Welcome back to the continuation of the podcast featuring Kahal. During part 2, Alex and I discuss fundraising and steps in starting up a new organization. Alex also tell us about exciting up-and-coming organizations. We conclude with Alex’s future vision for Kahal.

In the future, Kahal hopes to become a center for Jewish community and exchange. Alex feels that Kahal can create a feeling of unity in the Jewish community globally. Kahal is making a big Jewish community feel smaller.

Alex  concludes by saying, “I’ve been very privileged to meet and interact with leaders in virtually every Jewish community around the world. I can go almost anywhere in the world and feel at home because I know real people who care about me and I care about and the unique tie that we all have is that we are part of this community and we’re all trying to make it better."

Key takeaways from this episode:

1.  Fundraising comes from a variety of sources. Including: 

• Stakeholders 
• Admission fees
• Individual donors who support the mission
• Foundations or legacy institutions.

2. When starting up its important to research, research, research and to have Grit.

   Contact Alex for his power point on how to start anything. 

3.  Put the end user at the core of everything, employ human-center design. 
    (See below for explanation)

Glossary:
Shanda-scandal
Mitzvot-commandments (mitzvah - a commandment)
Human Centered Design (per wikipedia) is an approach to problem solving, commonly used in design and management frameworks that develops solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process. Human involvement typically takes place in observing the problem within context, brainstorming, conceptualizing, developing, and implementing the solution.

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Thank you for tuning in to The Bridging Connections podcast. Please partner with us to promote this important work. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or visit our website at www.bridges613.org for exciting news about innovation in Jewish life. This work depends on your feedback and donations. Please consider leaving feedback and or making on donation. We are grateful for all your support.

“I was looking to feel like people cared about me, that I am a part of something bigger than myself, deeper than myself and more important in many ways,” explains Alex Jacubowski about seeking connections in Jewish communities while studying and traveling abroad. Alex’s life experiences led him to deep sense of connection to Jewish tradition. His grandparents, holocaust survivors, shaped his passion to help preserve Jewish peoplehood. Alex created Jewish experiences for himself and other Jewish students.  While doing this he learned that interest in Jewish global connections was not unique to him. Few international students knew of the opportunities to connect with diverse Jewish communities. Alex discovered that studying abroad is a transformational and impactful experience. Although, not always a Jewish one. The Jewish community was missing a critical opportunity. These discoveries led Alex to create Kahal Abroad. 

This episode of the Bridging Connections podcast covers many topics. Alex Jakubowski, founder of Kahal Abroad, and I talk about his Jewish life journey. We learn what led him to the founding of Kahal and the process he took to create it. We also chat about Kahel’s transformation since its start. Alex also explains the out-reach methods they use to engage their target population. Alex shares how Kahel is envisioning its future. 

Although Kahal has changed since its inception in 2013, it has stayed true to its core mission. "KAHAL aspires to give the tens of thousands of Jewish students studying abroad each year the resources, tools, and connections they need to meaningfully engage with the Jewish community and deepen their Jewish identity during one of the most important, meaningful, and enduring experiences of their lives" (see their mission here). Kahal continues to tap into diverse opportunities. It creates a variety of experiences and encounters. Alex wants to be sure that every Jew knows that they don’t have to feel alone while traveling abroad. 

Key takeaways from this episode are :

1. Our world is growing smaller. There is much opportunity to learn from the diverse global Jewish community.  
2. Outreach works best when it is  multitiered. Partnerships, direct communications and individualized connections are key components to a layering outreach.
3. Research is key when launching something new.
4. Take advantage of the connections throughout the community. The Jewish community relies on who you know and who can connect you. 

Learn more about Kahal Abroad here.

Follow Kahal on here on Facebook  and on Instagram.

Email Alex Jakubowski. 

Episode Glossary : 

kahal- community or gathering

mifgash-encounters or experiences

shadkan-matchmaker / connector

Tisha b’av - The 9th day of Av in the Hebrew calendar. This is an annual fast day commemorating  the date that a number of disasters occurred in history, primarily the destruction of both Solomon's Temple by the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the Second Temple by the Roman Empire in Jerusalem.

