Woodstock Ventures and ModernTribe.com Donate $20,000 to Hunger Relief in America; Historic Partnership Benefits MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger

Woodstock Ventures and ModernTribe.com announce a joint donation of over $20,000 to MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger stemming from sales of Woodstock-inspired tee shirts and other exclusive items celebrating the Thanksgivukkah holiday phenomenon. MAZON is a national nonprofit organization working to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel.

At Thanksgivukkah, a time when Americans of all backgrounds are enjoying holiday meals with their families, donating to MAZON, the national Jewish charity focused on ending hunger, is one way to give back.

Woodstock Ventures and ModernTribe.com announced today a joint donation of over $20,000 to MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger stemming from sales of Woodstock-inspired tee shirts and other exclusive items celebrating the Thanksgivukkah holiday phenomenon.

“From the very start, we wanted the Thanksgivukkah merchandise to have a charity component,” explains Jennie Rivlin Roberts, president of ModernTribe.com, an online Judaica shop and exclusive retailer of official Thanksgivukkah products. “Thanksgiving charity is traditionally associated with hunger relief. MAZON, a Jewish nonprofit working to end hunger for all Americans was the obvious choice as the beneficiary for these products.”

“In addition to the fun fusion recipes and hybrid holiday decorating ideas, the overlap of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving his year is an opportunity for the American Jewish community to show our gratitude to America for all the freedoms we enjoy here,” said Dana Gitell, who coined the term Thanksgivukkah through her popular Facebook page and approached ModernTribe.com to develop commemorative gift items. “At Thanksgivukkah, a time when Americans of all backgrounds are enjoying holiday meals with their families, donating to MAZON, the national Jewish charity focused on ending hunger, is one way to give back.”

“We also saw Thanksgivukkah as a distinctly positive, once-in-a lifetime experience that people would be able to tell their grandkids about, kind of like the way people reminisce about Woodstock” said Kim DeMarco, the graphic illustrator responsible for ModernTribe’s Woodstock-inspired tee shirt design. Through a generous licensing agreement with Woodstock Ventures, ModernTribe’s most popular products this season are shirts featuring a variation of the iconic dove and guitar logo in which a turkey and menorah are incorporated as well as the words “8 Days of Light, Liberty and Latkes”.

“We really liked ModernTribe’s whimsical t-shirts,” said original Woodstock creator and co-producer Joel Rosenman. His company Woodstock Ventures, is donating nearly all of its licensing fee to MAZON.

“We are overwhelmed by the intensity of the Jewish community’s enthusiasm for Thanksgivukkah,” says Abby J. Leibman, President & CEO of MAZON. “We are also humbled and grateful that the visionary people who brought Thanksgivukkah to life chose to include MAZON as a foundational part of their overall plan. Nearly 1 out of every 6 Americans struggles to put enough nutritious food on the table every day. Thanksgivukkah has not only generated substantial financial support for MAZON, but has also brought much-needed attention to our issue and our ongoing effort to end hunger once and for all and transform how it is into how it should be.”

Holiday shoppers can still purchase commemorative t-shirts, aprons, posters and other gifts at http://www.ModernTribe.com. Those in Atlanta are invited to shop in person at ModernTribe’s first-ever pop-up shop located at 331 Elizabeth Street in Atlanta’s Inman Park neighborhood open 6 days a week through the end of the year.
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About:
-- ModernTribe.com provides design‐conscious Jews gifts and Judaica that celebrate age‐old traditions with modern style. ModernTribe is the inventor of No Limit Texas Dreidel.
-- Woodstock Ventures LC creates events, restaurants, and consumer goods relating to its first production, the 1969 Woodstock Rock Festival. Learn more at http://www.woodstock.com.
-- MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger is a national nonprofit organization working to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel. To learn more, please visit http://www.mazon.org.
-- Thanksgivukkah is celebrated online at http://www.facebook.com/Thanksgivukkah and http://www.twitter.com/Thanksgivukkah.

