ViZion

Boston – Israeli Bar Night and Pub Quiz

This wasn’t your usual night at the neighborhood pub – this was a celebration of Israel, attended by over 90 Jewish young adults. BIG – Boston Israel Group and ViZion – the Young Leadership Division of the American Zionist Movement hosted the event on Tuesday night (March 1st) at the Corner Tavern in Boston’s Back Bay district. The centerpiece of the evening was an innovative Israel Pub Quiz. The quiz was based on general Israel trivia questions, interspersed with questions about Israeli TV commercials that were displayed on the bar screens. They really got people thinking, and even challenged some native Israelis in the crowd.

With Israeli music playing in the background and scenes of Israel on the screens, the bar was transformed into a mini-Israel. “I miss Israel and I have been looking for ways to connect with other Hebrew speakers. From the moment that I entered the event, I knew that it would be an enjoyable night in which I could connect with Israel,” said Michal, a quiz participant.

The event, which was co-sponsored by Boston’s CJP, Masa Israel Journey, and the Consulate General of Israel to New England, was a kickoff for the newly formed Boston Israel Group – a group of Jewish, Israeli and American young adults in Boston, who care about Israel. BIG seeks to facilitate an awareness of Israel in the greater Boston area, and works specifically within the young adult community. Through a special partnership with AZM, ViZion and BIG are work together continuously to provide high quality Israel programming to Boston’s Jewish Young Adults.

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Tagged With: American Zionist Movement, Boston Youg Leadership, Pub Quiz, ViZion, Zionism

How to Make your Next Handshake Count: Professional Development with Shalom Klein

Join ViZion Chicago to hear from Shalom Klein, founder of Jewish B2B Networking. Jewish B2B Networking provides Jewish business networking for the Midwest. Having only been founded in June 2010, Jewish B2B Networking now has over 12,000 members, hosts networking events in the Midwest area and publishes a magazine entitled “Jewish Business News.”

Shalom Klein is the Director of Business Services at Moshe Klein & Associates, Ltd., a Skokie-based accounting firm that provided low cost bookkeeping, accounting, and tax services for small businesses. He is a tireless networker and has founded the networking group, Jewish B2B Networking, which plans and hosts events for business people all around the Chicago area. Shalom also is the publisher of Jewish Business News.

Sponsored by the American Zionist Movement- Chicago and ViZion (the Young Leadership division of the American Zionist Movement)

ViZion is a group that meets monthly for professional development and networking; this months ViZion is open to individuals who work in the Jewish community on a professional and lay leader level.

Please bring lunch; refreshments will be provided.

Location: Argo Tea (1 N. Dearborn, Chicago)

RSVP by 3/10 to: Jessica, jwainer@azm.org or by calling 847-677-5949

ViZion Chicago: Zion Uness–an Ethiopian Immigrant in Israel

Join ViZion Chicago to hear from Zion Uness. Zion Uness was born in 1977 in Ethiopia, and immigrated to Israel at the age of 7. He served in the infantry of the IDF and subsequently received a degree in occupational therapy from the University of Haifa. Since that time he has worked to improve Ethiopian–Israeli education and community life, and has spoken widely at Jewish community centers, film festivals, and universities about Ethiopian Jewry.

Sponsored by the American Zionist Movement- Chicago, ViZion (the Young Leadership division of the American Zionist Movement), and the Zionist Organization of America

ViZion is a group that meets monthly for professional development and networking; this months ViZion is open to individuals who work in the Jewish community on a professional and lay leader level.

Please bring lunch; refreshments will be provided.

Date: Monday, February 14, 12pm-1pm
Location: Argo Tea, Second Floor (1 N. Dearborn, Chicago)

RSVP by 2/9 to: Jessica, jwainer@azm.org or 847-677-5949

Srugim Season 2- Weekly Israeli Movie Nights for Young Adults in Chicago

Come join us for a 5 part series screening of Srugim (Season 2), the hit Israeli TV series!

5 Mondays from 6pm-8pm
January 31 – February 28
Schubas (3159 N. Southport)

$20 for series pass (includes all 5 screenings)

Season Pass $20.00

$ 7 single ticket (at door)

*The first 20 people to register for a series pass will receive a free drink ticket

Click here for more information about the event and to register.

Contact Jessica at jwainer@azm.org with any questions.

The Young Leadership Division of the American Zionist Movement

Connecting, Creating, Cultivating

The goal of ViZion is to provide Jewish young adults with educational and social opportunities, allowing them to explore what Zionism means to them from both personal and communal perspectives.

ViZionPro

Young Professionals of Jewish Non-Profits

ViZionPro’s Mission is to:

Connect Jewish professionals working in Zionist/Israel/Jewish not-for-profits

Create a network of like-minded professionals sharing the challenges facing the Jewish communal world and their own professional development

Cultivate the future of Zionist and communal leaders in a safe and open environment

Contact ViZion at vizion@azm.org, ViZionPro at vizionpro@azm.org or call 212-318-6100.

