Forward Movement
The Forest Foundation's first year is coming to a close in the next few weeks, and we've had quite an exciting run. Without question the Forest Foundation has established a presence in the Santa Barbara area from as far north as Isla Vista/Goleta and as far south as downtown. The Jewish community and beyond have felt the force of working with motivated college students and have come back begging for more. The idea - it seems - can only grow from here, and it is now more evident than ever that the revolution has begun. Viva la revolucion!!!
-David W. Fingerote
Summer Approaching
With summer right around the corner, and many of our fellows leaving town and either going home or abroad for the next few months, it's important for the full-time staff of the Forest Foundation to not let up. There's a palpable feeling of accomplishment and closure regarding everything we've done this year, but the month of June and the end of the university school year does not signal an endpoint or restart for our work. Rather, it is a moment of transition, and a point at which the full-time staff must work as hard as ever to incorporate new faces and ideas into what we have built this year. So, while summer may be a time of vacation for many of our fellows, and although the foundation may seem to slow down in the public eye for the next few months, we will be in fact as busy as ever, working toward the success of the next school year while maintaining several programs here in Santa Barbara and elsewhere. Call it what you will, a new developmental stage or moment of gestation or what have you, but we'll be here, working to improve our students and the community, just like we always do. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend.
Logan
Chanukah in May
The Santa Barbara Jewish Festival came and went this past weekend (5/22/05) and I think it was a hit. As a first-time participant in such an event I can safely say that a ton of work goes in to putting together a successful festival. Members of the general public attend with high expectations revolving around food, entertainment, festival arrangement, and weather, all of which come together to provide a comfortable ambiance. All of the ingredients were just right this year. We managed to stir together a heaping scoop of sunshine, a generous portion of delicious ethnic food, spiced up with a splash of ethnic (and not so ethnic) music, and blended it together in a naturally flowing arrangement. Kudos to all involved, it was a great way to start off the Santa Barbara summer festvial series.
Spring Quarter Winding Down
As spring quarter winds down, the foundation is already looking ahead to next year. What can we do to further motivate the students and bring our work to the next level? There are a lot of possibilities for improvement and advancement out there, and we are looking in to many of them. Rest assured that we will exhaust every positive idea that we can think of. Until then, however, we'll let the students enjoy their summer and reflect on the positive work they did over the course of this year and what they may do in the future.
Logan
Guest Blog: Martine Beerman
The following was written by new fellow Martine Beerman:
Martine Beerman is a third year, double major in Psychology and Comparative Literature at UCSB. Martine is currently working under the mentorship of Rabbi Yaakov and Hannah Fleschel. She has started two new community service projects in Isla Vista, giving students the opportunity to either 'Adopt-a-Grandparent' at the retirement community, Friendship Manor or participate in a 'Teen Mentorship' program at the Isla Vista Teen Center. She hopes that these projects give students the opportunity to reach out and help people in the community.
Guest Blog: Jessica McNamara
The following was written by fellow Jessica McNamara:
My mission for the Forest Foundation is to build name recognition in the community, starting first as a liaison between the Foundation and the Greek System of UC Santa Barbara. The members of the Greek system are highly motivated and involved in the community, making them ideal candidates for the Foundation. I hope to start by increasing awareness of the program by word of mouth, flyers, announcements at meetings and a large BBQ. I hope to get an established representative in each house and to get the Foundation involved in supporting the philanthropies that the Greek system puts on to give back to the community. This is an excellent way to build an association between the Foundation and the community. I am also looking into getting the Foundation recognized with campus affiliation through the Office of Student Life. A large goal I have is to see the Foundation receive more spotlight in the business world so employers can recognize the experience that the Fellows have that set them apart from their peers.
Our Goal
Here at the Forest Foundation, we talk a lot about what our basic goal is: to make the world a better place. Well, that's a great first step and idealic goal, but it is nonetheless very general and vague. So it's always good to refresh ourselves on how exactly we're going to accomplish this goal. Therefore, how do we do it? Essentially, we accomplish this goal in a basic two-fold process:
1) We hire, train, and supervise college students to develop and run community programs, and
2) The students in turn work for the benefit of the community, both now and hopefully into the future.
