JCC Association Forms Strategic Alliance with GesherCity to Serve Young Jewish Adults

(New York, January 8, 2004) - In an effort to better serve thousands of young Jewish adults moving to a new town or trying to make the connection from campus to community, JCC Association has formed a strategic alliance with GesherCity, an initiative successfully connecting young Jewish adults to the Jewish community in Boston, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, New Jersey, and Baltimore. Together, GesherCity and JCC Association will network JCC young adult programs throughout North America, using GesherCity’s proven methodologies, brand, and technology (www.geshercity.org).

JCC Association recognizes that Jewish young adults are one of the most challenging demographic groups to engage, given their mobility and changing lifestyles. By bringing together JCC young adult programs under a common brand and website, JCC Association will enable JCCs to reach out to the young adult Jewish population more effectively. Through GesherCity’s local “bridges,” young adults can find out about community organizations, events, resources, apartments, and roommates. More importantly, they can connect with other young adults with similar interests through theme-based clusters, and make new friends online as well as at cluster get-togethers, newcomer information sessions, and community events.

“From the first time I heard about GesherCity, I was wowed by the approach and concept,” said Patricia Cipora Harte, assistant vice-president of program services at JCC Association, “I’m excited to be able to offer this to JCCs as a young-adult programming option.” Ronald S. Kasner, GesherCity's president, said, "We recognize that in order for us to achieve our full potential and reach thousands of additional young Jewish adults, we must have professional leadership and become part of a dynamic, established continental organization like JCC Association of North America."

JCC Association will provide continental coordination and communication among existing and newly developed local GesherCity programs, organize staff training opportunities, manage continental marketing initiatives of the brand, and enhance the existing technology. A continental coordinator, supervised by Harte, will be based in the JCC Association offices in New York City. A new continental young adult task force of JCC Association, led by Kasner, will provide lay oversight. Kasner and Ben Gordon, Founder and Chairman of GesherCity, have also joined the JCC Association Board of Directors.

JCC Association is the leadership network of, and central agency for the Jewish Community Center Movement, which is comprised of more than 275 JCCs, YM-YWHAs and camps in the U. S. and Canada. JCC Association offers a wide range of services and resources to strengthen the capacity of its affiliates to provide educational, cultural, social, Jewish identity-building, and recreational programs to enhance the lives of North American Jews of all ages and backgrounds. Additionally, the movement fosters and strengthens connections between North American Jews and Israel as well as with world Jewry. JCC Association is also the only U.S. government accredited agency for serving the religious and social needs of Jewish military personnel, their families, and patients in VA hospitals through JWB Jewish Chaplains Council.

 

the Collaborative and GesherCity Partner in Philadelphia
Philadelphia to further benefit Jewish Young Adults

(Philadelphia, November 11, 2002) - The Collaborative and GesherCity will work together to strengthen greater Philadelphia's hub for the young adult Jewish community. As one of GesherCity's local bridges, the Collaborative GesherCity will better address the needs and interests of young adults in or moving to the Philadelphia area and foster closer relationships with local Jewish organizations.

"We are excited to be working with GesherCity, an organization on the cutting edge of technology and innovative methods for connecting unaffiliated young adults," says Suzanne McGoldrick, Co-Director for the Collaborative. "By working with GesherCity, we can be a part of a coordinated effort across communities and tap into the GesherCity brand and best practices network."

"This is a great plus for GesherCity," says GesherCity President, Ronald Kasner. "The Collaborative has become an important resource for Jewish young adults in Philadelphia. By working with it, we can do more than either one of us could do alone. … It's a win for Jewish young adults in Philadelphia and the Jewish community as a whole."

GesherCity is a global initiative to bridge young adults to the Jewish community by providing access to Personal Networks and Information Resources. A non-profit organization, GesherCity offers technology, marketing, and consulting services to assist Jewish community programs for young adults, or to help communities develop new ones that address the needs of young adults, serve as a gateway to the local Jewish community, and connect individuals to a network of local "bridges." For more information contact 410-528-2855 or info@geshercity.org.

 

GesherCity Winter 2002 eNewsletter released
The GesherCity GateWay, Winter 2002

(Boston, March 1, 2002) -GesherCity: We have completed our second release of the Geshercity quarterly eNewsletter, The GesherCity GateWay. The eNewsletter will continue to keep you updated with GesherCity as a whole as well as the local bridges.

 

GesherCity and ZBT Partner
Making the Transition from Campus to Community Seamless

(Baltimore, MD, October 1, 2001) - GesherCity and Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity ("ZBT") have formed a partnership to promote the services of GesherCity to Fraternity Brothers around the country. GesherCity will enable seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates to connect with the Jewish community prior to graduation and/or upon moving from city to city in furthering their professional careers.

"We are excited to offer GesherCity as a service to ZBT. Our 'clusters' [interest groups] will serve as a great means for fraternity brothers to remain connected to each other after college and to continue developing the vast leadership skills gained through ZBT," says Ron Kasner, President of GesherCity.

"ZBT has always tried to help our brothers once they leave campus. GesherCity is another great way for us to do that," says Jonathan I. Yulish, Executive Director of ZBT. "The post-college years are tough. This partnership will help make it easier to meet brothers from different campuses who have moved to the same city. They can also develop professional networks and find the resources they need in the Jewish community."

