December 10, 2009

In November 2007, I had the distinct honor of representing the Jewish innovation sector in a plenary speech at the General Assembly of what was then called the United Jewish Communities. During my presentation in Nashville before 3,000 Jewish nonprofit professionals and board members, I made allusion to the fact that the expectations of existing incubators and social entrepreneur fellowships were perhaps outside the reach of many young social innovators eager to make an impact within the American and global Jewish communities. I therefore encouraged the creation of ever more opportunities for Jewish social entrepreneurs, insisting on the need for more programs like Bikkurim across the country that provide more accessibility and flexibility than offered by even Bikkurim itself.

The efforts to hold Holocaust perpetrators accountable are indeed in their final phase. Still, with legal action of various forms having been taken recently against four of the 10 Nazi war criminals on the Wiesenthal Center\’s \”Most Wanted‚\” list, it seems clear that the push for justice will continue — and register more victories than initially expected.