Thanksgivukkah Frenzy Prompts Moderntribe.com To Open Atlanta’s First Ever Pop-Up Hanukkah Gift Shop

As Americans prepare for the extremely rare convergence of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving on November 28, ModernTribe.com, an online Judaica retailer based in Atlanta, has been working round the clock to satisfy demand for several exclusive products the company developed for the occasion. National media coverage of the company’s exclusive Woodstock-inspired tee shirts emblazed with the words “Light, Liberty & Latkes” as well as a parody poster of Grant Wood’s American Gothic painting featuring a pilgrim and Rabbi couple has led to unprecedented sales.

 “ModernTribe’s mission is to offer creative products that help modern Jews to express their faith and keep our traditions alive, meaningful and fun. This year’s calendar confluence was the perfect opportunity to do just that" says Jennie Rivlin Roberts, president of ModernTribe.com.

 “As Thanksgivukkah became a bigger phenomenon, we realized we needed more space in order to accommodate the number of orders we were getting from across the country,” explains Roberts. “When we saw the space at 331 Elizabeth Street in Inman Park, we realized we had an opportunity to not only double our production space but also open our first brick-and-mortar storefront as well.”

The pop-up store’s grand opening will be Sunday, November 17 from 11-6pm, at which Roberts will be serving chocolate gelt coins and pumpkin doughnuts, a mix of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah treats. After that, the pop-up location will be open 11-8pm daily, closing earlier on Fridays and all day on Saturdays to observe the Jewish Sabbath, through the end of the year.

In addition to the Thanksgivukkah items which also include aprons and notecards, the shop will feature Jewish and secular gifts for the design-conscious. In a nod to the store’s location adjacent to the Atlanta Beltline, Roberts will features special section of bicycle-themed items, including a Recycled Bicycle Chain Menorah.

In the spirit and traditions of both Hanukkah and Thanksgiving, ModernTribe.com will donate 10 percent of all proceeds to MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, a national nonprofit organization working to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel.

3 Inappropriate BUT Funny Jewish Videos

The Spring weather is giving us schpilkes... our Friday workday has regressed into "doing research into the Jewish American culture." Here are our findings so far:

Mike Marcus: "Hey Kid!"

Bubala Please Episode 5 -- Passover Munchies

Kosha Dillz - Hangin' Out

How Do You Solve A Problem Like... ModernTribe?

Lately, I've been finding myself singing the Sound of Music song, replacing Maria with ModernTribe.

For the nuns, Maria elicits the same mix of compellingness and utter frustration as ModernTribe does for me. My mind subconsciously melds the two and there I find myself: singing.

As the nuns sing, "She's is a darling. She's demon. She's a lamb." 

"She's a headache. She's an angel. She's a girl."

ModernTribe is my growing, small, exciting, gratifying, flailing, frustrating, thankless business.

After 5 years of struggling in a record-breaking bad economy, yet growing every year, ModernTribe is debt-free, self-sustaining, employing two part-time employees, and even paying me a little. There is no emergency here and there are myriad options for its future.

ModernTribe reaches:

• Jewish American Women ages 25-45
• 40% do not belong to a synagogue
• 200K unique visitors per year making 6500 unique purchases

However, ModernTribe does need to do something. ModernTribe is not yet in the right place, and it has not yet reached its potential.

I'm looking for partners to help us grow big or pivot.

If you get that product can strengthen identity and brands can catalyze community, join me to learn about ModernTribe and explore the options. 

Come learn about the details of our business and discuss options for growth or pivot.

New York City: Sunday, January 27th
New York City: Monday, February 4th
Atlanta: Sunday, February 10th

Please RSVP for time and place.

MODERNTRIBE'S CURRENT MISSION:

Through retail websites and new product development, ModernTribe is making Judaica compelling to the new generation, delighting and exciting those who are creating Jewish homes. ModernTribe is a for-profit company with social missions of (1) providing Jewish products that help people express and share their Jewish identity and (2) providing appealing, effective marketplaces for independent American & Israeli artists and designers.

Where Do I Hang a Mezuzah?

Can you name off the top of your head all the doors in your home that would require Mezuzah cases? Sorry for the pop quiz. The answer is: it's complicated. We'll try to give you a hand, if you're confused, interested, or both.