Note about

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Thank you for tuning in to The Bridging Connections podcast. Please partner with us to promote this important work. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or visit our website at www.bridges613.org for exciting news about innovation in Jewish life. This work depends on your feedback and donations. Please consider leaving feedback and or making on donation. We are grateful for all your support.

“Film is an art, a starting point to conversation,” says Cindy Stern, executive director of the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema (CFIC). The film festival showcases current events, and trends in Israel. It creates connection to Israel providing entry points to understanding its complex culture. 

Cindy has worked with the CFIC since 2010. She previously worked for an award-winning adverting agency. There she served as the creative director, writer and broadcast producer. Cindy was born in Hollywood and has lived in Colorado, Germany, Israel. She made Chicago her home 34 years ago. She attended the University of California in Berkeley, and the University of Colorado at Boulder. Cindy has a bachelor’s degree journalism. She earned a master's degree in nonprofit management from Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership. 

The CFIC was started by Beverly Braverman and Ophira Ben-Ariah in 2005. The festival presents a mix of features including documentaries, shorts and TV series. All works are made in Israel. Their mission is to spread a love and appreciation of contemporary Israeli culture through the magic of film. Cindy explains that Israeli film makers work with small budgets. The industry relies on creating strong character development. This makes the works relatable and universal. By depicting deep aspects of the characters, the works show humanity. 

The CFIC is a strong player in theaters throughout the Chicago area every fall. This year Cindy orchestrated a large pivot in light of the pandemic. She decided to move the festival to a virtual platform in May and June. This came at a perfect time. The movie theaters were still closed to in-person views. People felt alone and many had run through their list of Netflix shows. The virtual festival was a success! It reached people in twenty-two states. It provided a wide variety of genres. There was something for everyone. Viewers had the opportunity to connect virtually for online discussion groups. This pivot helped create connections in the Jewish community when physical connection wasn’t possible. 

 After my conversation with Cindy, I am greatly looking forward to the next Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema. I hope you will take advantage of viewing the films that are featured next year. 

Takeaways from episode:

1.    Showcase (acknowledge and appreciate) Partnerships

2.    Create relationships- Take time to create relationships by showing up and creating a space of mutual support

3.    Partner with other organizations, not always for financial support

4.    Be inclusive and diverse - all genres, no barriers to entry, shows Israel from all sides

5.    Listen actively

6.    Ask people to be open minded

Learn more about the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema at:  https://israelifilmchi.org 

Follow Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema on Facebook and Instagram.

Contact Cindy Stern at [email protected].

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Thank you for tuning in to The Bridging Connections podcast. Please partner with us to promote this important work. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or visit our website at www.bridges613.org for exciting news about innovation in Jewish life. This work depends on your feedback and donations. Please consider leaving feedback and or making on donation. We are grateful for all your support.

What makes a neighborhood Jewish? The number of synagogues in the area? Kosher restaurants? Jewish community centers, Jewish schools? The western suburbs of Chicago have never been considered a mecca of Jewish life. Let’s put things in perspective. Naperville, Illinois, populations 149,000, is a suburb west of Chicago. There are about 300 Jews (about .2%). According to Wikipedia,  Jews make up about 2.3% of the population of Illinois  2.1% of the United States. There are 4 synagogues in a ten mile radius. One of those is Chabad of Naperville. This episode showcases Chabad of Naperville and its co-directors. . Rabbi Mendy and Alta Goldstein give us an idea of how they view their position as leaders in the area’s Jewish community.  You will hear what they have done over the past 15 years to build Jewish community and their dreams for the future. 

While describing their mission, Rabbi Mendy said, “Life is journey and a learning experience. Every Jewish establishment is another stop on your journey toward spiritual growth.” He explained Chabad of Naperville is place to find spirituality in your local community. They define their mission as to inspire; to light a spark in your neshama (soul). Rabbi Mendy further explained, “we are here to provide information, to inspire you and to teach - take what you want and leave the rest.”

