• Skip to main content
T12_Logo
  • COVID-19 Update
  • Donate
  • Get Started
  • Let’s Chat
  • About
    • Mission
    • Team
    • Careers at Tribe 12
    • Blog
    • Contact
  • Experiences
    • Upcoming
    • Find Your Tribe
    • Anytime
  • Things We Love
  • Matchmaking
  • LGBTQIA+
  • Tribe 12 Fellowship
    • 2022 Fellowship
      • Important Dates
      • Launch Night: Sponsorship
      • FAQ
      • Apply!
    • Alumni
  • Donate
  • COVID-19 Update

Event Recap

I pretended to be a bear for Rosh Hashanah

October 14, 2020 by Davinica Nemtzow

I’ve always described myself as “nerd adjacent”. My Netflix list is almost entirely made up of documentaries, the highlight of my 21st birthday was that I could go to the Franklin Institute after hours, and my ideal date is spending a full day learning obscure animal facts at the aquarium. However, I’ve never felt inclined to dip my toe into roleplaying games like D&D and Live Action Role Playing (LARPing) even though my partner’s main hobby is playing D&D and my roommate is literally a professional LARPer. That is, until this Rosh Hashanah. 

During our most recent Shabbat (Gay)me Night, the LGBTQIA+ tribe virtually came together to play Honey Heist, a one-page roleplaying game in which you have two stats: CRIMINAL and BEAR. Now, you might be asking, “What made this (Gay)me Night different from all other (Gay)me Nights?”. While Honey Heist is a game available to everyone, this particular iteration was designed just for Tribe 12 by my roommate, the professional nerd. Our Game Master (GM) introduced the evening with the prompt “Rosh Hashanah is just a week away, and in a turn of luck Honeycon 2020 has just begun! Held at a large wilderness retreat; fans and purveyors of honey from all over will gather for a weekend of tastings and more; you’ve even heard a rumor that someone will be selling rare Black Orchid honey. Your crew is ready, the convention is open; if all goes to plan you’ll be having a sweeter Rosh Hashanah than ever before!

While we worked together to figure out puzzles and hatch schemes to steal the honey—including an elaborate ruse in which my bear, who was dressed in a B&W striped shirt and a beret, seduced the lead singer of the featured band by trying to pass off bear sounds as French—the game was filled with many delightfully Jewish easter eggs. The camp map was actually just URJ Eisner Camp in the Berkshires, the main stage had a shofar blowing, you could get samples of round challahs in the vendor hall, and we were given clues like “The note just says shana tovah”. 

However, our treasure trove of stolen honey wasn’t the sweetest part of this game. For a few hours, I could truly enjoy the new year with friends without having to contort my celebration to fit all of the safety regulations of the pandemic and the grief of losing RBG. I tried something new, I released the expectations of what Rosh Hashanah “needed to be”, and I spent time laughing with my queer Jewish community. Somehow, playing a Jewish pickpocket bear named Misha checked all of my boxes for entering 5781. 

This was an incredibly fun game for well-seasoned gamers and newbies alike and I’m looking forward to incorporating it into my Rosh Hashanah celebrations for years to come. If you’re interested in our monthly LGBTQIA+ (Gay)me Nights, come play Codenames with us on October 16. I promise you, this isn’t your bubbe’s Mahjong night at the JCC, it’s likely a lot more tame and a lot more friendly.

Filed Under: Adulting, Cool Stuff, Event Recap, LGBTQ, Philly, Social

Reflections on the 10th Annual Tribe 12 Fellowship Launch Night

May 20, 2020 by Hannah Isaacs

To those who attended our virtual Tribe 12 Fellowship Launch Night – Thank you! We hope you were inspired by the work our Fellows put into their ventures. It takes a lot of courage to continue to innovate and dream big in these uncertain times and we could not be more proud of their achievements.

Unable to make Launch Night this year? Check out our virtual recording of the evening here. Want to keep up with our Fellows and learn about the things they are working on and needed as they continue to grow and develop their ventures?

Read below to learn more about what they are up to and how you can help!

Hillary Barlowe: Ehyeh

I am looking for folks to follow my Instagram @spiritcarekit to meet the artists and healers contributing to the boxes. Preorder a box for yourself or sponsor one for a neighbor.

Jessica Creane: IKantKoan

I need $10,000 to pay a team of designers a living wage for the month it will take to make R&J a reality.

Alex Fox: Real Estate for All Abilities 

Follow me on Instagram at @closeitwithfox help me reach, and let me know of disability organizations. And refer me to clients of all abilities that could use my help in real estate.

Matthew Goldberg: MakeAway Retreats 

Sign up for the first retreat at super early bird pricing or express interest! Find more information here! 

