Meet the Bring It In-Israel Winter Fellows
>>Tue Nov 23, 2010
Bring It In - Israel, an education program which teaches Judaism and Israel through sports, and developed by David Lasday at the 2010 Global Summer Institute, is running their first winter fellowship program for participants currently on long term Israel programs. Bring It In - Israel Fellows receive training as certified Israel Sports Educators through hands on sports volunteering with Israeli children ages 6 - 12, and learn from top Israeli and American Sports Based Youth Development Experts. Upon return to their home communities, Fellows will use their new skill sets to implement Israel Sports Education days.
Check out the slideshow below to meet the fellows!
Global Fellow Profile: David Kramer - The NU Campaign
>>Wed Jul 7, 2010
South African Turns Political Statement Into Trendy Fashion Statement
PresenTense Fellow David Kramer increases awareness of
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – July 7, 2010 – David Kramer is not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Kramer, a Fellow at the PresenTense 2010 Global Summer Institute, is making political statements fashionable with the NU Campaign, an Israeli clothing brand dedicated to raising social awareness and funding for important Israeli causes and charitable organizations.
As a Summer Fellow at the prestigious six-week Institute, Kramer joins fifteen other budding Jewish social entrepreneurs from America, Israel, Australia, and the UK to gain the skills and connections necessary to launch their ventures to benefit the Jewish world at large.
"The 2010 Fellows represent some of the most innovative Jewish minds today. They are embarking on projects that have the potential to transform Jewish life here in Jerusalem and around the world," commented Flo Low, Chair of the Institute Steering Committee.
Male Stanford Sophomore seeks Female London Arts Educator
>>Tue Jun 29, 2010
Now this is an awesome picture:
I caught our Fellows Nic (left, in blue) and Zach (in the baseball hat) testing Zach's prototype for his PresenTense project - a gaming platform to engage people in micro-philanthropy. The picture is not exactly an award winner since I snapped it with my blackberry, but I was captured by the idea-sharing that was taking place.
How would Nic, an elementary Jewish Day School art teacher from London and Zach, a sophomore at Stanford University studying symbolic systems ever know that the other one existed? Would Zach have thought to ask an art educator's opinion about the logic of the game process? How would Zach have known that Nic's husband has experience creating online games and has connections with some amazingly talented coders and UI experts?
Most likely, they wouldn't have.
In my opinion - this is one of the beauties of PresenTense. PresenTense brings people together from all over the Globe who are united around a single passion - bettering the world through their ventures. And each has unique experiences, visions and skills to share with the others.
We're looking forward to the development of Nic's project LooktoLearn and Zach's project (name TBD) over the course of the next 3 weeks. In the meantime - we'll be cultivating these collective experiences and hope that you'll be able to provide our Fellows with some of your own. Check out their projects and join their quests by clicking on the link at the end of each project description.
Grassroots Judaism
>>Tue Jun 15, 2010
When I think of "grassroots organizers," I think of those who spark social change movements. While change can come from the top, the biggest stakeholders in changing society are those ‘on the ground” who organize their peers to take action. These grassroots activists often oppose “the man,” the established power structures that support the status quo.
In my few weeks at the Jerusalem Hub I’ve noticed an interesting phenomenon at PresenTense. On the one hand the Institute harnesses the grassroots enthusiasm of budding social entrepreneurs who are creating an empowered minyan in Cleveland, Jewish sports programming, and networks of activists in Jerusalem. Each of the Summer Fellows is directly on the ground, in touch with people not necessarily engaged in the established Jewish community.
On the other hand, PresenTense connects Fellows to a network of philanthropists, mentors, and coaches that are deeply embedded in the established Jewish community. Reputable Jewish organizations like the American Zionist Movement, the Amitai Foundation, and the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland sponsor Fellows. Speakers this summer include Becky Caspi, Executive Director of the Israel Office for Jewish Federations of North America, and Professor Steven Cohen of Hebrew Union College.
Unlike other grassroots movements, the entrepreneurs at PresenTense partner with and compliment the Establishment. How does this happen? First, forward thinking big Jewish organizations realize that new ways of thinking are required to engage the younger generation. At the same time, young entrepreneurs are choosing to work within rather than outside the sometimes frustratingly old-fashioned Jewish world, patiently teaching how Judaism can exist through Facebook, sustainability, and hip hop.
A thought about Biking
>>Wed May 12, 2010
I got in a bike accident when I was 9. It was the first day after school of 4th grade and I was racing my friend Emily down the driveway. I turned to wave to my neighbor and before I knew it, I was on the pavement with my and Emily's bike on top of me, and I was being rushed to the hospital for an arm cast and 50 stitches in my leg.
Needless to say I was shaken, and unfortunately it took me 15 years to get back on the bike with the confidence that I had prior to the accident. But I have to admit that buying a bike two years ago was one of the best decisions I ever made, and riding has been an eye opening experience since (and I'm not talking about the need to pay attention on crowded Jerusalem streets to avoid Israeli Drivers and Pedestrians).
Staff Development Day with Potential State
>>Mon Jan 4, 2010
PT Jerusalem Staff spent the afternoon at a staff retreat with Potential State, founded by PTI alum Assael Romanelli ('08). We had an amazing time learning about and with each other, and working together, and highly recommend it for other teams!
PresenTense Summer Institute- Spread the word!
>>Mon Nov 30, 2009
Have an idea for a social start-up? The PresenTense Summer Institute application process has officially opened!
Apply here!
Want to learn more? Check out our website
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