They engage and attract people via word of mouth and advertising. They work to be non-judgmental. They don’t subscribe to the denominational labels that are pervasive in the Jewish community. Alta made that point by saying,  “labels create divisions".” Rabbi Mendy used the analogy that labels are for clothing and not people. They define success by the quality of their results rather than by numbers. They always try new things and try to continually move forward. When asked about fundraising, Rabbi Mendy quipped, “just do it!” I understood that to mean to be persistent. He elaborated by highlighting two key points. First, find those who share your passion and believe in your mission. Then, ask them to be your partner.

Key Takeaways from this episode are: 

1. Stick to your vision even if it means starting small.    
2. Be passionate and committed to your mission. 
3. Learn from what doesn’t work. Tweak what works.
4. Don’t be afraid to try everything. 

Learn more about Chabad of Naperville here:  https://www.jewishnaperville.com. 

Follow Chabad of Naperville on here on Facebook  and on Instagram.

Follow Rabbi Mendy and Alta Goldstein on Facebook and Instagram. 

Email Rabbi Goldstein. 

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Thank you for tuning in to The Bridging Connections podcast. Please partner with us to promote this important work. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or visit our website at www.bridges613.org for exciting news about innovation in Jewish life. This work depends on your feedback and donations. Please consider leaving feedback and or making on donation. We are grateful for all your support.

This Episode showcases ChiTribe, co-founded by Rebecca Joey Schwab and Sam Gelt-Sheftel. Rebecca and Sam launched ChiTribe in August 2018. Wow! Has it grown! During this podcast, you will meet Rebecca Joey Schwab. I got to know Rebecca in November 2018 when Chi Tribe was only a few months old. I am impressed with Rebecca’s passion to make Jewish life more accessible. Originally, ChiTribe was created to support those in the Jewish community in their 20’s. Rebecca and Sam realized that the need was even greater. They now serve people in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. Through their large mailing list and regular happy hours, ChiTribe keeps people connected in Chicago.  Rebecca tells us how they are keeping people engaged during the pandemic. ChiTribe was recently selected to be part of Upstarts entrepreneur sprint program. 

Support the show

Thank you for tuning in to The Bridging Connections podcast. Please partner with us to promote this important work. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or visit our website at www.bridges613.org for exciting news about innovation in Jewish life. This work depends on your feedback and donations. Please consider leaving feedback and or making on donation. We are grateful for all your support.

“When we collaborate, when we bring a group of passionate, creative, dedicated Jewish professionals together, we can change the world,” says Irene Sandalow, Executive Director of SketchPad Chicago.

This podcast shows how much is accomplished when the Jewish community organizes. Irene saw a need in the Jewish community and acted on it. She recognized that working from home wasn't enough for her. She devoted her efforts to taking Jewish values into the public sphere. She details the process of creating SketchPad from idea to reality. I enjoyed learning about Irene’s background. Irene's upbringing shaped her into being a passionate Jewish leader and community organizer. Hopefully, this conversation inspires others to create intentional Jewish communities of their own. As a new member of SketchPad, I look forward to joining committees and being a integral part of SketchPad.Key takeaways from this podcast are:

1. Sketchpad is guided by Jewish values, including collaboration, radically hospitality, inclusiveness, and warm hospitality.
2. Sketchpad began as a grassroots efforts, the founding organization took active roles is its establishment. 
3. SketchPad continues to maintain its founding values by providing a warm, open, and safe space to its members and to the greater Jewish community. 

You can learn more about SketchPad at https://www.sketchpadchicago.org. 

Follow Sketchpad on Facebook at http://facebook.com/sketchpadchicago 

You can reach reach Irene at [email protected].

Support the show

Thank you for tuning in to The Bridging Connections podcast. Please partner with us to promote this important work. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or visit our website at www.bridges613.org for exciting news about innovation in Jewish life. This work depends on your feedback and donations. Please consider leaving feedback and or making on donation. We are grateful for all your support.