Of course, it's a liitle more complex than this, but that's a fairly accurate basic outling of how we make the world a little better. To put it in a cliche way, we're teaching students how to fish, so that they can feed their community for a lifetime. We're a foundation with a vision, to accomplish our goal now and well into the future.
Logan
Guest Blog: Holly Spevak
The following is from new fellow Holly Spevak:
My name is Holly Spevak and I am proud to be a second year at UC Santa Barbara. I absolutely adore the weather, seeing how it strikingly contrasts with that of Houston, Texas, my hometown. In my time here at Santa Barbara, I have tried to make the best of every moment.
This year I was presented with the Forest Foundation and what it had to offer. First and foremost, I took note of two remarkable leaders, David Cygielman and Jordan Fruchtman. These young gentlemen are not only outstanding friends, but easy to work with. Second, I sat down with David Cygielman and found out what I could do that involved particular interests of mine; public relations, getting sponsorships, meeting accomplished elders, and much more. After discussing for a while, David presented me a few options.
Since then I have been assisting Dale Nissenson in organizing Hillel’s Spring 2005 Celebration of Jewish Life and Community. This has given me the opportunity to personally meet some of Hillel’s most generous donors, and get to know them on a personal level. It has been incredible for me to meet so many other Jewish people.
In my elementary, middle, and high schools, I was surrounded by less than 5 other Jewish students. Since I’ve been here at UC Santa Barbara, I have been blessed to find such a tight knit community centered around our very own Hillel.
In short, the Forest Foundation is paying me to do what I love best. My public relation skills have been growing immensely and I have made many amazing contacts. These are things that will help me out through the rest of my life, and I am so thankful to be a part of such an incredible organization.
Society of Young Philanthropists Thank You Note
The following is an email sent by Elishia Shokrian, President of the Society of Young Philanthropists, to everyone who helped make the Society's gala ball on Saturday a success:
My Friends,
I think the greatest part of this thus far is that some of you have already been asking me when our next meeting is! I am amazed by the work and dedication everyone put into this organization and into the event. All of the hard work and preparation proved to be worth it. Every single detail of the night was ABSOLUTLY PERFECT. The past six months have been an amazing journey. We were able to take an idea and turn into something that will make a positive and powerful impact. I think everyone needs to be proud of that. You should also be extremely proud of the fact that you have set a precedent for many others to follow. I am extremely fortunate to have gone through this process with everyone involved and I can’t stress enough how this would NEVER have been possible without the dedication and hard work that everyone consistently put in. I feel honored to have gone through this with you, and I thank you for believing in something so strongly and passionately. It’s true what Tati said, we have become a family through this process. I think this was an amazing learning experience for all of us, and I hope everyone was able to benefit from it in many ways. I can truly say for myself, this was one of the best experiences of my life. I hope that our organization and our friendships will only get stronger as we grow on this journey.
With deepest gratitude,
Elishia
Guest Blog: Alli Blender
The following is from Alli Blender, one of our fellows in the Bay Area:
I grew up in Los Angeles (or the San Fernando Valley if you want to get technical) with all of my family in very close proximity. I’ve never had to fly to visit a relative and I’ve never been without family on a holiday. It is so important to me to be with those I love, but somehow I’ve wound up at UC Berkeley, a 5-6 hour drive from home. I love Berkeley and my experience here is something I will cherish forever, but being here has made me realize just how important loved ones are, which is why both programs I’m working on with the Forest Foundation are about bring people together and making people feel safe, wanted, and loved.
Initially, I came to the Forest Foundation with an idea called KIDLINE, which is based on a program in Tucson, Arizona. The program provides simply someone to talk to for children ages 5-13. The average callers are home alone and/or lonely and someone asking them how their day was, is all they’d ever want to make them feel safe and comforted. Unfortunately for me and those children, I’ve had some trouble finding a location for the program, which has postponed its debut into the Berkeley/Oakland area, but it is definitely still a work in progress and I hope to see KIDLINE up and running by next fall.
