On a cold October morning over breakfast, Rabbi Benay Lappe and Irene Lehrer Sandalow dreamed of the possibilities for a collaborative home for Jewish organizations to build and deepen relationships. They talked about forming a workspace community that would support Jewish nonprofits, provide a welcoming space for organizations to host programs, meetings, or a beit midrash (house of study), and provide a hub for Jewish conversations.
As a follow-up to this conversation, in November of 2015, Irene and Rabbi Lappe convened a meeting of professionals leading innovative Jewish organizations in Chicago. This first meeting clarified a real need and interest in exploring the possibility of creating a coworking space for Jewish nonprofits in the city of Chicago. As a follow-up to this meeting, an anonymous foundation provided a collaborative group of seven Jewish nonprofits a matching grant to engage in a feasibility study to be conducted by the Nonprofit Centers Network.
Since January 2016, the core group of anchor organizations has met regularly to develop the vision for SketchPad and has begun the planning for implementation. This initiative is currently being convened by Irene, a board member of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs and SVARA. Through a JUF Breakthrough Fund grant, Irene was hired in July 2016 as the project director for SketchPad.
As a follow-up to this conversation, in November of 2015, Irene and Rabbi Lappe convened a meeting of professionals leading innovative Jewish organizations in Chicago. This first meeting clarified a real need and interest in exploring the possibility of creating a coworking space for Jewish nonprofits in the city of Chicago. As a follow-up to this meeting, an anonymous foundation provided a collaborative group of seven Jewish nonprofits a matching grant to engage in a feasibility study to be conducted by the Nonprofit Centers Network.
Since January 2016, the core group of anchor organizations has met regularly to develop the vision for SketchPad and has begun the planning for implementation. This initiative is currently being convened by Irene, a board member of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs and SVARA. Through a JUF Breakthrough Fund grant, Irene was hired in July 2016 as the project director for SketchPad.
Anchor Organizations
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Partner Organizations
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