Meet Becky Adelberg
I am a community builder. From an early age I was exposed to various
sides of Judaism– my experiences include growing up in South Africa in a
close knit Jewish community until the age of 8, to moving to Chicago
and attending Solomon Schechter Conservative day school, to being
involved with a labor Zionist youth movement, Habonim Dror for 12 years,
followed by an Orthodox high school, Ida Crown, as well as the daughter
of a Rabbi at a post denominational synagogue. I studied Communications
in my undergraduate degree at the University of Kansas, focusing on
journalism, public speaking and religious studies and a few years later
pursued a Dual Masters Degree in Jewish Studies and Education, with an
emphasis on spirituality. I have been working in the Jewish communal
world for eleven years and also started a nonprofit during that time. In
addition, I have been an educator in variety of capacities, from
informal educator to Adjunct Professor. I attribute the first time I
went to Israel as being one of the most influential times in my life and
planting the seed for what has continued to inspire me throughout the
years- connecting people, bringing people together, giving people a
further sense of meaning, helping build community- especially doing this
through a Jewish lens. Being a part of such a wide spectrum of the
Jewish world, I am able to relate to people from a diversity of
backgrounds- from the most observant to the unaffiliated to the wanderer
to the convert. I am a dedicated, action driven individual. My other
passions include yoga, writing, nature, photography and celebrating
life.
When Jewish organizations plan an event, often times they unintentionally waste many resources such as time and finances. Speakers are flown in because they are unsure what is available to them. Community Connections, is a program management service in which Jewish organizations can create meaningful, tailor-made programming for their institution on an event-by-event basis by using local experts. When Jewish organizations wish to develop an event or program, they do not need to use outside resources who do not necessarily understand the needs of their organization. Community Connections will provide one-stop shopping for the organization to design, organize strategically and implement workshops, lectures, Shabbat experiences, classes or retreats. Community Connections will be the place to go to connect the educator with the institutions and vice versa. For this venture to be successful, it will be essential that Community Connections be staffed by individuals with excellent programming and organizational skills, an understanding of the organization’s needs, who have either deep connections in the Jewish community, a strong base of Jewish education, varied Jewish backgrounds and/or focuses of expertise (environment, social justice, spirituality, community building, interfaith, arts and more). Eventually models similar to this one in Chicago will be launched in various cities in Jewish communities through North America and potentially the world.
When Jewish organizations plan an event, often times they unintentionally waste many resources such as time and finances. Speakers are flown in because they are unsure what is available to them. Community Connections, is a program management service in which Jewish organizations can create meaningful, tailor-made programming for their institution on an event-by-event basis by using local experts. When Jewish organizations wish to develop an event or program, they do not need to use outside resources who do not necessarily understand the needs of their organization. Community Connections will provide one-stop shopping for the organization to design, organize strategically and implement workshops, lectures, Shabbat experiences, classes or retreats. Community Connections will be the place to go to connect the educator with the institutions and vice versa. For this venture to be successful, it will be essential that Community Connections be staffed by individuals with excellent programming and organizational skills, an understanding of the organization’s needs, who have either deep connections in the Jewish community, a strong base of Jewish education, varied Jewish backgrounds and/or focuses of expertise (environment, social justice, spirituality, community building, interfaith, arts and more). Eventually models similar to this one in Chicago will be launched in various cities in Jewish communities through North America and potentially the world.
