It feels like just yesterday that I stood on the ROI Summit 2011 stage with my new Idea Competition team members and my jaw on the floor. Yossi Vardi had just told us that our idea for IsraCorps was “grand” and Lynn Schusterman herself told us that a Jewish Peace Corps was her “life’s dream.” Perhaps the most profound part of that moment was the standing ovation given to us by the ROI Community. It was one of those rare moments in life when you know something truly special is happening. Something big was taking shape. As we stepped off the stage, we were patted on the back, high-fived and fist-bumped. We were overwhelmed with offers to get involved and support this idea that resonated so deeply with everyone in the room.

We left the conference promising to keep in touch and try to get this idea off the ground. 

Fast forward four and half6 months. Our team now consists of Edoe Cohen, Rachel Olstein, Rachel Ishofsky and me. Although, I rarely see them in person, their emails take up most of my inbox. Together, we have dug up the rich and recent history of similar efforts. We’ve connected to major players in the community far and wide. We have honed our concept and begun to define what IsraCorps will look like. (We still haven’t found an official name, so please send suggestions!). 

The process has been extraordinary. The most exciting single moment, however, was receiving an email that Lynn Schusterman and Trevor Pears wanted to meet with us to discuss IsraCorps. I have worked in development and in the Jewish community long enough to know that an email like this comes along, well, never. To have two of the most visionary, strategic and generous philanthropists in the world send you an email asking to meet with you is a dream. But, it happened. And so, Rachel Ishofsky and I (the US-based half of our team) had lunch and conversation with Lynn, Trevor, Shoshana Boyd Gelfand and Seth Cohen. Our conversation was an honest look at the reality of creating a Jewish Peace Corps that would give all Jews and Israelis the opportunity to repair the world in places that would greatly benefit from partnership with trained volunteers. Shoshana and Seth have become important thought and strategic partners, and the ROI staff have offered steadfast support. 

Today, our team is working hard to put together a proposal that will fund the first phase of IsraCorps. We believe that IsraCorps is an opportunity for the ROI Community to affect the future of not only the Jewish people, but the world.

To learn more or to get involved, please email or visit the IsraCorps website: info@isracorps.org.il and www.isracorps.org.il. 

UPDATE: On December 25, 2011, IsraCorps founding member Rachel Olstein Kaplan was interviewed on Galei Tzahal. Coinciding with Rachel's participation and opportunity to present at Limmud, the interview focuses on IsraCorps mission. Rachel explains where the need for IsraCorps stems from, what the benefits of such an organization are and why IsraCorps is unique. Click here to listen to the interview or here to read the transcript.