2011

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Website: www.cafeolamphilly.org
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Venture Description

Cafe Olam is a non profit venue that serves as a world cafe; integrating arts, music, a locavore menu of ethically kosher food and drink, and community fostered social and social action programming.

Cafe Olam offers a relaxed, non-coercive environment conducive to formal and informal Jewish connections, and opportunities for leadership and networking. For young adults, the model of Cafe Olam promotes the reclamation of Jewish identity on their own terms.

About the Founder

An Austin, Texas transplant, Laurel Klein comes to Philly with her partner (Rodeph Shalom Rabbi) Eli Freedman. With an MSW from UT and Jewish Non-Profit Management from HUC, experience in event planning, Jewish environmental education and many years in food service, Laurel aims to synthesize her passions to promote sustainable community that combines culture, the environment, and Judaism. Laurel and Eli live in Graduate Hospital where they brew, play ukulele, cook and enjoy local brewpubs.

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Website: wellhealingarts.com
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter
Press: MOTUne’s Monday: We’re Getting There; Challah and Our Annual Review

 

Venture Description

Deep Breath Baking gathers inspiration from the Jewish practice of preparing challah bread for Shabbat. Weaving in yoga practice and philosophy, the workshop offers an experience with a simple, universal message: rest is in the recipe. Deep Breath Baking warmly welcomes people of all backgrounds and experiences to benefit from these wise (and delicious) traditions.

About the Founder

A Philly native and avid traveler, Michal loves exploring other cultures and sharing her own. She is an experienced educator, dynamic facilitator, and certified yoga teacher with a penchant for combining seemingly unrelated things.

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Press: Two set off to Israel in effort to lure clean-tech companies to Phila.; Cleaning Up the Navy Yard 

 

Venture Description

The American Israel Business Lab (AIBL) helps innovative Israeli companies accelerate development in the US Market. When our clients are ready to do business in the US, AIBL provides the office location, professional services and strategic vision to turn plans into profits. Working in house with collaborators and affiliates, AIBL expedites and streamlines the market entry process.

About the Founder

Randy Schulz started his first business at age 16, power washing decks, homes, and buildings. After undergraduate study at Penn State University and graduate school at George Washington University, Schulz applied his skills and entrepreneurship as a communication and business development consultant to political candidates, elected officials, and corporate executives, mostly in the Philadelphia region. As the leader of a team called Nova-Comm Strategy Group (NCSG), Schulz enjoys cultivating young talent and building innovative coalitions.

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Venture Description

The objective of Uniting Through Literacy is 3-fold: to increase the literacy skills of urban students and their parents, to encourage literacy in the home and to target retired Jewish Educators as the reading specialists for the program. The children’s program will be run according to research-based strategies that increase children’s literacy levels. The adult program will focus on functional literacy. Supplemental literacy-based projects will be created for parents and children to work on together at home.

About the Founder

Sara is in her sixth school year as a Special Education Teacher in the School District of Philadelphia. Since High School, she has been interested in increasing literacy levels in urban settings. She received a B.A. in Sociology and Psychology from Binghamton University and a Masters in Education from Chestnut Hill University. Prior to teaching, Sara spent time in Israel volunteering through the Otzma Fellowship. Her favorite pastime is traveling.

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Venture Description

Toast For Trees’ main agenda includes planting trees and greening the land occupied by Jewish religious institutions. Todd’s vision is to engage needed younger constituents in these sorts of green activities which will, hopefully, create greener sustainable cities.

About the Founder

Todd is Manager of Planning & Policy at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), supporting its nationally recognized urban greening program, state and national policy development, and PHS Young Friends. Todd is also a Senior Fellow with the Environmental Leadership Program and is engaged in Philadelphia’s civic community. Previously, Todd worked as a planning and urban design consultant and for the Chester Housing Authority as a manager of successful $20 million HOPE VI grant.

