Relief Efforts Continue in Southern Israel

Although a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas was reached on November 21, the conflict is “far from over,” Israeli officials say. “Millions of Israelis are still under rocket fire or in bomb shelters. It’s too early to declare this finished, but we hope it will be,” said Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Michael…

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This Thanksgiving, Help Others as a Family

During Thanksgiving weekend, families often go around the table and discuss the people and things  for which they are thankful.  While this adds meaning to the day, many families want to do something together to help those in need and to teach their children and grandchildren the values they hold dear. Here are 25 things…

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Jewish Innovation Deconstructed

In the Jewish philanthropic world, we often confuse two types of innovation: Innovation in mission and innovation in best practices. We praise the upstart for its innovative mission (despite its unsustainable model). At the same time, we declare that a legacy organization’s struggle to raise the necessary funds to accomplish its mission is a direct…

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Iterating on Eden: A Response to Will Schneider’s Post on Innovation

Will Schneider, in his recent piece for the Jewish Communal Fund of New York blog (and highlighted on eJP‘s Wednesday newsletter), states that “Innovation is a strategy toward a larger goal, such as creating Jewish community, increasing Jewish literacy, or improving the North American Jewish community’s relationship to Israel.” It should not be perceived of, or utilized as, an…

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Innovation to What End?

In just a few weeks, the eighth volume of Slingshot will be shipped to thousands of not-for-profit leaders, community volunteers, Jewish community institutions, and funders of all ages. Slingshot is a Zagat-style guide to Jewish life. Each year, through a rigorous evaluation process, we select the 50 most innovative projects and organizations in Jewish life across North…

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