Author: Jennie Starr This article does a great job of arguing “Israeliness” may be a solution to combat apathy towards organized Jewish life in the Diaspora and the challenges of assimilation. Though I’m not a fan of the term “Israeliness,”  I do believe Israeli culture and Hebrew language can be key to raising Jewish Americans with an Israeli lens that bridges and connects us for years to come. Some of my favorite quotes from within: Oblivion knocks. The two obvious alternatives—aliya and Orthodoxy—require so radical a change in one’s lifestyle that they’re… Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jennie Starr Tarbuton & Startup18 858-201-6094 info@tarbuton.org http://www.tarbuton.org http://www.startup18.org Tarbuton Announces San Diego Jewish Educator Awards Tarbuton is pleased to announce that Craig Parks of Carlsbad was selected for the San Diego Harold Grinspoon Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewish Education for Multi-Institutional and Independent Jewish Educators. Tarbuton/Startup18 Jewish Educator Awards were also awarded to Lillian Elbaz of Sierra Mesa for her work as a multi-institution educator & entrepreneur and Arielle Gereboff of La Jolla for her work as an independent Bar/Bat Mitzvah experiential educator. Eligibility was based… Read More

Jewish collaboration requires a courtship to understand synergies and opportunities, overcome pitfalls, and create mutually beneficial collaboration.  It’s about creating something new and great neither organization could do themselves. We reach new people, build different and better programming, or simply help nurture and support each other’s existence.  This kind of authentic collaboration is the Holy Grail of greater engagement of the Jewish people.  It’s what makes the difference in good to great, in rote vs. inspiring and it’s what feeds our Jewish soul and invigorates us. Jewish partners take risks, sharing their… Read More