During the course of the past several months, a story has been unfolding in my beloved State of Israel that has me very concerned. It involves the conversion bill currently making its way through the Knesset—proposed legislation that has the potential to cause serious and irreparable damage to the unity of the Jewish people.
I believe deeply in a Jewish community that is a tapestry of people and identities representing the rich diversity of what it means to be Jewish, and I am committed to fostering welcoming, inclusive communities for all Jews who seek to lead actively Jewish lives.
This bill runs counter to these principles, and I am writing you today to offer my thoughts on why it is an issue in which all Jews, regardless of where they choose to make their homes and raise their families, have a stake.
To read the background on the proposed bill and Lynn's concerns about the conversion law going into effect - as well as a list of links and resources for more information about the bill - please visit Schusterman.org.
If you weren't at the ROI Summit (#roicom), catch a pretty detailed look at what things looked like on the ground at Kfar Maccabiah. Video links below, with more videos to come at the ROI YouTube channel - subscribe to see things the same time that I do. :)
These remarks were delivered by Sandy Cardin, President of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, at the ROI Summit's VIP Networking Event at Jerusalem Venture Partners, on 6 July 2010/24 Tamuz 5770. [photo: Anja Waleson]
It is appropriate that all of you are present given that in this week's parasha, Mattot-Masei, we read about the gathering of the heads of the tribes of Israel. We have representation here tonight from all parts of the Jewish world: veterans and newcomers, Israeli and Diaspora Jewry, funders and service providers.
It is also fitting that we are here at JVP one of two great centers of energy, of vision, of innovation and of a glimpse of the best of 21st century Zionism. A second one is A Better Place, where Shai Agassi and Michael Granoff are making history. We are honored to have Michael with us here tonight.
We are here to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the ROI Community and, like Moses in this week's parasha, it is worth our taking a few minutes to reflect on how far this program has come before talking about its future and a few of the opportunities and the challenges in front of us.
History
Five years ago, in partnership with Taglit/birthright Israel and the Israel Democracy Institute, we convened the first ROI Summit. Our goal was to introduce young Jewish adults from around the world to the crucial issues of the day, and to encourage their involvement in the building of vibrant Jewish communities globally and locally. A few veterans from that conference are with us tonight, and I think they will agree that we have come a long way since that first gathering, thanks largely to the leadership of Yoni Gordis, Justin Korda and everyone else at CLI and ROI. Please join me in thanking all of them, including the facilitators and trainers for the 2010 Summit, for their hard work. They are what make the ROI gatherings so special.
As much as ROI has changed in the past 5 years, so too has the Jewish world changed. Many Jewish organizations that were then in a state of decline continued their slide, a downward spiral only exacerbated by the economic crisis of the past 18-24 months. On the other hand, those Jewish organizations that were on the upswing back then, many of which are represented here tonight, continued to grow and prosper, especially those who chose to focus their energies on young adults.
Groups like Bikkurim and Joshua Venture Group, Jumpstart and Upstart in America, ROI and PresenTense in Israel, Paideia and J-Hub, in Europe – and, of course, Taglit itself -- just to name a few -– have engaged, educated and inspired their peers and have modeled collaboration and cooperation in equally impressive ways. They have helped young Jews all over the world learn how to broaden the depth and breadth of their activities, all for the purpose of reaching hundreds of thousands of their friends and contemporaries with a powerful message: that actively engaging in Jewish life is a path worth pursuing in their search for meaning, for relevance and for spirituality.
Today, those worlds have converged in ways that are ripe with new possibilities while simultaneously imposing new burdens of responsibility. These opportunities and responsibilities are a package deal, and taking full advantage of the former will be impossible without meeting the challenges of the latter.
This Summit couldn't have come at a better time, morally, for me personally as an Israeli. It's been a tough few weeks. After the tumults of the Gaza Flotilla events and during the Shalit family's march - it is extremely heartwarming to realize, once again, with my own eyes, ears and mind and soul - that there are so many people who share a passion for Jewish peoplehood, culture, heritage and for the Jewish state.
This summit, so full of meaning in itself - is given a stronger meaning for me in these times. It's so good to see all of the members of this community! It's wonderfull to see participants from all over the world, that embody so much love of the Jewish people, and for Israel, regardless of their views of Israeli politics. I was deeply touched by Lynn Schusterman's words about Israel, about how Israel appears without purpose and confused. This made me sad, since it hit on a note of truth, as I sometimes feel that the main purpose left - amidst the many divides in Israeli society - is survival. And though I think that Israel is strong overall, and that many people share a purpose in living here, in the historical homeland, as free Jews - there is yet much work to do to have a more harmonious civil life here in the promised land...
