An App That’ll Chant Your Haftarah Portion
Two new mobile apps are poised to revolutionize bar/bat mitzvah preparation, and possibly the whole practice of learning to chant Torah.
This week, Rabbi Charlie Schwartz and Russel Neiss — Jewish educators, techies and friends — released PocketTorah, which enables users to read and hear every Torah and Haftarah portion from virtually any Android or Apple device.
‘Nu’ Way to Fund Jewish Art
“We are creating a community of Jewish art patrons,” said Anne Hromadka, a SEDER Art Micro-Grant Initiative co-founder.
“Traditionally, one might think to be a patron of the arts you must be a foundation or private donor placing your name on the wing of an art museum. However, we too can fund and join in the contribution of Jewish culture,” she said.
Love It. Live It. Clean It.
The idea was born out of a PresenTense networking and entrepreneurship workshop at the 2012 Building Future Leadership conference. “You walk around and watch cab drivers throw garbage out of their windows. You find trash throughout hiking trails, and trying to enjoy the beach during the summer, there seem to be more cigarette butts than sand,” explains Dan Barnett, a 26-year-old South African. Dan explains to me that things like this were the catalysts behind the concept of Clean the Land.
PresenTense and JDC Launch New ‘Kaet’ Fellowship in Moscow
“When we first met with them, several people were waiting for me to ask them for money because that is what they are used to, but when we didn’t and instead asked them for their time, they were surprised,” said Podberezin. “I really think this is untapped territory that provides a unique opportunity for people to volunteer their experiences and it’s something that nobody else here is providing.”
PresenTense Joins JDC In Russia
“The JDC wanted exciting new projects in the community,” said Elizabeth Fine, who runs international relations and development in the Moscow office. “We’re also interested in the multiplier effect. By engaging one fellow, we have the potential to touch dozens of other people.”
Program offers 13 Russian Jews outreach grants
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and PresenTense last week announced the launch of the Kaet Fellows, a five-month incubator where individuals will have the opportunity to work on projects giving back to the community.“One of the cornerstones of our work in the former Soviet Union over the last 20 years has been to build the next generation of Jewish leadership and we’re very proud that together with PresenTense our first class of fellows will bring a new level of innovation and creativity to a Jewish community yearning for new ways to connect and grow,” JDC CEO Steven Schwager said.
JDC/PRESENTENSE Names First Moscow Fellows
Moscow, January 24, 2012― The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and PresenTense have announced 13 young Jewish entrepreneurs as its first group of Moscow-based Kaet Fellows. From a high tech expert to a small town rabbi, these Russian social innovators will enter a 5-month incubator where they will transform their ideas for addressing community challenges into sustainable local ventures. Such ventures will include those focusing on Jewish education, emergency medical training, the needs of Jewish seniors, volunteerism, Jewish art and culture, among other topic areas.
Once A Camper, Always A Camper
Masa wants to help its participants deepen their connection to Israel and advocate for it once they have returned home, said Ari Rubel, Masa’s director of North American operations.
Masa is sponsoring alumni fellowships in both local federations and PresenTense, the incubator for social entrepreneurs’ projects, and is facilitating various speaker and discussion series.
Sign up for our newsletter:
