Jenna Benn Shersher, the founder of Twist Out Cancer joins us on  ROI Coffee Dates. After being diagnosed with cancer, Jenna wanted to connect with others who were diagnosed and facing a similar situation. This idea led to the creation of Twist Out Cancer, an online platform where cancer patients can connect with people near and far. Twist Out Cancer has grown into a large community reaching people who have cancer, as well as their loved ones, through events, workshops and more.

In this episode, Jenna discusses her story, how she succeeded in advancing her cause, and her favorite ROI Community memories.

Learn more about Jenna by visiting the Twist Out Cancer website: www.twistoutcancer.org/.

#1 Jenna Benn Shersher – TwistOutCancer: From isolation to a thriving organization

Today we are sipping tea with Zohar Avigdori, whose passion for education is only rivaled by his passion for the stage. Zohar lives in Israel and is a member of Kibbutz Eshbal, an urban community made up of educators who are living a communal life. There are no rules. Decisions are made through dialogue, conversations and consensus. In addition to working as an educator, Zohar is a drag performer who goes by the name Zohara Platinum when performing on stage. 

Zohar's experience in an Israeli youth movement led him to become an educator. He is also a coordinator for Hechalutz, an educational center for Diaspora Jews who are visiting Israel. They focus on Zionist ideals of self-determination, responsibility, democracy and justice.

Links and Resources:
Zahara Platinum on YouTube - http://bit.ly/1Xx17U9
Zohar on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/zohar.avigdori
A Tale of Love and Darkness - http://amzn.to/1Xx18Y0

#2 Zohar Avigdori – What do kibbutzim, drag and next gen Zionism have in common? – ROI Coffee Dates

Today we are joined by Rabbi Ari Hart. He lives, breaths, and applies Jewish wisdom to all aspects of life. In our chat with Ari, we discover the connection between the shores of Greece and the crossing the of the Nile. 

Ari is a husband and father. He serves as the Associate Rabbi at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale and Director of Admissions at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School. He co-founded Uri L’Tzedek (Awaken to Justice) The Orthodox Social Justice Movement, the Jewish Muslim Volunteer Alliance, and was the founding director of the teen institute for Jewish social justice. He lives in New York with his family. 

Topics discussed today include: Today, we learn about history - global, national and personal, including some stories about Ari’s grandmother. Ari makes a compelling case for the need to take a stand for others in their time of need: There must be a Jewish response to the current refugee crisis in Greece. 

Links and Resources: 
Uri L’Tzedek: http://utzedek.org/ 
The Language of Truth: http://www.amazon.com/Language-Truth-Torah-Commentary-Sefat/dp/0827609469 

Soundbite: “The old will become new and the new will become holy.”

#3 - Ari Hart - A rabbi taking a stand for compassion without borders

Today we are joined by Stav Erez, who has achieved far-reaching recognition in the Jerusalem tech scene. She was recently listed on the Forbes 30 under 30 Israel list. She specializes in getting people excited about tech, especially young people in Israel. 
In 2012, she co-founded Siftech as a grassroots initiative which became Jerusalem’s first startup accelerator. She chose Jerusalem because it is home to some of Israel’s leading academic institutions and is filled with brilliant and creative people who want to advance business, tech, and their city. 
Topics discussed today include: 
Updates about the Jerusalem tech scene which is among the world’s fastest growing tech ecosystems;
Stav’s recommended five ingredients for developing tech on the large scale - in any city

“Events are important because they connect people” Stav Erez 
“Talking about your ideas, makes them more real” Stav Erez

#4 Stav Erez - Lessons from JLM on how to raise your city's profile

Today we are talking with Rob Schlissel, a Senior Producer at Empire Entertainment, a New York City and Tokyo based event and entertainment company. Today, we go backstage with Rob and learn a thing or two about creating something awesome while still achieving work life balance.  Some projects that Rob has worked on include The Shorty Awards, The Webby Awards, Time 100 Gala, Keep a Child Alive Black Ball, and Charity Water’s Annual Charity Ball. Rob's most well-known project was the AJWS Judd Apatow public service announcement video from 2010, in which he managed to feature over 20 celebrities. This video came about organically, but using the power of celebrity and humor, it went viral.

In this podcast, we'll discuss Empire Entertainment and the AJWS Judd Apatow Video and gain key tips on event planning, stemming from Rob's experience creating and implementing strategies for large-scale events including: Charity Water and Friday Night Lights Shabbat Dinners.

In addition, get Rob’s hacks for maintaining a work / life balance, including Shabbat observance. 


Resources:
Empire Entertainment
The Shorty Awards  
The Webby Awards
Time 100 Gala
Keep a Child Alive Black Ball
Charity Water Annual Ball
American Jewish World Service
American Jewish World Service Judd Apatow Vide
Friday Night Lights
Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh
“The shorter the message the more impact it has and the better.” Rob
“Think about what your mission is and how you can bring that to life” Rob

#5 Rob Schlissel - Event Hacks From a Planning Pro

Today we speak with Dina Buchbinder Auron. Dina is the founder and president of Education for Sharing, an organization that helps break down UN Millennium development goals into tangible activities for kids. 

Dina is originally from Mexico but now resides in Boston, MA, where she studies at Harvard University. 

Nine years ago, Dina founded the organization Sports for Sharing. Two years ago, its name change to Education for Sharing. 

The program runs for one school year, and they have worked with over 500,000 people including children, teachers and parents, from all backgrounds. The program has expanded to Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Argentina and Washington DC, as well as Mexico. 

Find out what connects dodge ball, Mexican Jewish identity and Israel in this podcast!

#6 Dina Buchbinder Auron - The Mexican Social Entrepreneur Whose Educational Model Inspires Decency

Today we are talking to Israeli designer and urban planner Nisan Almog. Nisan shares his genius, creativity and passion for social change through radical urban planning. Nisan grew up in the beach-side town of Bat Yam. He is of Persian and Libyan descent.  

Nisan began his artistic career after university though he has been creative for as long as he can recall! One of his first projects was to create four big tree-houses in a public park and that was his inspiration for his other large-scale projects with an emphasis on public spaces. 

Through his work, Nisan also seeks to address political and/or social issues and while he has projects that take form in the confines of a museum, he truly loves the outdoor public venues, where all people can come and enjoy! One of his favorite projects is cubes made from cardboard; allowing visitors to build a playground in any way they wish. 

Nisan thinks of himself and his work as a channel to encourage other people’s creativity and to allow people to be creative in very diverse environments.

#7 Nisan Almog - Dream BIG: Radical urban planning from Tel Aviv to Alaska

He lives in Argentina and is a man of the world. He blends cultures, melodies and emotions. Through his music, he elevates spirits, including the "Yiddishe neshama". Simja Dujov produces music; performs at locations around the globe; and is invested in making social change. 
He deeply cares for people and takes action to bring  sparks of happiness to those who have less opportunities due to poverty. 
A colorful and inspiring person, hear his story on this ROI Coffee Date with Elissa Krycer.

#8 Simja Dujov - Latino vibe and a Yiddishe soul

Join ROI Community Manager Elissa Krycer for inspiring short talks with ROI members from around the globe: Discover their triumphs, challenges and insights and gain some key tips on how to change the world.