A New Type of Jewish Sports Hero

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – July 5, 2010 –David Lasday, a Maplewood, New Jersey native and Fellow at the PresenTense 2010 Global Summer Institute, is bringing the excitement back into Jewish learning with Bring It In Israel, an Israel-based program that empowers Jewish leaders to use sports to impart Jewish values, life skills, and a connection to Israel onto Jewish children.

As a Summer Fellow at the prestigious six-week Institute, Lasday joins fifteen other budding Jewish social entrepreneurs from America, Israel, Australia, and the UK to gain the skills and connections necessary to launch their ventures to benefit the Jewish world at large.

"The 2010 Fellows represent some of the most innovative Jewish minds today.  They are embarking on projects that have the potential to transform Jewish life here in Jerusalem and around the world," commented Flo Low, Chair of the Institute Steering Committee. Sponsoring Lasday’s venture is the iCenter, reputed for its dedication to Israel education.

PresenTense Fellow to Match Skilled Baby Boomers with Israeli Organizations

Jerusalem, Israel-June 28th, 2010—Marla Gamoran is ready for her “encore career.” After a career in workforce development in Madison, she’s excited to launch Skilled Volunteers for Israel at the PresenTense 2010 Global Summer Institute. Her organization will design and coordinate customized volunteer opportunities in Israel that connect skilled Baby Boomers to the Israeli non-profit sector.

As a Summer Fellow of the prestigious six-week Institute, Gamoran will join fifteen other budding Jewish social entrepreneurs from Australia, Israel, and America to gain the skills and connections necessary to launch their ventures.

"The 2010 Fellows represent some of the most innovative Jewish minds today.  They are embarking on projects that have the potential to transform Jewish life here in Jerusalem and around the world," commented Flo Low, Chair of the Institute Steering Committee.

The Institute culminates on July 22nd with Launch Night, when the Fellows gain the opportunity to pitch their project to community leaders. Gamoran looks to emerge from the Institute with a business plan “that will enable me to press the ‘go’ button from idea to implementation.”

A recently released NYU study reports that nearly one-half of active Jewish adults in the United States today are Baby Boomers.  As this population retires, many are moving from their primary careers to an “encore career” that explores personal passions.