Not your Grandmother’s Judaism

PresenTense Global Fellow Fashions Hip Jewish Identity

Jerusalem, Israel-July 7th, 2010— Hip, cool, edgy, and fresh … These are the words Yishai Mizrahi-Varon aims to communicate not only about fashion and music, but also about Judaism. As the Associate Marketing Director for Shemspeed, an independent recording label devoted to Jewish, World, and Alternative music, Mizrahi-Varon is launching the Shemspeed Keffiyeh Project at the PresenTense 2010 Global Institute. The goal of the Shemspeed Keffiyeh Project is to leverage popular trens – in this case, fashion and music – in order to engage young Jews in an interactive dialogue about Jewish identity, culture, and Israel. 

Beginning in the fall, Mizrahi-Varon and Erez Safar, the Founder and Director of Shemspeed, will bring this innovative program to college campuses throughout the U.S. The project will feature an Israeli version of the keffiyeh (a Middle Eastern scarf that has emerged as the ultra hip fashion accessory especially among college students), informal workshops about Jewish identity, cutting edge and original Jewish music, and role models that personify creativity, passion, and Jewish commitment. 

The “It” Spot for Jewish Professionals: The Capital Jewish Forum

Australian Jewish Leader Develops Venture at PresenTense Jerusalem Institute

July 8, 2010, JERUSALEM— 

While serving as the Executive Officer for the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission in Australia, Manny Waks observed that many of his young adult peers were disengaged from the organized Jewish community, which is centered around synagogues, day schools, and Israel advocacy. 

Waks, now Vice President of the Jewish community in Canberra (Australia’s capital), decided to build a different Jewish communal model that would better appeal to young professionals like himself. 

He founded the Capital Jewish Forum (CJF) in August 2009 to promote discussion and engagement with intellectuals, dignitaries and leaders on topics which are of relevance to Jewish academic, policy and business professionals. He is further developing his project this summer as a Summer Fellow at the PresenTense 2010 Global Institute in Jerusalem.

Launched by Mr. Mark Dreyfus MP at the Australian Parliament House, the CJF recently established its Board of Advisers, which is chaired by Assoc. Prof. Danny Ben-Moshe and includes among its members Mr. Dreyfus, Mr. Jeremy Jones AM, Mr. Bob Magid, Mr. Gad Ben-Ari, and Ambassador Martin Indyk.  

The CJF, a non-partisan organization, provides a means of engagement through “a secure and inclusive environment for Jewish professionals whose personal perspectives are welcomed, indeed encouraged,” according to Waks. 

"There's no such thing as a free lunch."

That may be true, but there are free 10 day trips to Israel on Birthright. It sometimes feels like Jewish organizations respond to lagging participation in Jewish activities by throwing money at the problem (e.g. me) and I'm not complaining. It's pretty easy to observe Shabbat meals when you receive an $18 reimbursement for each participant through Birthright Next.

Last week at PresenTense Global Institute we heard from some of the Jewish philanthropists and professionals invested in these programs: Alisa Kurshan, Senior Vice President at UJA-Federation of NYC, and Lynn Schusterman and Sandy Cardin of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation. I was excited to meet the people that support Birthright and to hear their vision for a Jewish community.

That's why I was surprised when it seemed like everyone, speakers and audience, expressed concern about "entitled Judaism." Yes, Sandy Cardin emphasized that Birthright plants the seeds for future Jewish donors, and Kurshan enthusiastically observed the great demand for the Birthright brand. But questions were raised about the value of a free product. Moreover, Kurshan described how Birthright returnees called the UJA Israel hotline asking how to return to Israel, but were surprised to find they might actually have to pay the second time around. Do younger Jews consider the Jewish brand worth paying for?

There are signs that my generation does not feel the same sense of responsibility to invest in the Jewish community and its institutions, as demonstrated by less communal giving among the younger demographic. Hundreds of thousands of people gave their sweat and money to build the alphabet soup of an organized Jewish community we have today, from the AJC to the ZOA. Will these institutions survive? Should they?

 The discussion introduces the concept through personal stories, review of the source of business ethics (TaNaKah, Mishnah Gemorrah, modern texts, etc.), case studies, discussion on character traits and the integration of those into business.

The goal is to make the attendee aware of Business Ethics and to incorporate those lessons not only in the business work, but in life in general.

Rick Zitelman founded The Zitelman Group in 1985 to identify closely held investment opportunities and provide financial services to entrepreneurs who share his vision - success. His goal was simple - to help turn entrepreneurs into business people and their businesses into successful endeavors.

Since then, the company has evolved to provide asset management, investment and merchant banking, investment advisory and active investor services.

A graduate of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Economics and a major in Accounting, Rick is published, is often a speaker at financial conferences and events and has been engaged as an expert witness in litigation cases throughout the country. Rick is involved in many philanthropic organizations, is a co-founder of Save a Torah, Inc. and serves on the board of directors of Aish HaTorah in Washington, DC.

Cost:15 Shekels

Address:64 Emek Refaim,  Jerusalem

RSVP @ Jerusalem@presentense.org

Out with the old, in with the new! PT's new banner for the Jerusalem Hub is up and nicely represents the exciting year to come for PT - filled with growth in the Boston Fellowship program, an exciting 2010 Summer Institute, and many events to come!

,השפעת היחיד: תרומת היחיד בתהליך הנתינה
בהשתתפות: גב' מאיה נתן, מנכל"ית JFN
גב' רונית עמית, מנכ"לית קרן גנדיר
מר אסף בנר, ממייסדי קרן פסיפס

במהלך העשור האחרון, הפילנתרופיה הפכה מפעילות של העשירים אל דאגה להמונים. תרומות באמצעות האינטרנט, מעגלי נתינה, והערך של תורמים קטנים, שינו את הפילנתרופיה כך שישנם כיום תורמים ממגוון סוגים ותחומים. במקביל, תורמים "מסורתיים", עדיין משמשים כעמוד השדרה של המגזר השלישי. כיצד תחומים אלו ימצאו מכנה משותף, ומה טומן בחובו עתיד הפילנתרופיה לתורמים מכל הסוגים?

עלות: 15 ₪.

יש להירשם מראש אצל מיה בכתובת: Jerusalem@presentense.org או בטלפון: 02-5630116.

Individual Impact: Playing a personal role in giving, no matter the amount, a panel with:
Ronit Amit, CEO of the Gandyr Foundation,
Maya Natan is the Director of JFN Israel
Asaf Baner a founder at Psifas Fund.

Over the past decade, philanthropy has gone from an activity of the wealthy to a concern for the masses. Online donations, giving circles, and the value of small donors have changed the way philanthropy is practiced, and donors of all income brackets are taking an increasingly active role in giving. At the same time, traditional foundations and philanthropies remain strong and form the backbone of the charitable sector. How will these different areas find common ground, and what does the future of philanthropy hold for donors of all sizes? We'll hear from three Israelis involved in philanthropy.

Please RSVP @: Jerusalem@presentense.org

cost: 15 Shekels