After attending the Forest Foundation conference in Santa Barbra, I was incredibly inspired to make at least some program work in Berkeley. Motivated by the Santa Barbra’s Forest Foundation branch’s work with the elderly, I’ve decided to begin an Adopt-A-Grandparent program which matches college students with the residents of the Jewish Home for the Aged who don’t necessarily have family close by to visit. This program will also start in fall, 2005 and until then, I’ve been working with the Jewish Home for the Aged on their events.
I am so grateful to the Forest Foundation for allowing me this amazing opportunity to work on projects about which I am passionate. It is so rare for college students, or even any age group these days, to have the opportunity to love their work and I truly love what I’m doing.
Guest Blog: Justin Young
The following is from fellow Justin Young:
I am a third year, political science major at sunny UCSB. I currently work for the Alpha Epsilon Pi Outreach Program for the Forest Foundation.
The Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity has changed my life in so many ways since I got to college. It has helped foster my growth as a leader, it has helped teach me many valuable lessons in life, I have strengthened my Jewish identity, and just grown as a person through this organization. AEPi emphasizes Jewish identity and social action, but the problem is many other organizations and people in the community do not know this yet. My goal by joining and working for the Forest Foundation is to bridge the gap between Alpha Epsilon Pi and the rest of the Santa Barbara Jewish community. We have many of the same goals and visions. I want to strengthen these goals, visions, and relationships to bring both the AEPi and the Santa Barbara Jewish community to a new level.
Guest Blog: Miriam Shoval
The following was written by fellow Miriam Shoval:
Miriam Shoval has been dancing for many years, but only got addicted to Israeli Dancing through her parents (who met Israeli Dancing!) at age 15. When she was 16 Miriam taught dance at Camp Ramah, and then started an Israeli dancing group at UCSB her freshmen year. In addition to dancing she also plays soccer, swims, runs, sings, teaches religous school at B'nai B'rith (and in her spare time attends classes at UCSB). Her hope is that with the help of the Forest Foundation Israeli Dancing will become big in Santa Barbara and continue on even after she has graduated.
Guest Blog: Mitch Swersky
The following is from new fellow Mitch Swersky:
My name is Mitch Swersky. I’m a second year student at UCSB and my major is Political Science. My hometown is San Diego, but I was born in Jo'burg, South
Africa. Some of my interests include football, basketball, European soccer, baseball, poker, going to the beach, playing ping pong, listening to and downloading all types of music, and most of all traveling.
I only recently began working for the Forest Foundation, and I already feel as if it is something that will truly benefit me in many ways. I feel that the foundation will allow me to gain better leadership, planning, and working skills as well as motivate me for the future. I love the fact that I am able to gain these new skills while doing something positive for the community.
My job for the Forest Foundation is to put on sports events for students in Isla Vista to benefit JAM. Some of the things I have been working on are a three-on-three basketball tournament and possibly having a broom ball event with other universities. I look forward to many successful events, lots of fun, and valuable learning experience.
Guest Blog: Ken Stolman
The following was written by Ken Stolman, a new fellow working in New York City:
As the Co-Director for the birthright israel Alumni Association, Ken Stolman currently seeks to create a dynamic national network of young Jews through the birthright israel Alumni Association (BRIAA).
Born and raised in Chicago and having graduated from Northwestern University in 2001, Ken moved to New York City after graduation and began his work experience with The Gift of New York (TGNY): a post-9/11 philanthropy that provided free access to New York’s entertainment for the families of the victims of the tragedy. The purpose of the program was to use arts as a way to heal the pain that the family members endured. The very successful 18 month program provided more than 65,000 tickets to 90% of the eligible families(14,000 people), and TGNY formally closed in the summer of 2003. At that time, intrigued with philanthropic ventures, Ken proposed the creation of an alumni network for birthright israel, a new element to the program that would unite the tens of thousands of participants who shared a common bond. As an alum of the program, Ken wanted to give back and develop a framework for the many passionate returnees to connect to the community, the program, and to each other. Currently, the BRIAA consists of strong chapters around North America, including: Chicago, NY, LA, Miami, DC, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, and Toronto, and continues to expand to new cities.
Interested in philanthropic strategic planning, Ken is planning to get his MBA in Marketing to better contribute to the nonprofit world.
