Coalition for Service’s new social networking application JSoN, The Jewish Service Online Network, soft-launched today. Sponsored by the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation and created by Live Elements (the folks behind BBYO’s social networking site B-Linked, among other familiar projects), JSoN aims to provide online networking tools for alumni of Jewish service and social action projects, such as AJWS, Panim, and Leading Up North.
The site’s pretty barren currently — I think I might be among the first dozen or so people to have signed up. It’s also in beta, like everything else these days, so I don’t want to be too judgmental. Nonetheless, a precursory glance leaves me skeptical about the site’s value — and, I swear, not just because I’m working on a social networking project of my own.
More »
by Mobius [➚] · Wednesday, January 17th, 2007
It’s no secret that I love the Dorot Foundation. Not only did they take a chance on me with my acceptance to their Fellowship program in 2004, but they are so far the only foundation that believes enough in Jew It Yourself to have invested funds in the project, making possible the launch of our first product, ShulShopper, in the coming weeks. Dorot has been so wonderful to me, I seriously can’t stop raving about them to every young person I meet.
In yet another testament to their innovative prowess and all-out forward thinkingness, Dorot has launched a brand new initiative, which I am proud to share with you today: The Social Change in Israel Awards.
This program provides a unique opportunity for US undergrads (current college students) to spend a summer in Israel working on the most exciting progressive social action project they can come up with, in collaboration with the mentor of their choice.
The program’s overall goals are:
- To promote Progressive Social Change in Israel
- To foster strong connections to Israel by supporting in-depth work, study and/or exploration with a mentor in an area about which the applicant is passionate
- To enable important work in Israel that might not otherwise be done
- To build rich relationships between U.S. undergraduates, Israel-based mentors and U.S.-based faculty
Dorot will provide $5,000 for travel, living, and project expenses.
“We’re looking for bold pragmatists,” says foundation director Michael Hill. “People who can think big while also envisioning and implementing the nitty-gritty that gets it done. Young people who can envision Xanadu [a mythical utopia] and also explain how its sewer system works! Creative, resourceful, hard working go-getters.”
If that’s you or someone you know, the application deadline is February 15, so jump on it!
Kol ha’kavod to Dorot for leading the pack with this bold new initiative, and good luck to all the applicants.
(Please note that this program focuses specifically on social action projects in Israel and not in the Palestinian Territories. Which is a-okay by me, cuz there’s more than enough things needing work in Israel to go around.)
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