Source: The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles recently announced that the winner of its Next Big Jewish Idea contest is local high school teacher Batsheva Frankel -- for her "Launchbox" concept. Frankel’s winning idea is to create kits filled with thematic and holiday-based activities, educational materials and links to online content on Judaism, which will be mailed to area households. Frankel will receive $100,000 in funding to develop her idea with the help of federation staff.
The goal of LaunchBox is to engage more community members in L.A. to begin or increase incorporating Jewish traditions and rituals as part of their lives via interactive boxes delivered to their homes. The boxes will be filled with fun activities, materials and links to online resources that will serve as “Nourishment for the Jewish soul.” The Launchbox, Frankel said, will help people “not just be Jewish, but do Jewish.”
“We are thrilled with the potential LaunchBox has to engage the unaffiliated members of our community, as well as those who are more active. It fits perfectly into our Federation’s vision to make Jewish life more accessible and affordable, as well as our overall mission of ensuring a strong and vibrant Jewish future,” said Jay Sanderson, President of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.
The contest was launched in January to coincide with the Los Angeles federation’s centennial. Over 350 ideas were submitted, with five finalists being chosen by popular vote, and an additional five selected by an external panel of judges who ultimately selected the winning idea. Over 100,000 votes were cast during the search!