A general rule to remember is that every room except the bathroom needs a Mezuzah. As always, there are exceptions. The doors of dressing rooms can also do without one. Any completely open room without a door doesn't need one either. And if the room is smaller than 36 square feet, don't bother.

Some unlikely doors qualify for a Mezuzah. Garage doors, sliding glass doors, and french doors are all fair game. Like we said, it's complicated.

Not everybody gets around to hanging Mezuzot -- did you know that the plural of Mezuzah is Mezuzot? -- in their home, but it's a fun tradition, one that blesses the home and teaches kids something about their heritage. If you decide to add Mezuzot to your home, remember that we've got a great selection of Mezuzah cases in our Mezuzah shop. We also sell the Kosher scrolls that go inside. 

Our cases have designs that range in style from classic to modern to fun: we even have a Hello Kitty Mezuzah case. Can't decide on whether you want a traditional or eclectic design for your room? In the end, compromise isn't a bad idea: the slanted position of mezuzot on a door frame is the result of rabbis compromising on whether mezuzot should be aligned vertically or horizontally. If compromise was good enough for them, it should be good enough for us, right?

As always, feel free to contact us if you have any questions, comments, gripes, or good wishes.

New York International Gift Fair Finds - Day 1, 2012

New Stuff Spotted at NYIGF today.

Today I attended New York's Newest and NYIGF. I always love to visit the newbees. I'm looking for fresh products, of course. Often the items are debuted at the show, like the very cool new menorah I found. I also enjoy seeing how first-timers set up their booths. Some get it right and fit it perfectly. Others, not so much. No matter, the vendors are friendly and eager, and lovely to chat with!

DIY SOUVENIR KIT

The designers I enjoyed chatting with most today were from Bottle Brooklyn. Tell me what you think of this: they've created a product called "DIY Souvenir Kit". I love DIY stuff for ModernTribe because, I like to imagine, my community are DIY kind of folks. This product is a glass tube with a piece of blank white canvas inside. The idea is that, instead of buying (or giving) a-little-something-by-which-to-remember, make it. One makes the souvenir by "dirtying up" the canvas.

It's conceptual, maybe too much so for most buyers. My feedback to them was, "you need a video!" They're working on one.

I HEART GUTS

The next line is totally gutsy. It's called I Heart Guts and is a line of plush internal organs. Here's Large Liver and Heart on the Brooklyn Bridge.

It doesn't fit with ModernTribe... but I do like them and think they'd sell well in a fun gift boutique. "Testicle" and "Ovary" may be cute gifts for the right occasion.

I found colored fabric covered electrical cord for my friend Joel Silverman from NUD Collection. Yes, they will sell you only the cord and it comes in over a dozen colors.

FINGERLESS GLOVES
What do you think of these? I've been wanting to offer gloves for a Hanukkah gift and found these today. They are fingerless gloves made of soft cotton, comes in many colors on the inside fold, with black on the outside layer. They are reversible too. They sell for about $24 a pair.

LIPSTICK & MOUSTACHE PERSONALIZED PRINTS
These would make a good addition to our Jewish Wedding Gift collection.

ModernTribe Needs Temporary Space Oct-Dec 2012

Dear ModernTribe customers, friends, and family,

As the summer is coming to an end very fast (school starts in 10 days?!), ModernTribe is figuring out its options for Holiday 2012.

We've Outgrown Our Basement

Last Hanukkah was -- Ridiculously Uncool -- in our basement warehouse. There is just not enough space for all the cool stuff we sell... and there is more uncool on top of that:

Because of zoning laws in Atlanta, we can only have myself + one person working at any given time. This resulted in ModernTribe having "shifts" -- including an overnight shift -- with a guy working through the night... in my house.

Even with our Hanukkah Elf, we still had trouble keeping up with the volume of packages. We did it -- (and kept our terrific customer service rating on Google). However, the holiday was grueling for me, my employees, and my family.

Our Basement Warehouse... it is no joke... but it is not enough for the Holidays.

It's not As Simple As You Think

"If you are growing... why not just move into a warehouse?"

Typical of small businesses, we are having growing pains. At this point, only during the holiday season can we afford to pay rent on a 3rd party space. It could be that we find a warehouse that allows enough in-store sales that we can keep the 3rd party space. However, this is an unknown, and there is a significant financial risk of signing a long-term lease.