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Website: jewsinallhues.org 
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Venture Description

Jews in ALL Hues is a peer-led program that provides a safe space for people from interfaith families to explore their identities as mixed heritage Jews. Many have felt they had to conceal part of their identity to be accepted, while some have never felt embraced as “authentic Jews.”. We provide an opportunity to feel accepted as a whole person and a part of the multi-cultural tapestry of the Jewish People along with educational initiatives.

About the Founder

Jews in ALL Hues Co-Founder Jared Jackson has been on a journey to understanding what it means to be a Dual Heritage Jew in today’s world. Both his passion for music and creating a truly inclusive Jewish community has strengthened his ties to not only the Jewish people, but all who share Dual Heritage. Due to this resolve, Jared received the ROI Grant (2010) and Charlie Award (2008) from CLI and Lynn Schusterman.

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Website: welcome2yourhome.org
Social Media: Facebook
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Venture Description

Through the use of conflict resolution and open communication tools, Welcome to Your Home strives to bridge the gap that often grows between those who choose a different Jewish path and their loved ones, thereby upholding one of the most important Jewish values “shalom bayit” (peace at home).

About the Founder

Jonathan is currently a graduate student at Gratz College. In May 2011, Jonathan will graduate with a Master of Arts in Jewish Education as well as a Master of Arts in Jewish Communal Service. As a part of his studies, Jonathan is interning in the Development Office at Gratz College and is also interning at the winter office of Camp Ramah in the Poconos.

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Venture Description

ReJewvenation intends to improve the health of Jews in a completely and uniquely specific way. Forgetting all of the confusing information surrounding health and fitness, the venture draws clearly and directly from our traditional writings and teachings on how to be a healthy Jew. We follow these in order to lead a life full of goodness in all areas, and health should be no exception.

About the Founder

Kyle attended American University in Washington, D.C. for his undergraduate degree in Health Promotion, and received his Masters degree in Exercise Science from George Washington University. Kyle has acquired 10 years of fitness experience, and is also pursuing an education in medicine. Kyle cannot wait to apply his education for health and wellness to Philadelphia’s Jewish community.

 

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Press: Last Hurrah At The Shore; Danielle Selber: Building Community through Gratz Roots

 

Venture Description

The Shabbat Project seeks to provide Shabbat experiences in casual, no-pressure, and non-traditional settings for Jewish young adults in their 20s and 30s, with the ultimate goal of encouraging people to “take Shabbat home” – to incorporate it into their own lives and the lives of their future families, in whatever way they choose. Retreat-style weekends and community Shabbat dinners will invite people to experience Shabbat, often for the first time, and discover that there is no “right” way to connect with Shabbat and Judaism — but millions of ways to try. The Shabbat Project’s signature program is The Shorehouse, a summer retreat house for Jewish young professionals seeking to spend a relaxing and engaging Shabbat together.

About the Founder

Danielle graduated with her Masters in Jewish Studies from Gratz College. Building off three successful fellowships in the Jewish community, including a year as a Birthright Israel NEXT Fellow, she aspires to a career in the Jewish non-profit world. A Jane of all trades, Danielle is a published writer, a Hebrew school teacher and a former real estate marketing consultant.

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Website: fourquartersproject.org
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Venture Description

In 2007, 41 teens of different faiths traveled to Israel to participate in a program called Common Ground. They discovered what they had in common and discussed differences. The friendships they developed before traveling to Israel allowed participants to demonstrate that people can get along despite disagreements. The teens returned to Philadelphia as ambassadors of tolerance and acceptance. In 2010, members of the steering committee and Common Ground alumni convened to re- launch the program.

About the Founder

Evan Levitt graduated from Quinnipiac University in 1998 and launched his career path in Israel as an OTZMA Fellow. While living in Israel, he taught English and assisted in resettlement of new immigrants through the Jewish Agency for Israel. Levitt earned an MA from Gratz College and has worked for ten years in fundraising on behalf of the Jewish community. He lives with his wife Risa in South Philadelphia.