Guest Blog: Hassan Elhaj
The following was written by new fellow Hassan Elhaj:
While I am still very new to the Forest Foundation, I feel that the opportunity provided here is truly amazing. The fact that it empowers you to become a better human being in all respects and provides crucial services to those in need was hard to grasp at first, almost too good to be true. I am beginning to see how through compassion and determination it is possible to change the world and make it a happier place. I foresee that as time goes on and I become more involved the benefits of being part of the Foundation will only increase.
The fellowship with the Forest Foundation allows me to become better connected with the community. As of now I am trying to create a constructive relationship with the
Dream Foundation of Santa Barbara. They provide a precious service in bringing to life the wishes of the terminally ill. I hope to aid this wonderful organization in any way I can, and further involve others currently in the Forest Foundation to help out in Dream Foundation activities.
Guest Blog: Lauren Rebenstorf
The following is from new fellow Lauren Rebenstorf:
My name is Lauren Rebenstorf and I am from the suburbs of Los Angeles. Here, I was able to participate in various activities such as gymnastics, dance, basketball, soccer, YMCA Indian Princesses, swimming, and religious school. These groups allowed me to explore several avenues of learning. In high school, I became involved in marching band, wind ensemble, and orchestra where I was put through constant leadership training as a band captain and section leader (i.e.oboe). Drama was also a forte of mine, for it was here that I not only acted, but also fitted costumed and directed.
In terms of Jewish activities, I participated in the Southwestern Region of the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization. This organization allowed me to grow and develop roots in Judaism as well as let me run and be elected as treasurer and president of my chapter. These positions taught me leadership, business, accounting, fundraising, event-planning, and organizational skills.
Currently, I am a student at the University of California, Santa Barbara where I am active in events hosted by the Jewish Awareness Movement. It is my hope that through these activities such as the upcoming trip to Israel in the summer that I will develop a sense of spirituality as a Jew.
Guest Blog: Rebecca Pasternak
The following are words from new fellow Rebecca Pasternak:
Judaism has always been a very important part of my life, and I was very involved in my Jewish community in Tarzana, CA where I grew up. I have always been anxious to get other Jewish people to be excited about their religion as well, and I felt that I had the necessary resources to do so in Tarzana.
Moving away from home to UCSB was not an easy transition for me to make, but the variety of Jewish opportunities the UCSB community offers helped make my transition so much smoother. I always felt so fortunate for having so many Jewish programs to get involved in and for having a place where I felt that I belonged. The Jewish programs I became involved in became my home away from home, and the people I met through them became my UCSB family. I felt blessed to have such a strong support network, and I wanted to make other Jewish students aware of the amazing resources available to them.
When I heard about the Forest Foundation, I knew that it could serve as my necessary resource to encourage other Jewish students to get involved in their Jewish community. I am very excited to be working with the Forest Foundation, and I hope that I can inspire other Jewish students to be excited about promoting Judaism as well.
Me and da boys
As I arrived at International Headquarters on this lovely morning, bright eyed and bushy tailed ofcourse, I was simply an administrative assistant. Little did I know that no more than an hour later, I would be nominated to be the official daily blogger, and so, when I heard of the nomination, I accepted the opportunity with open arms.
Being a new addition to the Forest Foundation and thus looking through fresh eyes, I'm going to take this opportunity to remind all of you FF veterans, as well refresh those FF rookies out there, about how lucky you all are to be connected to such a wonderful force, through the brief recalling of an eventful day here at International Headquarters.
Besides Jordan welcoming me with lunch from time to time, which obviously puts a smile on my face, each day, I walk through the front door and into a world where problems are no obstacle, after all, Dave C. always has the answer (for real), productivity is over-flowing (you wouldn't believe how fast David F. can roll across the room in his plush business chair), and moreover, a place where I can always count on thought-provoking, sarcastically sweet antics. Who wouldn't have a smile on their face?
Really though, all who take the time to read this blog, on this particular day, should understand and appreciate the amount of passion and heart that this organization is built upon.
Thank-you, friends, for reading my blog...
*Lauren*
