2013

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Website: spectrumphilly.org
Social Media: Facebook
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Venture Description

Spectrum Philly currently functions as an organization that hosts social and cultural events for queer Jews in their 20s and 30s. Spectrum builds community for these Jews who otherwise might not find a place for themselves in Judaism at all – but in it’s current state, it builds a relatively insular community. I intend to transform Spectrum into a larger organization with wider roots, acting as a bridge between queer young adults and the greater Jewish community. Studies show that even though more synagogues are identifying themselves as queer/LGBT-friendly, they are not attracting LGBT members. Jewish communities cannot rely exclusively on pale outreach efforts from within their historically queer-unfriendly institutions to create spaces where queer Jews will feel at home; rather, queer-outreach organizations need to create that space from the outside in. Spectrum needs to actively connect to synagogues, the Gershman Y, the other arms of Tribe 12, and more. Spectrum needs to create spaces for young queer Jews at events that are not expressly queer-friendly, and plan Spectrum sponsored events that are open to the greater Jewish community, and ultimately serve as a national model for queer young adult involvement in Jewish communities. Spectrum Philly merged with Tribe 12 to create the current Tribe 12 LGBTQIA+ Tribe.

About the Founder

Architectural designer by day, community organizer by night, Makella is a passionate, resourceful problem-solver backed by a practical foundation of design, leadership, and project management. Drawing on her own struggles to make a home in both the Jewish and queer communities, Makella finds great strength in building bridges and bringing people together in exciting, entrepreneurial, and meaningful ways. Makella is a co-author and illustrator of “Ma Nishtana,” a GLBTQA haggadah that is at once both innovative and traditional. She is a graduate of architecture programs at Drexel University and Washington University in St. Louis.

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Venture Description

The Changency is a fellowship-style initiative that teaches its participants that they have the ability to make an impact on their community as an individual and as part of a group. This addresses the issue that many young people feel that since they don’t necessarily have money to donate, they can not influence change around them. Through the exploration of social justice, volunteerism, advocacy and philanthropy, participants will get to accesses a variety of ways they can make a difference in their community through a Jewish lens.

About the Founder

I am an energetic Jewish Community Professional with a constant drive to make things better than they already are. I’ve lived: In Elkins Park, PA, Akko, Israel, Ithaca, NY, Washington, DC, & Philadelphia, PA. I’ve learned: At Cheltenham High School, the Jewish Community High School at Gratz College, & Ithaca College. I’ve lead: Campers and Staff at Habonim Dror Camp Galil, student leaders at Ithaca College, Jewish community programming with The Collaborative. I love: Meeting new people, trying new things, developing new and innovative programming, bringing people together, standing up and speaking out, the idea that social media is the truest form of democracy that exists globally.

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Website: learn2earn.org
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Venture Description

My online platform Learn2Earn is a fun and interactive reading incentive platform. It tracks and motivates active reading. My site also creates online reading communities that involve students, parents, and the students’ families and friends to provide the social and instructional support and motivation for reading. My site also has a crowdfunding fundraising platform built into it so that in the case that a school or other organization wishes to use my site to do a fundraiser then schools receive money based on the number of books their students read. These fundraisers are particularly profitable because they tap into each students’ network (realistically their parents’ network) to significantly widen the net of donors.

About the Founder

I attended Jewish day schools from kindergarten to 12th grade. After high school I went to Williams College where I studied Economics, History, and Statistics, and graduated in June 2012. I decided to start Learn2Earn because I’ve always been passionate about education and reading and have always wanted to do something that positively influences a lot of lives. Now I’m excited about my company and all the different places it can go.

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Website: vinedining.com
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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.

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

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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.