Find us on facebook:

ViZion NY and ViZionPro

ViZion New York’s past events include:

Israeli Bar Night and Pub Quiz in New York

ViZionPro Professional Development Workshop

[En]ViZion This! New York Kickoff Party

ViZionPro Roundtables

Srugim Screening Series at the JCC in Manhattan

Burn Away the Darkness Chanukah Happy Hour

Tap The Sukkah Concert

Herzl’s 150th Birthday Celebration

ViZion Chicago’s past events include:

Lunch’n’Learn – Building Resiliency among Israel’s Emergency Medical Responders

Magniv Baviv Young Adult Spring Fundraiser

Lunch’n’Learn – “Israel – Who Cares?”

Srugim Screening Series at Schubas

How to Make your Next Handshake Count: Professional Development with Shalom Klein

Short Stories of Israel with author Ken Ngwa

Herzl’s 150th Birthday Bash

ViZion has also sponsored:

Boston Israel Group Israeli Bar Night and Pub Quiz

Srugim Screening Series in Boston in cooperation with the Boston Jewish Film Festival

Srugim Screening Series at the Washington, DC JCC

Subscribe now to the ViZion list to find out about upcoming programs.

ViZion Chicago

Join ViZion Chicago- Young Professionals on November 4 to hear about how young Israelis in their twenties added a new meaning to the concept of Tikkun Olam in Israeli society. Through the life stories of Ofer and Avishay you will learn about the hottest start up in Israel of the last few years: Ayalim (ayalim.org.il) – student villages throughout the Negev and North with university student entrepreneurs making the desert bloom and building a renewed Zionism.

This event is open to professionals who work in the Jewish community of Chicago.

Please RSVP by 11/1 to Jessica at jwainer@azm.org or 847-677-5949

Vizion is a network of Jewish professionals that come together bi monthly for professional development and networking. There are currently Vizion groups in Chicago and NY with one being established in LA. Members are expected to be active in the Jewish/Zionist/Israel world.

Meetings consist of professional development and opportunities to network.

To learn more about ViZion and upcoming programs please contact AZM-Chicago

ViZion Celebrates Theodor Herzl’s 150th Birthday

Just one of many celebrations of the 150^th birthday of the father of Modern Zionism, Theodor Herzl, took place on Wednesday, June 2^nd, at the headquarters of the American Zionist Movement in NYC. Young professionals from the NY area were treated to an Israeli buffet dinner (and birthday cupcakes, of course!) as they had the opportunity to hear a panel of speakers discuss Herzl’s vision and what it means today.

Rabbi Leor Sinai, Co-Founder and Membership Chair of ViZion, moderated a panel of two – Russell Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish National Fund, and Sam “Bodi” Bodenheimer, Founder/Director of Spicerack Music.

After spending 17 years working in the Federation world, Russell Robinson moved to JNF. It was at JNF that Robinson had the opportunity to learn about Herzl and his message – how to accomplish your goals beyond all adversity. Herzl was able, without Facebook, Twitter, etc., to inspire people to connect to his vision, and join him in his dream of the land of Israel. He knew his objective, and was able to overcome all obstacles in his way. This serves as a strong lesson for us all as we try to get a handle of on the global challenges we face on a daily basis. It’s not about “logo ego” – who gets the credit for what. It is vital to the success of all our initiatives that we find partners to work with all of us to accomplish our goals.

Sam Bodenheimer participated in “A Journey in Herzl’s Footsteps”, a trip that followed Herzl’s path from Paris to Basle, Vienna, Budapest and Jerusalem. Sam spoke of the part of the trip that he felt made the biggest impact on him. The group was supposed to travel to Israel for Yom HaZikaron, but their flight was delayed due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland. Almost internalizing the Herzlian spirit (as reference by Russell earlier), members of the group worked together to coordinate a program to honor Israel’s fallen soldiers. Commemoration in Israel would be easy – the whole country mourns the loss of life, as just about everyone in Israel has lost a loved one. But, in a place seemingly so far removed from the sadness, it was extremely emotional to participate in a program put together by a unique and diverse group of people – including Israelis – who were able to provide a better understanding of what memorial day means to a people who are so closely connected to the meaning on the day.

Russell and Sam both addressed the issue of the strained relationships between the American and Israeli Jewish communities and how to mend the relationship. No longer is the relationship between the Diaspora and Israel all about crisis, but rather success and pride. This creates an exciting opportunity for the Jewish nation. As the most powerful people on earth, having done what no one else has done, we must show the world what else we can accomplish together.

When asked how they define their “Zionism”, Russell and Sam spoke of looking back on where Israel came from and far she has come. There is cultural diversity and success and a feeling of excitement about Israel. They also shared their thoughts on ways to show the world sides of Israel you don’t see on the news, by taking back our Zionism and repositioning the lens to the positive Israel the world should see, and made us feel proud of all Israel has accomplished in 62 short years.

Herzl’s message here is crystal clear. We have the opportunity to become even more motivated in our lives, both personal and professional, and not to settle. We can look for ways to grow, and take note of the importance of having a deep-rooted passion that will drive others to rally behind us.

