PresenTense Fellow Activists
changing the world, one venture at a time >> melissa scholten-gutierrez
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ocial action, tikkun olam, saving the world— PresenTense fellows are doing it around the world. They heard the call from Rabbi Hillel, “If not now, when?” and seized their moment to make a difference in local and global Jewish communities. PresenTense caught up with a few past fellows, asking three questions:
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1 What do you aim
to contribute to the social action community?
ova Speter is an artist, art therapist, art educator, and arts administrator with a BA in psychology, an MA in art therapy and mental health counseling, and a certificate in arts management. As the founder of The MEM Project, Tova leads community murals, engages students in artistic expressions of their Jewish identity, and reaches out to underserved communities through art.
The MEM Project harnesses interactions with the arts, fostering collective exploration and offering a new understanding of community partnerships. This innovative, mural-based community engagement experience builds self-esteem and generates new connections, making a difference in underserved neighborhoods.
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2010 Boston
important for our generation to engage in social justice activities?
Director, The MEM Project www.thememproject.org
The first action people can take is to identify participating in social justice programs as a priority in their lives. They can then reach out to engage in activities of interest. If there is interest in exploring social justice through the creative arts, they can be in touch with The MEM Project to get involved in an upcoming workshop or mural project.
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David Lasday
Head Coach, Bring It In - Israel www.bringitinisrael.com
Engaging in social justice is a win-win. It has been my experience that the more one gives to their community, the more they get back. In today’s technological age, with the tremendous reach and power we have as individuals, everyone has the ability to make a significant impact on the world. Take the time to learn something online from your friends and community and share it with someone else.
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people in your community can take to get involved in social justice?
Tova Speter
Our generation is becoming more and more distracted by new media and technology that allows digital rather than personal interactions. Active engagement in social justice programs can happen online, but the community spirit and energy derived from direct experience is crucial to the development of our values and our role as future leaders who prioritize acts of community philanthropy.
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Bring It In – Israel looks to develop dynamic young leaders to serve as role models and coaches. The program gives participants the skills to use sports to connect Jewish children worldwide to Israel. In addition, participants hone their skills running educational sports days and mifgashim (cultural exchanges) for Israeli children from different demographics. Sports and play have tremendous power to teach and bring people together.
2 Why is it
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avid Lasday works as a sports-based youth development consultant for Global Game Changers. The PresenTense Global 2010 Fellowship provided David with the tools to create Bring It In Jerusalem - Israel, a program that trains Israel Sports Educators. David, a graduate of the University of Maryland, previously worked as program director for PeacePlayers International - Middle East (PPI-ME) and as assistant general manager for the minor league basketball team the Maryland Nighthawks.
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3 What is one step
It’s never been easier to get involved in social justice. Hundreds of great organizations offer meaningful volunteering opportunities in every community around the world. The Bring It In - Israel Twitter account (@BringItInIsrael) is constantly retweeting social action initiatives and opportunities. Moreover, if you are age 18-24, planning on being in Israel, and want to use sports to build community and teach life skills, apply for the Bring It In - Israel Fellowship.
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issue thirteen 2011
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