Update From Israel: Innovation to Innovation

What a whirlwind week. It was the kind of week where you blink and people, places, feelings, smells, everything just flies by. And, before you know it, you're hugging new friends and saying "good luck" on upcoming projects. The reality, of course, of the 2011 ROI Summit ending, is that we all know that this is merely the beginning, and goodbyes were almost, if I can be so bold, unnecessary.

And now? Well, now I'm prepping for the Israel Presidential Conference! The conference runs from Tuesday to Thursday (after which I'll be whisked away to Ben-Gurion International Airport for an overnight flight next week), and it's appropriately called "Facing Tomorrow." This is the third conference of its kind, and it will attract more than 4,000 people from around the globe dedicated to "designing a better tomorrow."

Having spent the past week with the ROIers, this is an appropriate followup. The ROI Summit included the most diverse group of people I've ever encountered in my entire life. There were people from Colombia, England, Belarus, Israel, the U.S., and, well, you get the idea. The interests of the participants were even more diverse than the people were.

TSome of the talent included the minds behind Sharsheret (the breast cancer initiative for Jewish women), PunkTorah, Jewish Farm School, Meet Gilad, the director of the film Orthodox Stance (about an Orthodox Jewish boxer),  Jewish Robot/Shabot6000 (ohmygosh this guy is amazing) and ... well, you get the idea. Diversity, genius, the whole crackerjack box of talent and innovation. There were 150 of us there, and if you're interested in really exploring the minds behind some innovative projects on Jewish dance, music, art, Ethiopian Jews, Russian Jews, volunteerism, just head over to the ROI Summit participant website. Don't be upset if you can't look at everyone because, to be completely honest, I didn't manage to meet everyone, and I was in the same space (virtual and otherwise) with them for five days!

I have a lot to say, a lot to write, and a lot of ideas that I really want to put out there and grow, including a project based on my Facebook group for converts called "Gerim Online." I should probably trademark that or something, right? I'm hoping to get a grant, a web developer, and some awesome minds to help me make something amazing happen.

And? Well, I'm hoping that maybe some of the great minds I'll be interviewing at the Presidential Conference can help me get this launched and going. If anything, I just want a pat on the back (of the shomer negiah variety, of course) and a "yes, this is an amazing idea that is going to move mountains."

Stay tuned, friends. Innovation is coming out my ears. At least, it feels like it is. I'm on "conference fatigue," so the next four days are time to recharge, and I'll be spending Shabbat down in the Gush if you need to track me down.

Oh! And, I forgot to mention, I finally met Benji Lovitt, @Jewlicious, and more! Check me out with Benji -- the man, the myth, the comedian. 

Israel, Here I Come!

I am the happiest camper in the world right now, which will not be reflected so much in an upcoming post (stay tuned), and I want to share the goods with you guys.

The news? I've been accepted to attend the ROI Summit in Israel this summer!


Here's my video entry (just part of the app):


From the email, this is what the ROI community is all about:

The ROI Summit is an ultimate forum for mutual exchange. ROI, a global community of Jewish leaders in their 20s and 30s, recognizes the far-reaching benefits of networking, collaborating and of pooling talents to transform the Jewish world and future.

Super stoked. Israel, here I come!

(PS: I probably will end up being there for both Shavuot and Shabbos ... so ... stay tuned!)

To Build a Homeless Shelter in Jerusalem

You all probably remember when I was busy pushing DonorsChoose.org, a website where teachers can go to seek funds for classroom projects to help overcome financial difficulties. I'm really big on pushing good causes, because I think that this blog, with its strong and devoted readership, has the ability to really initiate and engage in social change. Thus, enter the Dell Social Innovation Competition, which puts $50,000 into the hands of the creators of a project of true social change.

A second-year logistics students at Bar-Ilan University -- originally from New Jersey -- contacted me about their project: a homeless shelter in Jerusalem, which would make it the only one, believe it or not. These students have been working for the past year to lay the groundwork for this project, which already has posted third place in the Dell and University of Austin Social Innovation Competition.

You can read more here and here -- and you can also get to the voting at both links. If the group is in the top ten by February 18, they'll automatically proceed to the second round, and if they place first, they'll get an additional $1,000, a vital resource if they want to win the $50,000 grand prize.

If you don't have the time to help advertise this great cause, at least take the time to go vote on their project -- it's a noble cause, and social change is worth your time. Just look at these statistics, and then tell me you don't have the time to VOTE.

The rate of homelessness and poverty in Jerusalem is increasing drastically, with 41% of the residents living below the poverty line, as of June 2010. Workforce participation is at 40%. Child poverty in West and East Jerusalem is at 45% and 75%, respectively, and 2/3rd of those suffering from poverty and homelessness are forced to forgo meals on a daily basis.

Let's fix it -- okay?