Alumni Venture Fund Annual Report 2012
The Alumni Venture Fund (AVF) is the only Jewish mini-grant program of its kind that enables peer-to-peer funding and support. Grants are awarded to projects that alumni lead in their home communities and around the world. Since the AVF's launch in 2005, the Bronfman community has distributed over $180,000 to 90 projects of lasting impact This is our first public annual report, reflecting on both the past year of fundraising and grant-making,
as well as a look into the past three years of accomplishments.
Giving
Grantmaking
In 2012, we supported 18 initiatives led by 18 BYFI alumni from North America and Israel!
Creative Ways to Give
In 2010 and again in 2011, the AVF was recognized as one of the nation’s 50 most innovative Jewish nonprofits in Slingshot, a resource guide for Jewish innovation.
MyBatMitzvahStory.org, Judith Rosenbaum ’90, Spring 2012​
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The Jewish Women’s Archive brings the stories of American Jewish women to life for one million people each year. MyBatMitzvahStory.org (MBMS) makes those stories compelling to a new generation, giving any girl with an Internet connection a safe place to explore and express her emerging identity.
St. Louis JCC Hazon CSA
Hallie Loeb Neuman '87,
Spring 2011
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The St. Louis JCC's Hazon Community Supported Agricultre (CSA) project provides community members the opportunity to pre-purchase shares of a farmer's produce for a growing season. The CSA guarantees the farmer a secure market and gives individuals in the community access to local, fresh, organic produce at competitive prices, while helping to preserve farmland and build community.
Creative Writing Workshop at The Women's Safe House,
Louisa Kornblatt ’09, Spring 2012
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Students from Washington University in St. Louis explore creative writing with the residents at a domestic violence shelter. During their weekly sessions, participants do a variety of exercises centered around literacy and creativity. Mentors are both active writers and trained in the sensitive topic of domestic violence. Louisa developed this project during her year as a BYFI-Repair the World Campus Ambassador
Shonim, Lior Zalmanson ’00 (Amit), Spring 2012
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"Shonim" (meaning "Different" in Modern Hebrew and "Studying" in Talmudic Hebrew) is a cultural event celebrating the Jewish fringe, which seeks to unite who don’t currently feel drawn or connected to Jewish culture. Young Jews from all over Israel came to a famous night venue in Tel Aviv and heard talks, watched fringe films on Jewish fantasy and horror, and explored performance art. The night ended with a Yiddish-electro-swing party.
Come & Listen: Jewish Food for Thought, Hannah Kapnik '04, Winter 2010
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Come & Listen: Jewish Food for Thought is a Jewish podcast available online to anyone of any age, any sect or cultural background. CL offers listeners a round table that includes Jewish philosophers, artists, academics, scientists, rabbis and authors.
The Philadelphia Seder,
Elijah Dornstreich '92, Winter 2012
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The Gershman Y’s Philadelphia Seder (www.philadelphiaseder.com) puts a unique, contemporary spin on the traditional Jewish holiday of Passover. It is a cultural journey through the themes of Passover via music, dance, poetry, and other art forms that welcomes people from all religious and cultural backgrounds.
Princeton Shechita Seminar,
David Wolkenfeld '97,
Winter 2011
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In January 2012, Princeton hosted 10 students and recent university graduates for an intensive, weeklong seminar on shechita (ritual slaughter). Participants delved into the principles of shechita law and were trained in how to prepare, slaughter, and clean a chicken according to Jewish law. In addition to teaching the participants about the process of shechita, one of the program’s goals was to empower young adults within the traditional community to maintain independence from industrial animal farming.
Your Investment in Action
Q: Who reviews applications?
Learn more about the 21 member Alumni Advisory Board.
Q: What are we looking for?
- Alignment with BYFI mission
- Impact of project
- Innovation
- Brings new ideas to a wider audience
Our Funding Strategy
Recognition
In honor of his wedding, Matthew Goldberg (BYFI '99) and his wife, Larissa, asked guests to donate to the AVF.
Anya Tudisco (BYFI '11) asked for donations from friends and family to the AVF in honor of her 18th birthday.
To celebrate the birth of Miriam Voorwinde (daughter of Becky Voorwinde, BYFI '97), alumni and friends donated to the AVF.
2003 Bronfmanim have given in memory of Jeffrey Eisenberg Z"L, who was a 2003 Fellow.