Mara Swift

The Case for Fun Time at Work

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After our time at The Collaboratory in Atlanta, we are ready to get to work. One thing we learned (or re-learned) was how great our team is. Conferences and other formal learning environments help organizations develop and move strategy forward, but they can be an honest waste of time if a foundation of trust does not already exist.

It can feel funny or even irresponsible to spend money on team bonding activities. After all, you and your team probably have your hands in multiple projects and sometimes the eight-hour-day is more than eight hours. That said, taking a pause in the whiplash of a typical week is productive; employees that care about each other, work better together! 

It can be a struggle to get everyone excited for the same activity. Here are some Philly-based ideas that lots of different crowds could enjoy. 

Food

City Kitchen at Reading Terminal Market offers Food Network inspired team building activities! Super cool to be able to cook delicious food in a Philadelphia institution.

If budget is a concern, that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate food into your activity. Try going somewhere with something fun to eat. We suggest TABU because they have SEVEN tot options. Does anything scream team bonding more than small fried potatoes?

A carton full of cheesy tater tots held up in front of a rainbow sidewalk

Instead of fussing at everyone to put away their phones, encourage them to take artsy pictures like the one above! Taking pictures of food and each other, while sometimes a drag, is actually a really cheap way to bond if everyone gets into it!

Axe Throwing

We went to Urban Axes a few weeks ago and it was a blast! Competition may seem like an obvious no-no when it comes to team bonding, but it can be good! It is a reminder that your team has many different skills. Each of you has strengths and struggles and that is what makes you a good team. AND AXE THROWING IS SUPER FUN.

An axe is held up in front of a target

Bowling

There is a fair amount of sitting involved in bowling. This is a good option if your team likes to chat or doesn’t want to deal with learning rules to a new game. Mix up the atmosphere by going to one of the many cool bowling alleys in the city, like North Bowl or the philanthropic PEP Bowl.

Have you had a team building activity that is worth spreading the word about? Let us know!

Last Minute Ways to Spice up your Seder

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Family rituals have a lot to do with why some of us look forward to Passover– and why some of us don’t.

Horseradish-stained Haggadot, Elijah’s cup your cousin made in third grade, and of course, the smell of Bubbie’s soup help create the comfortable feeling of this spring holiday.

But, regardless of how you feel about the holiday, it can feel a bit odd trying to incorporate modern and innovative themes into this v old, very traditional holiday about freedom. But making this holiday fun and meaningful is the best way to avoid the fifth question– “are we done yet?”

So if you haven’t ordered the Hogwarts Haggadah, don’t worry! It will probably be on sale soon and you can preorder it for next year.

In the meantime, we highly suggest flipping through Haggadot.com. It breaks up the steps of the seder so you can curate a Haggadah that is reflective of you and your values. SO. COOL.

For all the HamilJews out there, the Hamilton Haggadah is ready to download. It is written by two Philly-based Reconstructionist Rabbis-to-be!

If you find that the powers-that-be at your seder aren’t down with your Jewish creativity– tell ’em BOY BYE.

Traditional picture of Moses parting the red sea with Beyonce lyrics "Tell Him Boy, Bye" on top

Just kidding, you probably don’t want to do that. But you can compromise by sprinkling some Beyonce Seder Memes on the table or adding some Manischewitz Sangria to the alcohol line-up.

Also, make sure to save room for the great community seders and events happening in Philly throughout the week. Save your seats now for Wednesday’s LET MY PEOPLE DRINK cocktail class and Thursday’s LQBTQ Community & Allies Seder.

Wishing you all a delicious, meaningful and freedom-filled Passover.

Tribe 12 goes to The Collaboratory

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This week, the Tribe 12 team is packing their bags for Atlanta to attend the annual Collaboratory conference!

For this gathering, sponsored by the Shusterman Family Foundation and the Lippman Kanfer Foundation of Living Torah, we will be joining more than 80 other kick-ass Jewish organizations to build relationships, strengthen skills and build strategy.

We are excited to meet some new faces and hear their stories and successes. We are also really proud to roll into Atlanta with this all-star Philly crew…

