UpStart’s Aliza Mazor, Chief Chilanthropic Engagement Officer, shares lessons from the field in this co-authored piece for eJewish Philanthropy.
Scarcity thinking haunts the Jewish communal sector, whether it is reluctance to share resources, hesitation to open-source successful programs or fear that generosity erodes a competitive edge. But in a field often defined by proprietary ideas and protectiveness, several dozen organizations recently dared to ask: What if innovation wasn’t something to protect, but something to share?
Last month, more than 1,300 Jewish community professionals gathered at JPro2025, co-hosted by Leading Edge and the Jewish Federations of North America. Amid the learning and networking, Leading Edge and JFNA partnered with UpStart to create Steal This, a joyful, open-source innovation showcase where 28 organizations pulled back the curtain on their best ideas and said, Go ahead: take them, adapt them, make them your own.
Our purpose is to enable entrepreneurs to bring bold Jewish ideas to light. We help them reach Up to people in new ways that are meaningful, more inclusive, and create a brighter future for our Jewish community and the world we share.
