Launchpad launch

March 1, 2016 by J-Wire Staff
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A three-day annual retreat providing an opportunity for members of Australia’s Jewish community passionate about re-imagining Jewish life and social change in Australia to connect with like minded people, to think, create and lead together will take place in May.

The 2016 LaunchPad Retreat is set to take off again on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

Launchpad retreat

Launchpad retreat

The retreat has been hugely successful to date, with a diverse group of entrepreneurs, professionals, volunteers, thinkers, activists and change-makers coming together to incubate projects which are already making a difference to the lives of members of our community and beyond.  “For me, LaunchPad was truly life changing” said Shannyn Gelbart creator of the Meaningful Music Movement and Barefoot Shabbat, “I finally found other young people in my community who were passionate and motivated, dreaming big and making change”.

The event is more than just a chance for like-minded people to get together, it creates a network of ongoing support and provides access for social entrepreneurs and change agents to the ongoing assistance and financial support necessary to bring their vision to life. To continue what is seeded and inspired at the event, LaunchPad remains a platform for support and advice all year-round for the LaunchPad community and beyond, “My experience was truly extraordinary, and has provided a platform to work with an amazingly giving, gifted and driven group of people … It’s the gift that keeps on giving” said Dalia Gross, founder of the Juice Project, a program designed to reach out to, connect with and inspire disadvantaged Jewish youth in Melbourne.

The program attracts high-caliber speakers like Elliott Costello (CEO of YGAP), Jan Owen (CEO of Foundation for Young Australians) and Jordan O’Riely (founder of Fighting Chance Australia), who have all shared their knowledge and experience with participants at past events. “[The retreat] provided knowledge, imparted by some of the greatest minds, it provided inspiration through a cohort of passionate participants, and gave us the opportunity to actualise the vision which emerged as a product of this environment” said Rachel Flitman, who has been a participant during the previous two retreats and used a program grant to found Tribe: Let my People Know, an app focused on connecting people with Jewish community events across a range of categories including Israel, Spiritual, Social Justice, Art/Leisure, Educational & Social activities.

The retreat organisers are looking for a dynamic and diverse group from all across Australia, if you are age 22+, live in Australia and can attend the entirety of the retreat, you are eligible to apply. Applications (open now through www.launchpadoz.org) close on the 14th of March.

LaunchPad is a partnership between Australian Jewish Funders (thanks to the generous support of The Besen Family Foundation), the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, and ROI Community (Schusterman’s international network of activists and change-makers who are redefining Jewish engagement for a new generation of global citizens). JCA and The Shalom Institute join the collaboration for the 2016 LaunchPad Retreat. Together, these organisations are making it a top priority to invest in the future of Jewish life in Australia and build inspired and enduring Jewish communities.

Comments

One Response to “Launchpad launch”
  1. Ron Burdo says:

    Great initiative. Good luck!

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