SAN DIEGO (Press Release) – The Tarbuton, Israeli Cultural Center has been named one of the nation’s 50 most innovative Jewish nonprofits in Slingshot ’12-‘13, a resource guide for Jewish innovation. The Tarbuton, Israeli Cultural Center was selected for this list because it offers creative Jewish and Israel education and multi-location Hebrew language classes through an alternative lens, with a focus on Hebrew and Israeli culture as entry-points into the Jewish community.
The Slingshot resource guide is distributed to 7,500 funders, foundation professionals, and organizational leaders annually, in addition to tens of thousands of online downloads. Readers use Slingshot to identify the most inspiring and trail blazing organizations, projects, and programs in theNorth American Jewish community today. Slingshot organizations are selected from among hundreds of nominees based on their strength in four areas: innovation, impact, leadership, and organizational efficiency.
The Tarbuton was chosen for the first time this year by an independent panel of 48 foundation professionals from across North America. During the evaluation process of Slingshot, evaluators praised the Tarbuton noting that “no other service providers are tapping into the same market.” Another evaluator also impressed with the growing success commented, “This organization is really changing the landscape of Jewish and Hebrew education in San Diego.” The Tarbuton has grown into a community of 1,000 participants that sees over 100-150 new faces each year.
The Tarbuton provides community wide Jewish Holidays celebrations, adult Israeli book and film clubs, conversational Hebrew gatherings and Israeli cultural events managed primarily by volunteers, but it is the formal educational programs for children and adults with a professional teaching staff that make the Tarbuton truly unique.
Jennie Starr, the Director of the Tarbuton, noted that parents struggle to fit Jewish life into their family’s busy schedules but want meaningful, fun and enriching experiences with other families they can relate to. “We have families that have been with us for nearly 7 years.” She said, “Some join us for Hebrew instruction for sure, because we take it very seriously. But for others, it may not be the Hebrew at all. For some it’s the cultural connection through dance or music and for yet others as simple as enjoying the community.” Building off their success with pre-school through 5th grade, the Tarbuton opened a unique “Shnat Mitzvah” program for 5th-8th graders this year with an emphasis on Israel Education and catering to families planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah in Israel.
Starr said she is proud of the hard work the Tarbuton is doing to provide continuity in Modern Hebrew language instruction from pre-school through High school and supporting adults. “Starts and stops with language are frustrating and debilitating for language learners and the Tarbuton success in educating students in a few hours per week with Modern Hebrew is something to celebrate,” she said. She hopes otherprograms and schools will consider collaborating with the Tarbuton. “Tarbuton Modern Hebrew and Jewish Education & Israel programs can be incorporated into any school program and curriculum. Our instructors have years of shared experience, professional development, and “lessons learned” as we enter our 7th year. We hope to influence and possibly improve the state of Modern Hebrew instruction in San Diego in a variety of ways and institutions in the years to come.”
Hebrew for High School Credit is also available. The two track Hebrew program meets the needs of Israelis (native Hebrew speakers) and Americans separately, but bring the community together in the additional enrichment programs offered in English such as Israeli dance troupe, singing and children’s theatre, sports and martial arts Hebrew enrichment programs and community wide Jewish Holidays celebrations.
Starr said, “While our program began with a Hebrew speaking playgroup and pre-school Hebrew immersion classes, it has become a vibrant Jewish and Israel Education program for all ages and we are committed to engaging San Diego’s next generation of Jews in relevant and meaningful ways.” Starr added, that “being listed in Slingshot is important validation of our work. While being recognized by Slingshot does not guarantee financial support, we are hopeful that increased recognition will lead to increased financial support from national philanthropic organizations and/or individuals. Slingshot exposes us to a vibrant funding community, a valuable vehicle as we work to grow our capacity and take our programming to the next level.”
Recognizing Tarbuton’s value in the community, the Jewish Federation of San Diego County awarded seed funding to the innovative organization both in 2011 and 2012. The funds provided scholarships to needs-based students, making it possible for them to participate. Tarbuton is one of 18 innovation projects in the region funded by Federation. Early next year, Federation’s Community Planning & Innovation Center plans to host Will Schneider, Executive Director of Slingshot, at an event designed to inspire increased understanding of the value of innovative projects and stimulate continued support.
“Kol Hakavod to Jennie Starr for her inspiration, determination and hard work, in creating a unique, forward-thinking resource that is making an important contribution toward keeping conversational Hebrew alive and well in San Diego, “ said Lisa Haney, Director, Community Planning & Innovation Center, Jewish Federation of San Diego County. “The Tarbuton is an outstanding model for other communities in the U.S., which has linked many people to the Jewish community through Hebrew and Jewish celebrations, which is well-deserving of Slingshot recognition,” she said.
The Leichtag Foundation provided early support for the Tarbuton in 2011 and 2012 providing additional scholarship funds for families and supporting the PJ Library program in the Tarbuton, the Modern Hebrew version, Sifriyat Pijama. “The Tarbuton model fits well in the lives of busy families—and provides enrichment and genuine connection, putting the family’s needs, schedules and priorities first,” said Charlene Seidle, Vice President and Executive Director of Leichtag Foundation. “Tarbuton expands possibilities and opportunities; the Leichtag Foundation is proud to be associated with this creative program of excellence.”
Inspired six years ago by Slingshot, a group of next-generation philanthropists launched the Slingshot Fund, a collective giving mechanism to support innovative Jewish life. In just six cycles, 58 members of the Slingshot Fund have contributed more than $2.1 million to innovative Jewish organizations.
Slingshot ’12-’13 was released on November 5, 2012. The community will meet on May 6th in New York City at the annual Slingshot Day, where over 250 not-for-profit leaders, foundation professionals, and funders of all ages will engage in candid conversations about philanthropy and innovation in the Jewish community.
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Preceding provided by Tarbuton