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What is GesherCity
GesherCity is a non-profit entrepreneurial venture connecting young adults, primarily in their early 20's and 30's, to the Jewish community.
The Challenge
Young adults are the most mobile members of society, often moving from city to city to meet the demands of work, school, and family. Because of their busy schedules and changing lifestyles, many Jewish young adults fail to recognize the wealth of existing Jewish resources that add value to their personal and professional lives. To successfully target this community, multi-city participation is required.
The Mission
Our Mission: To bridge young adults to the Jewish community by providing Access to Personal Networks and Information Resources.
Our Goal: To establish a global network of GesherCity “Bridges” branded under a common name that can be recognized by Jewish young adults everywhere. To enhance the Jewish community by building collaborative relationships and developing new community leaders.
Our Vision: To be the hub of the young adult Jewish community.
The Organization
There are two major levels within the GesherCity organization:
- GesherCity National – coordinates and provides invaluable services to local “Bridges”
- GesherCity Local “Bridge” – Independent from the “national” organization, serves to connect Jewish young adults in the local community
The GesherCity Response
With support from private contributors and Combined Jewish Philanthropies, GesherCity (formerly Project Gesher) was founded in Boston in January of 1998 by social entrepreneurs. Through years of experience and multi-city research, GesherCity has identified three important unmet needs common to Jewish young adults:
- A single point of access to Jewish community information and resources.
- A simple way to meet Jewish peers.
- A coordinated effort across communities to respond to the needs of a transient young adult community.
GesherCity will re-engineer existing initiatives or develop new initiatives – local “Bridges” – that address these unmet needs to better serve young adults and their organizations.
GesherCity Services – What We Provide to a Local “Bridge”
GesherCity has developed a platform of services that are essential to strengthening and growing the young adult Jewish community. We provide this model as well as the technology to support it, and the brand marketing to further it.
Methodologies and materials to help create a successful organization tailored to the needs of the local Jewish community.
Networked Technology at www.geshercity.org with a comprehensive Community Events Calendar, Resource Guide, Bulletin Boards, Cluster Administration, Registered User Database, and Reporting Tools. Through easy-to-use administrative pages, local “Bridges” can input information, resources, and events, as well as tailor the local “look and feel.”
Participation in the global network of GesherCity “Bridges” that enables graduating college students, birthright israel alumni, and other newcomers to develop “virtual” Jewish community relationships BEFORE moving to their new city and “face-to-face” friendships once settled in their new environment.
Marketing of the GesherCity brand and local “Bridge” on campuses and in cities across North America.
Global Forum for both professional and lay leaders to brainstorm ideas, discuss challenges, and share best practices.
Amenities of a Local “Bridge”
GesherCity provides an adaptable, flexible, and scalable tool-kit for bridging young adults to the Jewish community. More specifically, the local “bridge” provides:
INFORMATION RESOURCES
* Welcome Packets
* Resource Guide to the Jewish Community
* Community Calendar and eNews
* Bulletin Boards
PERSONAL NETWORKS
* Themed Clusters (small social groups)
* Welcome Programs
* Discussion Forums
Serving the Community, Not Competing With It
As a means and not an end, the local “bridge” is an enabling organization, a tool for young adults to get connected to the larger Jewish community. Since a local “bridge” is mission-driven, not membership driven, it works with existing organizations, not against them. It assists local organizations in marketing and helps outreach to young adults who have expressed an interest in their programs or similar activities. Moreover, a local “bridge” is a mechanism for training volunteers so that they will become educated leaders in the local Jewish community.
Bridging the “birthright israel” Gap
As thousands of young adults are returning from their Israel experience, GesherCity offers a central point of contact that enables alumni to channel their desire to connect to the Jewish community. Through multiple methods of engagement, especially our theme-based clusters, GesherCity can harness their excitement and energy, respond to their particular interests and needs, and help turn their new found ideas into reality.
The Overall Benefits of GesherCity to the Jewish Community
Continuity. Young adults are at a critical stage when many major life decisions are made. Engaging them at this decisive time of life is an investment in the Jewish present and the Jewish future. Responsive to Young Adult Needs and Wants. GesherCity’s self-selected clusters provide an easy, comfortable way for young adults to meet each other to build friendships and to network. Our web portal is a one-stop-shop young adults can turn to for all information about their community and to learn about a new one.Strengthen Existing Programs. GesherCity benefits existing Jewish organizations by increasing young adult involvement, organizing collaborative events, and publicizing other organizations. We do not compete with any organization or program.Leadership Development. By enabling young adults to do things they want to do, at whatever level they wish to get involved, and equipping them with leadership skills, GesherCity builds leaders that benefit the whole community.Investment in Donor Acquisition. With a proven ability to bridge uninvolved young adults to the community, and increase the participation of those already involved, GesherCity is the best way to make a fresh, positive impression on young adults and in turn augment their financial contributions. Publicity. GesherCity is a signature program that will attract publicity and good will. As a result, GesherCity draws the attention of major contributors with a desire to support young adult programs.
GesherCity’s Commitment to Growth
GesherCity is building a global network of “Bridges” to establish a streamlined gateway for young adults into the Jewish community, both online and offline. To become a supporter, build a GesherCity “Bridge”, or for additional information please email geshercity@geshercity.org.
