The Bridging Connections Podcast

The Bridging Connections Podcast showcases the organizations and leaders in the Jewish community who are reinventing and reinvigorating Jewish life. In the podcasts, you will hear about the organizations and individuals innovating and impacting the Jewish community in North American and how you can participate. They will share their stories and tips on how they are engaging people in the richness of Judaism. The Bridging Connections Podcast is a project of Bridges 613 which introduces and connects you to vibrancy and innovation in Jewish life through a variety of Jewish resources. Bridges 613 is a concierge for your individualized and relatable Jewish experience.

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Episodes

Episode 9: Kahal Abroad / Part 2

Welcome back to the continuation of the podcast featuring Kahal. During part 2, Alex and I discuss fundraising and steps in starting up a new organization. Alex also tell us about exciting up-and-coming organizations. We conclude with Alex’s future vision for Kahal. In the future, Kahal hopes to become a center for Jewish community and exchange. Alex feels that Kahal can create a feeling of unity in the Jewish community globally. Kahal is making a big Jewish community feel smaller. Alex conclude...

Oct 02, 2020•23 min•Season 1Ep. 9

Kahal Abroad / Part 1

“I was looking to feel like people cared about me, that I am a part of something bigger than myself, deeper than myself and more important in many ways,” explains Alex Jacubowski about seeking connections in Jewish communities while studying and traveling abroad. Alex’s life experiences led him to deep sense of connection to Jewish tradition. His grandparents, holocaust survivors, shaped his passion to help preserve Jewish peoplehood. Alex created Jewish experiences for himself and other Jewish ...

Sep 25, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema

“Film is an art, a starting point to conversation,” says Cindy Stern, executive director of the Chicago Festival of Israeli Cinema (CFIC). The film festival showcases current events, and trends in Israel. It creates connection to Israel providing entry points to understanding its complex culture. Cindy has worked with the CFIC since 2010. She previously worked for an award-winning adverting agency. There she served as the creative director, writer and broadcast producer. Cindy was born in Hollyw...

Aug 07, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Chabad of Naperville

What makes a neighborhood Jewish? The number of synagogues in the area? Kosher restaurants? Jewish community centers, Jewish schools? The western suburbs of Chicago have never been considered a mecca of Jewish life. Let’s put things in perspective. Naperville, Illinois, populations 149,000, is a suburb west of Chicago. There are about 300 Jews (about .2%). According to Wikipedia, Jews make up about 2.3% of the population of Illinois 2.1% of the United States. There are 4 synagogues in a ten mile...

Jul 17, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Rebecca Joey Schwab, Co-founder & Executive Director of ChiTribe

This Episode showcases ChiTribe, co-founded by Rebecca Joey Schwab and Sam Gelt-Sheftel. Rebecca and Sam launched ChiTribe in August 2018. Wow! Has it grown! During this podcast, you will meet Rebecca Joey Schwab. I got to know Rebecca in November 2018 when Chi Tribe was only a few months old. I am impressed with Rebecca’s passion to make Jewish life more accessible. Originally, ChiTribe was created to support those in the Jewish community in their 20’s. Rebecca and Sam realized that the need wa...

Jun 18, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 5

SketchPad Chicago

“When we collaborate, when we bring a group of passionate, creative, dedicated Jewish professionals together, we can change the world,” says Irene Sandalow, Executive Director of SketchPad Chicago. This podcast shows how much is accomplished when the Jewish community organizes. Irene saw a need in the Jewish community and acted on it. She recognized that working from home wasn't enough for her. She devoted her efforts to taking Jewish values into the public sphere. She details the process of cre...

Jun 05, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Becky Adelberg, Founder of Community Connect

“Take this vision and Bring it to life” is the tag line of Community Connect Consultants . My guest today, Becky Adelberg, the Founder of Community Connect. She has a variety of experience working in the Jewish community. She is currently the Chicago Manager of Reboot. During her career Becky has worked to engage young adults. A few of the organizations she’s worked for are The JCC Chicago, 20’s & 30’s Division, American Zionist Movement, Chicago Division, Jewish Women’s International. She i...

May 21, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Passover Possibilities in Pandemic Times

On this episode, Elizabeth Gossage and Brianna Greenspan showcase four organizations and the resources they have developed for this year's Passover during a pandemic. Introducing the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, 18 Doors , Jewbelong , and The Jewish Emergent Network . Support the show Thank you for tuning in to The Bridging Connections podcast. Please partner with us to promote this important work. Follow us on Facebook , Instagram or visit our website at www.bridges613.org for exciting ne...

Apr 08, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 2

The Perfect Time to Premier

Sheltering at home has helped me to realize the great need for connection to each other. This pandemic is the perfect time to introduce Bridges 613 and start regular podcasts. The main reason for Bridges 613 is to dispel the concerns that the American Jewish community is at risk. I recall the strong response in the community when the Pew Report came out in 2013. The Report concluded that Jewish Millennials aren't joining Jewish institutions and synagogue. It also noted that, despite everything, ...

Apr 01, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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