The unique characteristics of ROI that keep that differentiate it from the myriad of other Jewish leadership programs are as follows:

The international nature of the community: The fact that the ROI community includes over 350 members from some 30+ countries is one of the most powerful examples of ‘global Jewish peoplehood’ in action today.

The diverse profile of members: The common thread that links ROI members is the innovative nature of their Jewish ideas and initiatives – whether they are independent social entrepreneurs focused on the Jewish world, Jewish communal professionals, government and public sector professionals, private sector workers, or social entrepreneurs who apply their Jewish values to non-Jewish settings. Furthermore, the range of fields that members operate within is continuously expanding and includes artists, environmentalists, media, techies, Israel advocates, youth workers, and more.

ROI’s definition of innovation: ROI recognizes that in today’s Jewish world innovation is often a function of setting and that innovative ideas can come from every field. What would be considered innovative Jewish programming in El Salvador probably wouldn’t fall under that same category in New York City. Moreover, the act of learning about an innovative initiative and seeking to replicate it another community is inherently innovative. By providing a forum for members to learn about each other’s communities, ROI serves as a platform for idea sharing that encourages the adoption of innovative practices in diverse communities throughout the world.