Dani Horn: Repair the World Philadelphia 

I am looking for volunteers for in-person and virtual opportunities to address local urgent needs as well as financial contributions to support Repair’s community efforts.Visit werepair.org

Sara Kupfer: Fit Jewess 

I am asking 5 of you to introduce me to a social media influencer who has an engaged Jewish female following for a one day Instagram takeover so that I can increase my reach. Follow me @fitjewess

Shoshana Leshaw: CreativeCare Consulting

I am looking for 2-3 people who are creative, business-minded, and driven to partner with me part-time as I grow this idea. Together we can remind mental healthcare workers that they are not alone.

Caleb Murphy: TheKindversation

Please like and subscribe to my Youtube channel and share my videos on all your social media platforms.

Katie Rabinowitz: The Shaw Method

I am looking for new clients looking to shake up their routines by signing up for my newsletter, joining my daily classes, or signing up for a personally curated program. Follow me @theshawmethod 

Michael Saks: Michael Saks Digital 

I am looking for 10 small Jewish businesses looking to update or develop their digital footprint. Follow me @themichaelsaks 

Noga Schechter: Rapid Medical Parts, Inc

I am looking for connections to Medical Facilities, NGOs, Municipalities and State Governments to fill in pre-orders for our emergency ventilator solution. 

Ashley Toal: iGoodBoy

I’m looking for a dog trainer who can help me lead virtual dog training sessions. Follow me @igoodboypets on Instagram! 

Nicole Wasilus: Everybody Loves Organizing 

I’m looking for new clients in the Philly area who want to organize their homes. Schedule a free virtual consultation with me at bit.ly/lovesorganizing. And follow my Instagram @everybodylovesorganizing

For more information on our Fellowship Program please reach out to Fellowship Coordinator Polly Edelstein or see our website! 

 

Filed Under: Cool Stuff, Entrepreneurs, Event Recap, Fellows, Professional

Eight Great Dates

December 27, 2017 by Rachel Waxman

This idea came from a Tribe 12 regular. What he pitched was a spin on speed dating where we let people know what they have in common right off the bat. The way it worked was that each person who wanted to attend either had coffee with me or filled out a quick survey telling us about their interests. Then our staff curated personalized icebreakers for every date — so a pair would receive an envelope that said something like “Ciao, David and Sara! Both you traveled to Rome last year”, and, armed with a foolproof first convo, they would head off to the couch or table of their choosing at Smokin’ Betty’s.

One participant told me the next day “I liked the idea of mini-dates of going anywhere you want instead of just structured staying at one table and everyone rotating. Going anywhere in the bar gave it a more relaxed feel. I’ve previously never been a fan of speed dating, but I enjoyed last night’s different approach.” Seven matches came out of this event!

Filed Under: Event Recap

Thanksgiving Shabbat

November 5, 2017 by Rachel Waxman

A lot of my matchmaking people seemed to be sticking around Philly for the holiday weekend, so I threw on a brisket and invited them over. We did the traditional Shabbat blessings, had an impromptu Disney sing-a-long around midnight, and inevitably the evening ended with me redoing everyone’s JSwipe profiles. This kind of ‘event’ is often my favorite, where happenstance brings a bunch of people who just happen to be on the market into the same room — and whatever happens happens! 

Filed Under: Event Recap

Book Lovers Speed Dating

October 30, 2017 by Rachel Waxman

I always joke that my goal with speed dating events is to create an experience which doesn’t require years of therapy to recover from. For this reason I usually like to add an interesting element to speed dating, something to elevate the conversation from the typical “what’s-your-name-and-what-do-you-do”, and also a way to stave off those dreaded long silences. I noticed I was meeting a lot of readers on my matchmaking coffee dates, so I designed a speed dating event for them.

Each person brought a favorite book or two to use as an icebreaker/conversation starter. Instead of going from table to table, pairs found a cozy spot on a couch or elsewhere in the private lounge of a condo building. The feedback I got was that it felt like discussing literature in someone’s living room, and that having books to talk about instantly brought the conversation to a deeper level.

One woman later told me “I thought the event was well put together, comfortable and non-nerve racking!” We heard from one guy: “Super laid back and fun. Honestly, even if I don’t date any of these women, I’d definitely hang out with them. I also liked the guys there – people were just cool.” Ten first dates and one serious relationship (that we know about) came out of this event!

Filed Under: Event Recap

Connect with Us

Join Our Mailing List

yo@tribe12.org
267-652-0088

1900 Market St., Floor 8
Philadelphia PA 19103

Careers at Tribe 12 | Donate
© 2022 Tribe 12. All Rights Reserved | Design by Spacious