NetWORKS: Exploring the Power & Possibilities of Networks in the Jewish Community

The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation invites you to join us as we explore how we can harness the power of networks to empower young Jewish adults to strengthen both the Jewish community and the broader world.

The Jewish community has changed dramatically over the past decade, as the rapid adoption of new technologies has expanded the number of ways people connect, create and even congregate. Networks, which have been part of the Jewish tradition for thousands of years, have taken on even greater importance as we identify, affiliate and express ourselves in ways once unimaginable.

Set for November 8-10, 2011, in Boulder, CO, this invitation-only gathering will bring together leading thinkers, experts, innovators and activists to discuss the impact and implications of networks and network-thinking for the future of the Jewish community. We will use cutting-edge methods to focus on key questions, including:

• How do network theory and innovation intersect in the Jewish non-profit sector?
• What are the needs of the Jewish community’s network weavers and from which types of capacity building would they benefit?
• How can networks and network clusters be linked for leveraged wisdom and resources?
• What does it mean to animate a network? Is there such a thing as over-animation?

While this initial gathering will be limited in size, we plan to share findings, insights and outcomes with the broader community in an effort to grow the body of knowledge and resources needed to work collectively and collaboratively to shape a vibrant, enduring Jewish future.

Feel free to reach out with questions and inquiries to Seth Cohen, Director of Network Initiatives at scohen@schusterman.org or our NetWORKS consultant Jen Keys, at networks@schusterman.org or 202.289.7000 ext. 8.

For more than 20 years, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation (CLSFF)  has been a leading supporter of a wide range of Jewish initiatives—from well-established community organizations to a new generation of innovative start-ups—designed to enrich the lives of young Jewish adults and strengthen the Jewish future. Through initiatives such as the ROI Community, REALITY Israel Experience and The Kivun Intensive, CLSFF has also supported the development of strategic networks of individuals who are creating new avenues of Jewish experiences and engaging in Jewish life in a more interconnected way. As we deepen our investment in the Jewish journeys of young adults, CLSFF is committed to exploring and supporting the use of networks to help achieve a vision of empowering as many young Jewish adults as possible to connect with one another and work together to build vibrant Jewish communities.