Stacy attends college in a small town in rural Illinois. As a Jewish student, she’s noticed something: few other students are familiar with her culture.
But Stacy has a plan. She’s creating a pop-up Jewish deli in the center of campus to infuse student life with some Jewish culture. The deli will be open just before Passover of 2014, with Jewish musicians adding to the atmosphere.
Stacy’s big Jewish idea is becoming a reality thanks to the #MakeItHappen project, an initiative of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Philanthropic Network. Earlier this fall, Schusterman put out a global call to action for Jewish individuals to submit inspiring ideas for creating Jewish experiences in their communities.
Schusterman will select up to 50 ideas from around the world for micro-grants of up to $1,000 each, with five ideas receiving up to $5,000. Submissions will be accepted through January 14. The initiative is designed to activate ideas from individuals, not solicit requests from organizations for operating or programmatic budgets.
As Schusterman’s Minnesota community partner, the Minneapolis Jewish Federation will provide up to 10 additional micro-grants to individuals in the Greater Minneapolis area.
So now it’s your turn, Twin Cities Jewfolk: what’s your big Jewish idea?
Whether it’s related to food, education, music, prayer, as long as your idea identifies a creative means of engaging, serving and leading our local Jewish community, it’s eligible! Check out the ideas that have already been selected; they run the gamut from Parsha Poetry slams, to tribute concerts for Jewish rockstars, to more davening options in Kenya.
For the fine print, click here. And when you’re ready to submit your own big idea, you can do so right here.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, or have more ideas than you know what to do with, share your ideas in the comments below!
Happy brainstorming – we can’t wait to help you #MakeItHappen!