Putting our Request out into the Universe

This is what we need:

A mixed-use space on Dekalb Ave would be ideal.

• At least 1300 square feet, street level -- allowing us to load and unload.
• At most, a short-term lease of 6 months maximum. We'd prefer Sept-January. 
• We must be moved in, drop dead, by October 1.
• Located on the East side of Atlanta, Downtown to Decatur.
• Ideal -- to reach our core market -- is on Dekalb Avenue.

What we do not need:

• Buildout -- we will require little to none.
• Fanciness -- we'd prefer a big open space with concrete floors and brick walls.

Added Benefit to the Intown Atlanta Jewish Community is an Experiment with a Jewish Third Place

Beyond allowing ModernTribe to continue the successful (albeit small), growing business, this will test the feasibility of having a permanent 3rd party warehouse and showroom.

Depending on the location of the space, we'd like to have a small showroom attached to the warehouse and sell to the public. We know there is an opportunity to offer the growing intown Jewish community a place to buy Jewish gifts + fresh challah on Fridays. We need to know how big is this opportunity. (Where do you get your fresh challah intown Jews?)

Who May Have Such A Space?

• Real-estate owners with unrented property
• Business owners who have extra space
• Business owners trying to get out of a lease
• You?

We appreciate your help. Serious leads, please write me at Jennie@ModernTribe.com

About ModernTribe

Through retail websites and new product development, ModernTribe is making Judaica appealing to the new generation. ModernTribe is a social enterprise with missions of (1) providing products that help people express and share their Jewish identity (or for non-Jews, express their Jewish affinity), (2) providing appealing, effective marketplaces for independent American and Israeli artists and designers and (3) building community through the retail experience.

Announcing the Winners of the Moms & Atzmaut Contest & Giveaway

 ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS

The winner of the contest is Amy Seligman with her Moms and Atzmaut Pinterest Board with her diverse use of pins and creative in choices of what to show (images, products, concepts, etc), beautiful board, and nice integration of ModernTribe. Amy wins $100 gift certificate and a "Keep Calm Love Israel" gift pack!

Preview of Amy's Board:

Winners of the $25 gift certificates from ModernTribe: Thank you to all ModernTribers who Pinned, Tweeted, and Liked! We are giving away TWO gift certificates chosen at random using a random number generator and then finding the corresponding social share. The winners are: Kimberley Alexander McIlwrath and Amanda Martin.

Moms & Atzmaut Fun & Giveaways

Thank you to our Facebook friends for suggesting we combine Yom Haatzmaut (Israel Independence Day) and Mother's Day for some new-fashioned social-media fun and giveaways.

TWO WAYS TO WIN

(1) BEST PIN BOARD on Pinterest

The Grand Prize will be given to the person who makes the best Pin Board on Pinterest with the theme of Israel Independence and Moms. Interpret it as you wish: best Israeli products for independent moms OR images that represent independent Israeli women OR historical women who helped Israel's independence OR Israeli women who create awesome Judaica... or ??? Be creative!

A panel of judges will select the winner based on:

1. Concept: the connection between independence, Israel, and mom or women
2. Beauty: the aesthetic look of your Pin Board
3. Creative integration of ModernTribe

The winner of the best Moms & Atzmaut Pinterest Board will win the "Keep Calm" package including the Keep Calm and Love Israel Tote Bag, Mug, and Magnet, a $100 Gift Certificate to ModernTribe.com, and announcement in an upcoming ModernTribe newsletter.

Steps to Entering Your Board

1. Create Your Board
2. Repin the Contest Image onto Your Board
3. When Finished, Share Your Board on ModernTribe's Facebook Page

(2) #MOMATZ Social Share SWEEPSTAKES

We've just made it super easy for you to Pin and share with our new larger ShareThis buttons on every product page.

For every 50 people who social share from ModernTribe, we will give away a $25 gift certificate to ModernTribe (with a max of 8). Enter as many times as you wish... each social share is an entry and will increase your odds of winning.