An amazing turnout of young Jewish professionals from various different Jewish non-profits gathered for a night of celebration and networking. If you are interested in getting involved with ViZion and would like to attend future events, email ViZioninfo@azm.org.

Click to view photos from the event: http://azm.org/herzl-birthday-party-gallery

Panel Video:

Russell Robinson on Theodor Herzl’s vision

Click on the following link for other videos from this event and to subscribe to the AZM YouTube Channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/AmericanZionist

Click to read our June newsletter

Tagged With: Herzl, Herzl 150, Theodor Herzl

Attend Herzl’s Birthday Party!

Journey in the footsteps of Theodor Herzl—past, present and future—and celebrate the 150th birthday of the father of Zionism!
Hear from a panel of leaders living Herzl’s dream!
Enjoy Viennese and Israeli refreshments!

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Idealist Stint Turns Into “Real Job”

Written by David Harris, AJC Executive Director, February 2010

When I joined the Jewish world in 1975, I thought it would be a brief idealistic stint, more or less like a Jewish Peace Corps experience, after which, to quote a family member, I’d find a “real” job.

It turned out rather differently. Thirty-five years later, I’m still at it. Truth be told, I love my work at AJC and still can’t believe I’m being paid to do something that fills me, day after day, with such passion, meaning and fulfillment. I can only wish others the same sense of satisfaction.

In those 35 years, even as there have been dark and difficult moments, I’ve been fortunate to witness some remarkable achievements in the ever-unfolding history of the Jewish people: the rescue of Soviet and Ethiopian Jewry; the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and renewal of Jewish life; peace treaties for Israel with Egypt and Jordan; the repeal of the infamous “Zionism is racism” resolution; Israel’s start-up revolution; burgeoning Jewish days schools and Jewish studies programs across the U.S.; and so much more.

I mention these milestones to encourage new dreams. Jewish professionals should never solely see themselves as firefighters, for we must be, above all, architects. We face fear, yes, but we should never allow ourselves to be defined by it. Our goal is to ensure that the best days of the Jewish people lie ahead of us. It is for Jewish professionals to shape the vision and chart the path.

If I were starting now, I’d set three goals in the course of my lifetime – an Israel living in peace and security as an integral part of the Middle East; a global Jewish community, growing in number and commitment; and a world in which hostile oil-producing states can no longer hold the rest of us hostage to their resources.

The path won’t always be easy. Challenges abound. We are few in number to begin with, and still fewer when it counts. We are too often divided among ourselves, at times working at cross-purposes. Civility and mutual respect are not always the hallmarks of Jewish life they should be. Understanding of the Jewish journey, including especially the abyss of the Holocaust and the rebirth of Israel, is on the wane both outside and, indeed, inside the Jewish community. There will soon be an era when the survivors and eyewitnesses of the Shoah are no longer with us and able to testify to what took place. Shifting power balances in the world and the U.S. require constant friend-raising and cross-cultural diplomacy. And in a time when many seek instant gratification and immediate concrete results, our work, requiring infinite patience and perseverance, may at times discourage long-term dedication.

But we have come a long way. Considering where the Jewish people were in the days immediately following the Second World War, the upward trajectory of the past 65 years has been nothing short of miraculous. If that happened, it was because of those who came before us and found the faith, footing and fortitude to press ahead. Let their example always serve as an inspiration. We each stand on the broad shoulders of the generations that preceded us. How fortunate, then, each generation is!

Dan Brown Speaks With ViZion – Live from Jerusalem!

Dan Brown, editor and founder of eJewishPhilanthropy.com joined ViZion, via video conference, and shared some important insights on the direction of social media and our role as professionals in the philanthropic world.

E-Philanthropy has become one of the main applications of the internet in the philanthropic sector. Dan discussed the challenges of keeping up with the ever-evolving world of social media, and leveraging it to best serve non-profit organizations.

The concept of a 5-10 year plan has become non-existent thanks to social media, as the field is constantly changing. However, while we recognize the vital part e-philanthropy plays these days, it is imperative for organizations to be mindful of their market and donors. Donors are more demanding today and therefore transparency is of the utmost importance. So, while social media tools are valuable for everyone, not all areas of social media work to the benefit of every organization. Social media works well to help organizations build a brand to make them more identifiable and recognizable in the over-saturated world of non-profit organizations.

Dan emphasized how crucial it is that each organization’s website should be current, keeping in mind that websites have a two year shelf life. Evolution of an organization’s website is dependent of technology. But, one way to keep your website current and utilizing it to attract donors of various ages would be to create microsites and developing content relevant to a particular age demographic.

ViZion thanks Dan Brown for taking the time to speak with this dynamic group of young professionals. This video conference is just one of the ways that ViZion is connecting and cultivating professionals in the Israel/Zionist related world. We are currently building our team. If you are interested in learning how to become more involved, contact Leor Sinai, Membership Chair, at leorsinai@gmail.com.

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