2013

Email this Fellow!

 

Coach:
Peer:

Website: vinedining.com
Social Media: 
Press:

 

Venture Description

For the first time in US history, this generation of children is not expected to outlive their parents. We are facing a national pandemic of sick and obese children and adults who are frequently becoming diagnosed with easily treatable diseases: heart disease, type-two diabetes, and high blood pressure to name a few. These diseases are a direct result of poor eating habits related to not knowing about healthy choices. Therefore, my venture is to create a healthy, plant-based, kosher personal chef and cooking class business. I am going to change this problem of not knowing how to make healthy choices through teaching individuals how to cook nutritious, delicious meals that are plant-based, and happen to be kosher as well. For the parents who work full time, I would like to be the personal chef that comes to their home and makes nourishing meals for their family. And for the mom or dad who does have time to cook, I want to be the liaison to teach him or her how to cook nutritious meals. I would like to start in the Jewish community, one in which I am familiar. Because I believe in plant-based food, I am able to cook completely kosher food appealing to a more religious demographic.

About the Founder

I consider myself a Jewish vegan who gets excited by food and anything Israel-related. I graduated from Penn State University in May of 2011 with degrees in sociology and international studies. During my time at Penn State, I studied abroad in Tel Aviv, and then lived on a kibbutz the following summer. Living in Israel allowed me to fully express my Jewish self, coming home with a passion for the state of Israel and the Jewish people. I loved being around people similar to me, knowing that the stranger sitting next to me on the bus celebrated the same holidays as me growing up. Through returning to Israel as the madricha of two birthright trips post-college, I realized that I wanted to work in the Jewish community. Thus, I currently work for Maccabi USA. Aside from my love of Israel, I am a passionate about healthy, plant-based food and working out. I get most excited about my daily gym work outs and self-cooked vegan fare. Besides these passions of mine, the most important elements of my life are my friends and my family. They both contribute to my boldness and confidence to embark on a self-made business. I treasure my close friends from all walks of life, and feel fortunate to have important people in my life.

Email this Fellow!

 

Coach:
Peer:

Website: phillyaepi.org
Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
Press:

 

Venture Description

We have something like 3,000 alumni in the Philly area of all ages (mostly 20s-50s) who come from a diverse set of backgrounds and schools and have all been introduced to the idea of being involved in the Jewish community. However, the majority of these alumni (and new ones moving to the area) aren’t actively engaged and aren’t involved as much as they could be. My group has the backing of our headquarters and has begun to regularly host events aimed at adding value to the members and getting them involved in the Jewish community. We want to make sure that all their skills and experience is benefiting our community and that everyone is aware of the opportunities to getting involved.

About the Founder

I’m a software developer currently in Philly who grew up splitting time between Atlantic City and Key West. My involvement in the Jewish community didn’t start until joining AEPi at Drexel who also introduced me to Hillel. They showed me that even more than software, developing people and communities is what excites me. I was able to serve as president of the Hillel and AEPi before graduating and now volunteer as an adviser for both groups.

Email this Fellow!

 

Coach:
Peer:

Website:
Social Media: 
Press:

 

Venture Description

Utilizing my professional experience as a personal trainer and my desire to energize and inspire, I have developed a specialized group exercise class providing community-oriented connections to Shabbat. Participants experience a unique blend of fitness and mindful discussion.

About the Founder

Emily didn’t identify as an athlete until she looked back on her physical endeavors and accomplishments. After three years as a competitive wrestler, she became the first female at her high school to make the varsity team. She continued her love of sports to play rugby at Bryn Mawr College (graduated 2007). Emily’s overall approach to life is to live simply, through health and happiness. She has professional expertise in one-on-one personal training, spinning and group exercise classes and personal accomplishments of competing in multiple half marathons, triathlons and marathon.

Email this Fellow!

Email this Fellow!

Coach: Michele Rifkin
Peer:

Website:
Social Media: Facebook
Press: Jewish Exponent, Jewish Learning Venture

Venture Description

My venture seeks to fill an existing gap, i.e. many religious and day schools and Jewish camps require tools and knowledge to successfully support children with special needs. It appears that many religious school directors and staff often have limited familiarity with the strategies being utilized with these same children in their ‘secular’ educational environment. Many parents of children with special needs often become frustrated with Jewish institutions and find ways to ‘opt out’. This eventually leads to decreased engagement with Judaism for these children, as well as their parents. That is where my services come in—to support Jewish engagement for the child and family. It is more cost effective for a parent or an institution to pay for a limited amount of on-site consultation to help make environmental adaptations, utilize sensory and movement strategies, create behavior plans or visual schedules, or work directly with a child (i.e. providing direct therapy on-site at a Jewish day school or camp). Instead of being on-site all year, which is more expensive, I can provide Jewish learning institutions across the Delaware Valley with the tools to become more inclusive using shorter term support. I started working with my first synagogue recently. Azar has recently merged with Jewish Learning Venture’s Whole Community Inclusion program.

About the Founder

I originally moved to Philadelphia to attend graduate school in occupational therapy in 1999 and have remained here ever since. I participated in Tribe 12 activities during my single graduate student days, and my husband Barak and I attended couples-only dinners after we were married. Our son Julian arrived in 2004, and our daughter Sophie was born three years later. Shortly after migrating to the suburbs, we joined a small Conservative synagogue. I consider myself Jewishly engaged. I also love what I do for a living– promoting independence in self-care, educational and leisure activities for children with special needs. Occupational therapists focus on the ‘job’ of living, on ‘occupations’ such as feeding and dressing oneself, playing and interacting with peers, writing and using a computer, just to name a few. For children (and adults) who struggle to use their eyes and hands cooperatively, who might be overwhelmed with the daily barrage of sensory information from the environment, engaging in meaningful activity requires tools, strategies and adaptations. It is the intersection of Judaism and occupational therapy that brings me to the Tribe 12 Fellowship. I have always felt strongly about cultivating my own Jewish identity and ensuring my family’s full participation in the Jewish community. I feel that all people deserve the opportunity to be fully welcomed and supported by their faith communities. However, this is not as simple a proposition as it sounds for families whose children have special needs.

Email this Fellow!

 

Coach:
Peer:

Website: joystember.com
Social Media: Facebook
Press:

 

Venture Description

Joy Stember creates pewter Judaica and objects for the home for new generation of Jewish collectors. Her goal is to stress the importance of hand-made crafts and supporting local businesses. As a new generation of young professionals are getting married and having families keeping old traditions is getting harder. They have been given their parents or grandparents Jewish objects that are important but very stylistically outdated. Joy creates beautiful well crafted Judaica to help keep these families keep the traditions that have been passed down to them, only with a new contemporary flair.

About the Founder

In the winter of 2010, I went on a Taglit Birthright trip to Israel. While there, I was captivated by the landscape, culture and history. When I returned home I felt a stronger connection to Israel, my culture and my identity as an artist. This journey profoundly changed my perspective and led me to discover my true passion. I began to focus on creating contemporary Judaica full-time and opened the Joy Stember Metal Arts Studio, LLC. This decision has not only provided great personal fulfillment but also the opportunity to share my craft with the world.