Track-able Social Shares include:

• "Liking" ModernTribe on Facebook (if you don't already)
• "Sharing" this contest or a ModernTribe product from ModernTribe's Facebook page.
• "Pinning" a ModernTribe product on Pinterest
• "Re-Pinning" a ModernTribe product from the Mom & Atzmaut Pin Board onto your pin board
• "Tweeting" a ModernTribe product or this contest
• "Re-Tweeting" someone's relevant Tweet
• Tag all shares with #MOMATZ so that we can find them!

If you are not yet a member of Pinterest and you'd like to be -- let us know and we will invite you.

Rules:

Contest begins Tuesday, April 24th at 9AM EST and ends Thursday, May 3rd at noon EST. Winners will be notified no later than Wednesday, May 9th midnight EST. No purchase is required to enter. A maximum of eight (8) $25 gift certificates to ModernTribe.com will be given away in the sweepstakes. This contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada ages 18+.

Top 3 Gifts for Yom Haatzmaut AKA Zing for the Zionists

Yom Haatzmaut, Israel Independence Day, is Thursday, April 26th, 2012 and ModernTribe has goodies to celebrate the Holy Land of Israel.

First, is our collection of Keep Calm and Love Israel items. These are a play off the original Keep Calm and Carry On propaganda posters produced by the British government in 1939 during the beginning of the Second World War, intended to raise the morale of the British public in the event of invasion. The poster measures 8x10 inches and is in 9x11 inch desktop or wall-hanging frame.

Next, are the hip Jerusalem designs by street artist Dave Choe on Jerusalem tote bags and Jerusalem t-shirts. These are very limited editions. Get them while you can!

And finally, we are super excited to introduce Pop Art Israeli Heroes by Ofek Werkman! How can you resist Herzl & Golda in Warhol-esqness?

ModernTribe's Guide for Choosing a Passover Haggadah for Your Seder

Stop looking for the perfect Haggadah... instead do like we do: blend. A ModernTribe Strategy for Choosing a Passover Seder Haggadah (1) Choose a basic Haggadah for everyone at the table -- we like the 30 Minute Seder Haggadah as this basic book. It is clear, colorful and inexpensive to furnish a copy for everyone. (2) Then add images, readings, poems, and songs from other Haggadot. There are many special ones out there, each with their own wisdom and flavor. Read a Haggadah review on our blog for a few ideas. Don't forget all the free resources available to enhance your Passover and seder experience: including G-d Cast's video The Passover Seder... With the Four Sons, Bangitout's Seder Sidekick, Sipping Seder, and create your own Haggadah with Haggadot.com. (3) If you have children, make sure you have at least one Passover haggadah for children -- you may even want to read this book at the table for the kids -- we do. (4) If you are like our family, and have dozens of Haggadot already, add to your collection this year's much anticipated release: Jonathan Safran Foer's New American Haggadah. and (5) Great music-for-making-matzah-balls or as seder musical interludes or even meal background music is Socalled's Hip Hop Haggadah. Come chat with us on Facebook and tell us about your own best Haggadah strategies and ideas!

Anti-Valentine's Day Gifts - For Those Who Are Down On Love

From Frog to Prince!

What Goes Around Comes Around...

I remember those harsh love-days of past, where my Valentine was either non-existent or "on the rocks". Nothing is worse during these times than a glaring, made-up Hallmark holiday, seemingly screaming at you: you don't have love.

Haven't Found One Yet?

With compassion to all of you out there who are in this place, I've chosen a few items for ModernTribe.com that are anti-Valentine's Day.

Love or Love Not

This Too Shall Pass

Read Atlanta Jewish Innovation Daily -- a Paper.li

Sukkah:ATL Atlanta's Only Public Sukkah -- Come Join Us!

 

Atlanta-based Jewish Food Alliance, along with over a dozen community partners, erected its second annual public-space sukkah in Oakhurst Community Garden on Sunday, October 9th.  When sukkot begins on Wednesday, October 12th, Sukkah: ATL will host opportunities for worship, community gathering, learning, and cultural experiences.

The construction of the sukkah is led by architects from Design Plus Collective, who designed the “Seen by Unseen” Sukkah for New York's Sukkah City competition last Fall.

