Shana Tova from PresenTense

 We were thinking of apples and honey this year, not only for their oh-so-tasty combination, but because we feel that the apple and honey combination is a great symbol for what PresenTense has been able to do thanks to you in this past year. In 5770, the year that was, our community grew up. Like an apple tree, it took all of the elements -- the soil of the current economic environment fertile for innovation, the rain of ideas coming from volunteers around the world -- and over the past year it grew and grew.

We also were blessed by the honey produced by the efforts of our volunteers worldwide, on steering committees and contributors to the magazine, by social entrepreneurs and communal professionals who believe in the need for positive change. Their hard work was transformed into a rich, sweet community of action, launching dozens of new ventures and forging hundreds of new relationships between active members of the Jewish People.

Combined, this past year of growth and work has enabled us to impact the Jewish People and the world like never before. Together with you, we're expanding our work into 4 new cities -- meaning that PresenTense in 5771 will be operating seven fellowship programs in six cities across North America and Israel -- Boston, New York, Philly, Cleveland, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. That's a lot more capacity to build in the year to come, and we hope you join us in taking advantage of the sweet fruits of our collective efforts.

May this year continue to bear fruit, may we see the results of our work, and may we all enjoy the sweetness of this new year together,

Ariel and Aharon