  • Challah For Hunger:  Challah is a member of our co-working space, Tribe Commons! We’re looking forward to talking with the Challah team without a computer screen in the way.
  • Jewish Family and Children’s Services: JFCS has guided us through a few diversity training events and has helped coach our staff. We are excited to catch up with Tribe 12 Fellow, Polly Edelstein who is part of the JFCS crew rolling into Atlanta.
  • Presentense:  We partner with them for our Tribe 12 Fellowship and are used to a working long distance relationship, so we are excited to see what they are doing throughout the country!
  • 2016 Tribe 12 Fellow, Adam Wodka, the founder of Urban Detour will also be attending Collaboratory. If you are new to Philly or you’re a Philly native, Urban Detour is worth checking out for a new way to explore the city!
  • Marriage Minded Mentor:  Aleeza, owner of Marriage Minded Mentor, was a Tribe 12 Fellow in 2013! Marriage Minded Mentor is more than just a matchmaking service; Aleeza helps couples find each other and create a foundation for a healthy relationship.
  • Limmud — The international pluralistic learning community has a chapter in Philly. It is run by the Center City Kehillah, whom we help organize this massive conference!
  • Jewish Kids Groups: No JKG isn’t Philly-based, but Tribe 12 staff Danielle’s sister Maya works there so they are cool enough to sit with us.

We can’t wait to bring back what we learned to the City of Brotherly and Sisterly Love. Until then, YALLABYE.

Masks, Flasks and Illuminati Cookies: Things You Didn’t Know about the Frattiest Jewish Holiday

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Purim celebrates a time when a government tried to kill the Jewish people. And they failed! So now we eat! And drink!

For those who copped a shluf during Hebrew school, see this in-depth, drunken history of Purim provided by our friends at A Very Awesome Purim. 

Have you ever thought about what the word Purim even means?

Purim (פורים) is the plural of “lot,” like lottery. Back in Persia, around 350 BCE, there was a different, less fun, kind of lottery. Haman, an advisor to the King, picked a day to kill all the Jews. But, it turned out that his lot was the unlucky one, as he was the one killed.

So how did this chag become the Jewish child of St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween?

We are supposed to be so !*!*HAPPY!*!* on Purim that we can’t tell the difference between Mordechai and Haman—or someone who exudes goodness and someone who exudes evil. How do we do this? We dress up! We drink a lot!

#lechaim.

And, why the heck do we eat triangle cookies?

We can pretend hamantashen have to do with the Illuminati pyramid, but there are plenty of other explanations for these delicious triangular treats. Keeping with Jewish tradition, the symbolism of the delicious hamantashen is up for debate.

Hamantashen (hay-mohn-tash-en) literally translates to Haman’s pockets, something that hints at Haman’s corrupt nature. Some say Haman had triangular ears that were cut off before he was hanged.  Mohn, is also Yiddish for poppy seeds—a traditional filling.

So make yourself some Purim Plans! Here’s what is going on in Philly:

Thursday, March 9th
Young Friends of NMAJH Purim Party

Friday, March 10th
Graduate Network’s Pre-Purim Shabbat
NextGen Shabbat in the City

Saturday, March 11th
Monte Carlo Purim Masquerade

Sunday, Mar 12th
Kaiserman JCC Purim Carnival

ICYMI: Your Values, Your Activism

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ICYMI Your Values, Your Activism
By Mara Swift, Social Media & Communications Intern

Since November 8th, many of us have lost the luxury of political apathy. ‘What do I do now’ conversations with friends, co-workers and family members are frequent and can be emotional. But they often lead to important next questions.

How can I act on my values, and perhaps more importantly, how can I do this effectively?

These questions are hard to answer! But, there are people working day and night organizing and advocating for their (and our!) causes. Now, more than ever, we need to listen and learn from them.

On Monday, February 13th, Tribe 12 organized New To This: An Activism Bootcamp. We heard from passionate, young, and down-right experty, experts.

Dan Siegel, who has served at every level of campaigns from local to presidential, schooled us on grassroots organizing and explained how to influence public perception, regulations and public policy through our actions.

Kellan White, political consultant and former City Council aide, went through the steps of effectively lobbying your legislators. Tip: be strategic and don’t kvetch, or as Kellan White said, “don’t be the bratty constituent if you want to be listened to.”

Neil Deegan is a fundraising consultant, managing partner at a strategic consulting firm, a former congressional staffer and former state director of a health care coalition (oy, he’s busy).  Neil explained how to fundraise and grow political support to the campaigns and organizations you care about. Storytelling, not The Little Mermaid, but YOUR story is “the best tool in your arsenal.”

Marni Snyder, criminal defense attorney, lead a “know your rights” training to prepare us for protests and rallies. She gave us these helpful tips:

  1. If a police officer approaches you, ask “am I being detained?” If they say no– walk away!
  2. If you are detained/ arrested it is helpful to have copies of your prescriptions and important phone numbers available (your phone may be taken away).

Organizing is an ongoing process and we were thrilled to host this event. Philly (and Jewish Philly) is stepping up to help us take effective action. To continue staying involved, check out Repair the World’s February Day of Service and Action.

Thank you to our speakers, the Tattooed Mom for hosting us, and a big, big thank you to Brett Goldman who helped put this important event together.

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