Sukkah: ATL is Atlanta's only public-space sukkah, and is built and programmed as a community cooperative effort, led by Atlanta-based Jewish Food Alliance.

Programs open to the public during the week of Sukkot include:

• Wednesday, October 12th: Chanting Service with Cantor Gayanne Guerin Weiss at 6:30 PM
  
• Friday, October 14th: Family Friendly Kabbalat Shabbat, Potluck Picnic, and Jam Session with Congregation Bet Haverim 6:30 PM
  
• Saturday, October 15th: Havdallah and Sukkot Sleepover with Adamah Adventures 7:30 PM
• Monday, October 17: Shake Your Lulav Dance Party! with Marcus Jewish Community Center, PJ Library, Shalom Baby and Pathways
  
• Tuesday, October 18: Sukkot Baking Competition with Dr. Sweets Cake Emporium 6:00 PM 

 

Why I AM Giving Money to the Atlanta Jewish Federation This Year

... and more than doubled my 2010 contribution.

My old blog post about not giving money to the Atlanta Jewish Federation (in 2011) and its criticisms, made a much bigger wave than expected. Way too often when mentioning the blog post people nod their heads in recognition. That's why I'm publicly announcing my choice to give in 2012.

Why am I giving to the 2012 campaign?

I'm hopeful. Atlanta has a new Federation President, Michael P. Horowitz, from Detroit. No one seems to know much about him and his affinities. However, my dollars are a hopeful vote for progress.

Join me in donating (or increasing your donation) and speak up for progress: continued movement toward an open, transparent, authentic, inclusive, efficient, highly-functional and unified Jewish community in Atlanta, GA. 

Looking forward to a growth-filled 5772,

Shana Tova,

Jennie Rivlin Roberts

Pass on Jewish Wisdom to Kids this Rosh Hashanah

Unlike Passover and Hanukkah, when we are celebrating historical events, the High Holidays are a celebration of a more abstract concept: human beings' ability to grow and change. Pass on Jewish wisdom to your children with the following symbols:

• The shofar is blown to summon us to "wake up" and start thinking about our past behavior.

• We are beginning the cycle of new year, and eat round challah knowing we have yet another chance to start with a clean slate: to change our ways and become better people.

• We are wishing for a sweet new year by eating apples dipped in honey.

• One of the ways we ask for forgiveness and express commitment to change is by giving tzedakah.

We hope ModernTribe can help you and your family usher in the new year in meaningful ways. Rosh Hashanah begins sundown Wednesday, September 28, 2011. 

With Warm Wishes from Your Shopkeeper,

Jennie Rivlin Roberts

Got A Jewish Dad? The Father's Day Gift Guide for Dads We'd CHOOSE Again!

Overall Best gift for your Jewish Dad:

The Amalgamated Menschen International T-shirt celebrates your mensch by declaring him Upright, Honorable, and Decent. On the back, the shirt directs, "Be One!," because, shouldn't we all?

Best gifts for the Zionist Dad

Instead of kitsch, this Independence T-Shirt is design-forward and a serious Jewish t-shirt. California apparel designers, Threaded Heritage, include Israel's declaration of Independence behind the lion of Judea, Atzmaut (Independence), and 1948.

In 66 CE, the Jews rebelled against Roman rule and began to mint their own coins, the shekel, as a sign of their independence. The coins in this pair of cufflinks are cast from a half-shekel that dates to the first year of the revolt!

Best gifts for the Jewish Dad who bucks the trend

Is your dad handy despite his heritage? Then make him a member of the Union of Jewish Handymen with this t-shirt by Jewnion label and accessorize him with tools to get the job done: the hammer bottle opener (that also functions as a hammer!) and the BBQ Tools grilling set which even includes a TAPE MEASURE!

Best gifts for the Jewish Dad who is all about Tikkun Olam (saving the world)

If he had the time, would your dad hug trees and save bunnies? Then he may chuckle at himself represented in Israeli plush: Vigo who frees whales, eats grass, drinks dew, and wears recycled clothes. Plus, any eco-dad can use these: great-looking grocery bags for guys + an ice-worthy eco-cup!