GesherCity and its webportal at www.geshercity.org will be featured on the ZBT website and via emails and other marketing material to fraternity brothers nationwide. In addition, GesherCity will look to help facilitate ZBT clusters in their local bridges.

Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity is the Nation’s oldest and largest historically Jewish Fraternity with over 50 years of non-Sectarian Brotherhood.

GesherCity is a global initiative to bridge young adults to the Jewish community by providing personal networks and access to information and resources. GesherCity, a non-profit organization, offers consulting, marketing, and technology services to assist Jewish community programs for young adults, or to help communities develop new ones. These local "bridges" address the needs of young adults, serve as a gateway to the local Jewish community, and connect to a network of local "bridges." For more information contact Ron Kasner, President of GesherCity at 617-388-9154 or ronk@geshercity.org.



GesherCity quarterly eNewsletter released
The GesherCity GateWay, Summer 2001

(Boston, July 31, 2001) -GesherCity: We have just completed our first release of the Geshercity quarterly eNewsletter, The GesherCity GateWay, starting with Summer 2001. The eNewsletter will keep you updated with GesherCity as a whole as well as the local bridges. As we continue to expand, so will the eNewsletter with informational sections such as What's New at GesherCity, Volunteer of the Quarter and local Gesherim events and happenings.

 

Hillel and GesherCity Partner
National Agencies Combine Strengths for Jewish Young Adults

(Washington, D.C., June 20, 2001) -Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life and GesherCity, two agencies known for their expertise in working with Jewish young adults, will work together to help them find their place in the Jewish community.

The organizations have signed an agreement for a one-year partnership that brings together their mutual strengths. The focus of the Hillel and GesherCity partnership will be the creation of local "bridges" in Miami and Seattle that will serve as gateways to the Jewish community. Together, Hillel and GesherCity will facilitate the connection between campus and community, addressing the needs and interests of young adults, fostering closer relationships with local Jewish organizations, and promoting the "GesherCity" brand as the entry point to the Jewish community for young adults.

"We are thrilled to be working with GesherCity, an innovator among Jewish young adults," says Hillel President and International Director Richard M. Joel. "We are both committed to connecting Jewish young adults with their Jewishness, their community and with one another. Through this relationship we will be able to help them achieve a comfortable transition as they take their place as adult members of the Jewish community."

"This is a natural and ideal partnership," says GesherCity National Director Alison Corton. "Hillel not only brings to the table its vast international network of college graduates, it is a leader in engaging Jewish young adults through innovative programs and experiences. We look forward to sharing our strengths."

In Miami and Seattle, Hillel programs for college graduates - the Jconnect initiative - will become GesherCity Jconnect sites. The GesherCity Jconnect program will employ current Jconnect staff and will be housed in Hillel facilities. Miami and Seattle will be added to GesherCity's state-of-the art Webportal (www.geshercity.org) that already features Boston, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.

Local and national Hillel and GesherCity professionals will supervise GesherCity Jconnect staff. In addition, Hillel will create a special track for young adult lay leaders at its Schusterman Hillel International Lay Leadership Conference.

GesherCity is a global initiative to bridge young adults to the Jewish community by providing personal networks and access to information and resources. GesherCity, a non-profit organization, offers consulting, marketing, and technology services to assist Jewish community programs for young adults, or to help communities develop new ones. These programs address the needs of young adults, serve as a gateway to the local Jewish community, and connect individuals to a network of local "bridges." For more information contact 617-457-8573 or info@geshercity.org.

The largest Jewish campus organization in the world, Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, is committed to creatively empowering and engaging Jewish students through its network of over 500 regional centers, campus Foundations and affiliates. Hillel has been a pioneer in engaging Jewish college students in their campus Jewish communities. Hillel's long-standing dedication to building Jewish identity, while nurturing intellectual and spiritual growth in a pluralistic community, positions Hillel as a leader in building a stronger Jewish people and stronger Jewish future.

 

Baltimore and Washington DC sign on with GesherCity

(Boston, March 2001) - GesherCity  is excited to announce the start of our newest bridge in Baltimore! GesherCity has reached an agreement in principle with The Associated: The Jewish Federation of Baltimore, JLINC: A Jewish Program for Young Adults, and the Jewish Community Center to start up our newest bridge -- J-LINC GesherCity Baltimore! J-LINC GesherCity Baltimore will have a home in the JCC. Charm City is home to a large number of twenty-thirtysomethings, many of whom are returning to Baltimore and looking to get connected. We look forward to J-LINC GesherCity Baltimore helping to make Baltimore one of the most dynamic and successful communities in the country! Look for the web launch in June.

GesherCity is also excited for EntryPointDC GesherCity which has completed its web launch and began its first clusters. Check the Washington DC Events Calendar ("EC") for the kick-off party which will be packed. Finally, GesherCity Boston continues to be the gateway for Jewish young adults in Boston. From one study, about 25% of Jewish InterAction's new members heard about the local organization from GesherCity Boston. That's definitely a huge success.

GesherCity now has three bridges up and running in Boston, Washington DC, and Baltimore. With our new National Director, Alison Corton, we will continue to expand nationally and increase awareness of GesherCity throughout North America. We expect to add 5-6 new bridges over the next year, with target cities throughout the country. Contact Alison at 617-457-8573 to start a bridge in your community.