It could be said that Judaism and the environment are Alexandra Kuperman’s greatest passions.She first engaged in this work in 2000 when she taught for the Teva Learning Alliance. She was so inspired with Teva’s Jewish environmental education program that she brought the model to her hometown of Toronto and launched Shoresh Jewish Environmental Programs. Starting a new enterprise made Alexandra realize that she deeply wanted to be a leader in launching successful, new nonprofit ventures. After Alexandra completed graduate school in nonprofit management and Jewish studies at New York University, she applied her learning to her leadership as Teva’s Assistant Director. At Teva, she supported multiple new initiatives, including a cross country veggie-oil fueled climate change bus tour; a greening campaign at Surprise Lake Camp and the development of a new nature center and farm program for six JCC day camps on Long Island. Back in Toronto, Alexandra is living her dream: She is launching the Centre for Jewish Innovation, a project that supports Jewish social entrepreneurs in realizing their mission.
While in New York City, Alexandra was inspired by the Bikkurim initiative. She was so moved by the idea that there could be a place in the Jewish community that supports nonprofit projects in the early stages of their formation and organizational growth that she is launching the Centre for Jewish Innovation (CJI). This project is Toronto’s first incubator for Jewish social entrepreneurs. While Toronto’s community is strong at supporting existing institutions, there is very little support for projects that respond to emerging needs and to a new Jewish generation. With the enthusiasm of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, Hillel and local philanthropists, Alexandra is turning the CJI vision into reality. Local Jewish social entrepreneurs are excited about the opportunity to benefit from in-kind collaborative office space, workshops, technical assistance and micro-grants. Alexandra ultimately hopes to create a community in which innovation is the modus operandi.
While in New York City, Alexandra was inspired by the Bikkurim initiative. She was so moved by the idea that there could be a place in the Jewish community that supports nonprofit projects in the early stages of their formation and organizational growth that she is launching the Centre for Jewish Innovation (CJI). This project is Toronto’s first incubator for Jewish social entrepreneurs. While Toronto’s community is strong at supporting existing institutions, there is very little support for projects that respond to emerging needs and to a new Jewish generation. With the enthusiasm of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, Hillel and local philanthropists, Alexandra is turning the CJI vision into reality. Local Jewish social entrepreneurs are excited about the opportunity to benefit from in-kind collaborative office space, workshops, technical assistance and micro-grants. Alexandra ultimately hopes to create a community in which innovation is the modus operandi.