But at the same time I felt that these words were said out of true commitment to "see Israel through these times", to stay by our side and to try to help, through open support and also positive, productive criticism. I bless that, that is the essence of true friendship. In this aspect, I feel Lynn Schusterman is a unique example: of consistency, responsibility and compassion in her support for Israel.
Once again - ROI and Lynn continue to inspire! Thank you for creating this amazing opportunity.
Hamutal Gillo is a researcher at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, currenlty working on the evaluation of governmental agencies responsible for the promotion of gender equality in Israel.
Last week's 36 Under 36 apparently launched what might someday be known as "list season."
Over in the UK, the 40 Under 40 list hit, with the Jewish Chronicle's picks for those younger leaders and innovators who are making Jewish London, the UK, and the world a culturally rich experience. Three ROIers scored places on this list, including 2009 Service track facilitator Dan Berelowitz, 2009 participant Hannah Weisfeld, and 2007 participant, and Moishe House London founder, Joel Stanley. Hannah also ranked at #4 on their sublist of Top 5 women, while Dan ranked at #2 on the larger list as well as on the sublist of Top 5 charity.
Jewcy, a reader supported non-profit devoted to helping young Jews and their peers expand the meaning of community by presenting a broad spectrum of voices, content, and discussion, recently named four ROIers to their list: Leah Jones (2007-9), Eli Winkelman (2007-8), Sarah Lefton (2006-8), and Dan Sieradski (2006). Check out the entire "Big Jewcy" list here.
Hannah, Joel, Leah, Eli, Sarah, Dan and Michelle will soon be gathering at Kfar Maccabiah for ROI's special 5th anniversary Summit. Look forward to reports of collaboration, professional development, skills-sharing and more - stay tuned to this ROI "news station" and of course to Twitter at @roicommunity (and to our conference hashtag, #roicom).
In an op-ed in the JTA this week, ROI founder Lynn Schusterman issued a call to Jewish organizations to embrace LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Jews as vital members of the community:
Our people represent a tapestry of interwoven identities embodying the rich diversity of what it means to be Jewish. When we neglect or deny the needs of any population within our community, we not only weaken the strands of this tapestry, we also drop the mantle of leadership we have assumed when it comes to protecting and advocating for the civil rights of minority populations.
Lynn has long been a champion of equality, at ROI and in all of her projects. Among ROI's recent cohort of grant recipients were a project for international outreach on behalf of Bat Kol, an Israel-based organization for Orthodox lesbians; Eishes Chayil, a film about Jewish women and feminism; Outside the Box and Jews in all Hues, projects on behalf of Jewish diversity and Jews of color; and a project to produce social justice comics.
This post was written by David Krantz (ROI '09), the President and Chairperson of the Green Zionist Alliance.
Yesterday the Green Zionist Alliance passed four resolutions at the World Zionist Congress! These resolutions will lead to community gardens at all absorption centers in Israel; the incorporation of environmental education at absorption centers; energy-generating solar panels and rainwater savings systems on the rooftops of all WZO, KKL and JAFI buildings; energy-efficient lighting and fuel-efficient vehicles for the WZO, KKL and JAFI; the carbon offsetting of future Congresses through carbon-mitigating projects in Israel; and meat reduction and locally-produced organic food at future Congresses.
ROI Community members represented well on the list, with Mac genius/business owner/Israel360 founder Micah Bergdale, Challah For Hunger founder Eli Winkelman, JCRCNY/Council of Young Jewish Presidents Executive Director Hindy Poupko, graphic novel artist and "Talmudist of comic books" JT Waldman, business-savvy microinsurance fund manager (or something like that) Rachael Neumann, social media rock star Susanne Goldstone Rosenhouse, environmentalist Vivian Lehrer, and journalist/activist Yoav Sivan. Of the eight, three - Micah, Eli and Rachael - will be attending next month's ROI Summit in Israel.
Congratulations to all the 36ers, especially our ROI Community members!
Evelyn Goldfinger, the beautiful, poised and talented founder of El Toratron, a theater company (teatron, in Hebrew) that draws from the legacy of the Torah, was recently interviewed on television in Buenos Aires. In this clip, she tells about the origins of the theater company, her approach in developing plays to perform, and one moment that made it all worthwhile. (The clip is in Spanish, with English subtitles.)
Innovation is not an object or a model but rather a character trait that can appear in a variety of settings. It is not an end unto itself but rather a quality that informs the lifecycle of a project, an organization, a corporation or even an individual. Its invigorating quality lies in its ability to give a sense of newness, pragmatism and hope. Most of all, it is about engagement with teams and people, psychology and nuance, and sustainability of business model.
In the article, Beth shares some tips about going beyond the idea generation/launch stages of innovation; these tools, she notes, are "centered around the leadership of any project, organization or corporation [and...] around three stages – nurturing, communication and reflecting on innovation."
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