When you first hear the name “NextGen Engagement Initiative” you might assume that this program is like many other community programs designed to engage Jewish young adults – involving massive parties, or gatherings around Jewish food, holidays and culture. But NEI is something different. It operates on a more “micro” level, strengthening a population that’s classically underserved – Jewish professionals who are working in smaller community organizations to engage L.A. Jews in their 20s and 30s.
Through NEI, a partnership between Jewish Federation Los Angeles and the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles through their Cutting Edge grants program, our Federation convenes a network that meets regularly – in-person and virtually – for peer support, expert guidance and professional development. Part of this small-but-mighty program is the NEI Microgrants initiative. Running since 2009, NEI Microgrants have provided small grants ($1-5K) for programs ranging from Chanukah parties to a food justice lecture series. Only NEI network members in-good-standing are permitted to apply, and programs must represent collaborations or partnerships between two or more NEI network organizations. (Once that requirement is met, the program’s partners may, and are encouraged to, collaborate with organizations outside the network.)
NEI Microgrants are sponsoring the following programs in 2013:
- Artists’ Community Retreat (LimmudLA, partnering with Six Points Fellowship, East Side Jews, Silverlake Independent JCC, NuArt, JQ International and Reboot) – A retreat on the East Side of Los Angeles to gather those who are involved in Jewish arts and culture work for networking and focused discussion. (held January 2013)
- SEDER Art Microgrant Initiative (NuArt, Federation’s Birthright Israel Experience, and others TBD) – A meal-based initiative committed to creating a path for rethinking how contemporary Jewish art and culture is financed and experienced communally. Participants come for a meal and presentations by Jewish artists, vote on their favorites, and the winning artist receives a microgrant of funds generated by the admission price.
- Shul Crawl (Silverlake Independent JCC/East Side Jews and 9 local synagogues) – A series of organized outings to different area synagogues. Participants will also be provided with a specially-designed program packet of materials about Jewish customs.
- LGBT and Ally Birthright Trip, Summer 2013 (JQ International and Birthright Israel) – The first Federation-sponsored Birthright Israel trip designed for GLBTQ and allies. This grant supports targeted marketing and student internships to recruit for and to promote the trip.
- Jewish Film Festival (Sinai Temple-ATID and American Friends of Tel Aviv University) – Programming at the Jewish Film Festival targeting young adults, including a special workshop with invited industry speakers.
The message of the NEI Microgrants initiative, as well as the NEI network as a whole, is that we are stronger together than we are independently, and that each individual in this crowd of professionals has wisdom and experience to share that can strengthen individual and collective efforts and help us work through our challenges. By knowing each others’ faces, projects and passions, we are inspired to collaborate and feel the support of community.
NEI is part of The Jewish Federation’s commitment to engaging young adults in ways that are relevant, innovative and meaningful. If you are a Jewish professional whose work centers on 20s and 30s engagement in Los Angeles and would like to learn more about NEI, contact NEI@JewishLA.org.