 

Best gift for the absent-minded Jewish professor Dad we all know and love

 Is dad a geek at heart? Speak the inner geek with a Science Quiz clock, an LED Dinosaur Kit, or the Equal Measure measuring cup so he can make pancakes with a tyrannosaur’s brain of flour and sugar equal to the water in a cumulus cloud the size of the bus.

Best gifts for the wandering Jew-ish Dad

Is dad on the go this summer? Equip him with an Israeli designer Funtastic Plastic Passport Cover, a universal plug adapter, and Cohen-hands (Vulcan) USB stick to carry his data.


Whatever you choose for your Chosen dad, enjoy Father's Day with him on Sunday, June 29th, 2011!

What I'm Doing This Weekend: Taste of Limmud -- Join Us!

This Sunday is an event that I and many volunteers have worked long and hard to bring to our Atlanta community: Limmud Atlanta & Southeast's Taste of Limmud.

Our whole family is excited. Even our daughter is excited about Camp Limmud. She goes there while us adults get adult time. Ahhh.

What I'm looking forward to most:

(1) Learning from Jonathan Sarna again -- a wonderful teach from Brandeis is coming to talk about: Jewish Law and American Civil Liberty: Historical Confrontations and Contemporary Implications

(2) Being with my adult friends without kids (How often does that happen?)

(3) Presenting an excerpt from a PresenTense Fellowship training with Shelby Zitelman of PresenTense: Visioning For A Better Future: Your Venture, Your Life, Your Change

(4) Being an Indie Innovator and seeing our wonderful Innovators shine and let Atlanta know about their projects! 

(5) Meeting and hearing Prodezra Beats!

(6) Dancing with my husband and little girl at the after-concert with Naomi Less & Prodezra Beats (brought to us by Atlanta Jewish Music Festival).

Woo hoo. Let's get this party started. If you want to join us, Register Here.

Why I'm Not Giving Money To Atlanta Jewish Federation This Year

Yesterday evening, a young man called to ask for my annual Federation pledge.

I declined.

In Atlanta, Federation mostly raises funds and allocates them to a portfolio of local and international organizations. All of the programs in their portfolio are good, sure. Twenty percent of their allocations go to support Israel through Joint Distribution and Jewish Agency. Plus, one of the 26 organizations they fund, my family utilizes: PJ Library.

However, nearly all of the Jewish programs that make up my family's Jewish life are not funded by Federation: Limmud Atlanta, Jewish Kids Groups, Atlanta Jewish Music Festival, and our intown Atlanta Jewish community. All of these are young organizations, near and dear to me, and I support them with my time and money.

Plus, most of the "Atlanta-based" organizations they do fund are not in Atlanta proper -- where I and my Jewish community live -- but are in different cities North of Atlanta: Dunwoody, Marietta, Sandy Springs.

For me, Federation is like Piccadilly Cafeteria located OTP ("outside the Perimeter") -- it's a smorgasbord where the chicken tetrazzini is ok, but I'm really not into the buttered okra, and they don't even serve my favorite: Indian cuisine. Why dine there?

In addition, customer service at Piccadilly may be fine, but it is not so great at Federation. It's small things, like being told the photos we were submitting for "A Community Snapshot" exhibit shouldn't be from Limmud because Limmud is not Federation funded. Small things, like hearing my friends' frustration with the bureaucracy when volunteering. Unanswered emails. (Federation is not alone with unanswered emails. In 2005, Jewish Outreach Institute did a "secret shopper" experiment and requested program information from 44 Atlanta Jewish institutions; they received 24 replies.) I know, it's small stuff -- but, again, why dine there?

Our limited money needs to go to the organizations that are important to us and are in line with our values (and our geography). Now it will.

One last consideration: today, I had lunch with a former Federation board member and he made a very good point: continuing with my analogy... if I'm not dining at the buffet, I may forget a couple of food groups. Some of the organizations Federation funds are social services that my family doesn't use but are nonetheless important for any community to support, for example, Jewish Family and Career Services and Breman Jewish Home (for the elderly). So, point taken, our family will consider adding these into our annual donation mix, and, of course, donations can be made to them directly.


Do you donate to your local Federation? Why or why not?