“Take this vision and Bring it to life” is the tag line of Community Connect Consultants. My guest today, Becky Adelberg, the Founder of Community Connect. She has a variety of experience working in the Jewish community. She is currently the Chicago Manager of Reboot. During her career Becky has worked to engage young adults. A few of the organizations she’s worked for are The JCC Chicago, 20’s & 30’s Division, American Zionist Movement, Chicago Division, Jewish Women’s International. She is also a mentor at 1871, Chicago, a voice over artist and a children's yoga teacher. She holds a BA in Communications from the University of Kansas, an MA in Jewish Studies & Education, with an emphasis on spirituality, from Siegal College of Jewish Studies and a Certificate in Jewish Leadership from Northwestern and Spertus Institute of Jewish Learning.I am impressed by Becky’s ability to bring people together. Every event Becky organizes is well run and efficient. The programs that Becky manages and creates show how her skills foster growth in the community. Additionally, Becky emphasizes a social aspect to everything she does. She defines social as giving back. All the entrepreneurs that work with her provide a service to the community.

The key take-aways in this podcast are: 

1.    The importance of fostering and cultivating relationships. Becky suggests getting to know what inspires and motivates people.

2.    The importance of creating partnerships and collaborations. “We work better when we are together” says Becky, so join forces.

3.    Help people follow their passions. If you have an idea, Becky encourages us to dive in and not be afraid to try something. 

Becky has worked with many to start their businesses, including help me start Bridges 613. If you are inspired by Becky’s work you can reach her at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckyadelberg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourcommunityconnect/ 

Website: https://yourcommunityconnect.com 

Support the show

Thank you for tuning in to The Bridging Connections podcast. Please partner with us to promote this important work. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or visit our website at www.bridges613.org for exciting news about innovation in Jewish life. This work depends on your feedback and donations. Please consider leaving feedback and or making on donation. We are grateful for all your support.

On this episode, Elizabeth Gossage and Brianna Greenspan showcase four organizations and the resources they have developed for this year's Passover during a pandemic.  Introducing the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, 18 Doors, Jewbelong, and The Jewish Emergent Network.

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Thank you for tuning in to The Bridging Connections podcast. Please partner with us to promote this important work. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or visit our website at www.bridges613.org for exciting news about innovation in Jewish life. This work depends on your feedback and donations. Please consider leaving feedback and or making on donation. We are grateful for all your support.

Sheltering at home has helped me to realize the great need for connection to each other. This pandemic is the perfect time to introduce Bridges 613 and start regular podcasts. The main reason for Bridges 613 is to dispel the concerns that the American Jewish community is at risk. 

I recall the strong response in the community when the Pew Report came out in 2013. The Report concluded that Jewish Millennials aren't joining Jewish institutions and synagogue. It also noted that, despite everything, they are proud to be Jewish. Studies by the United Jewish Appeal in New York and The Barna Group have shown that Jewish millennials are searching new ways to connect to Judaism. Over the past 20 plus years, organizations formed that fulfill this need. Today millennials and other generations connect Jewishly in was that are revolutionary and transformative. These organizations focus on providing deep meaning and purpose and are inclusive. They do away with barriers to entry for people who have felt unwelcomed in the past. 

In the first episode of The Bridging Connections Podcast, you will hear Brianna Greenspan and I chat about why I started Bridges 613. I highlight a few of the trailblazing organizations. I hope to show case these and many more in the episodes to come.

The organizations mentioned in Episode 1 are:

1.    Moishe House- provides vibrant Jewish community for young adults by supporting leaders in their 20’s as they create meaningful home-based Jewish experiences for themselves and their peers.

2.    At The Well – connects women to body, soul, and community through wellness education and Jewish spirituality.

3.    ChiTribe’s-  goal is to make Chicago Jewish life more transparent and accessible to a modern Jewish community. 

4.    Svivah’s – mission is:  Inspiring, supporting, connecting and celebrating Jewish womanhood

Support the show

Thank you for tuning in to The Bridging Connections podcast. Please partner with us to promote this important work. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or visit our website at www.bridges613.org for exciting news about innovation in Jewish life. This work depends on your feedback and donations. Please consider leaving feedback and or making on donation. We are grateful for all your support.