Welcome to the Founders Blog, the on-occasion/monthly/whenever-exciting-things-happen Shoresh progress report.
Four years ago, I shared this crazy idea for a coffee shop that was also a Jewish gathering and learning space with my friend Ram, a free-spirited entrepreneurial guru. And Ram said the most profound thing: "Once you have an idea like this, you won't stop thinking about it until you do it."
Well, we're doing it.
To date, we've filed our 501c3 paperwork and had it approved; we've received our official non-profit tax designation from the IRS; we've written and revised (and revised, and revised) our business plan. We've received our first grant from a Donor Advised Fund; we've sent out several grant applications; we've begun planning our first community-fundraising appeal. We've started a bank account; and created a budget.
And three recent developments are particularly exciting. In January, we officially added a co-founder and second staff person to the Shoresh staff. Frances Lasday is a skilled community organizer and a brilliant and thoughtful partner with vision and commitment. I'm so lucky to be able to work with her on our shared vision of a space in the Pittsburgh Jewish community that really appeals to folks that are looking for something a little more un-traditional, a little more open than your average establishment Jewish institutional offering.
In February, we added our first board member, Dr. Rachel Kranson. Rachel is the perfect blend (I will try not to make too many subtle coffee puns) of committed member of Pittsburgh's Jewish community and incisive observer of historical and sociological trends in the American Jewish community.
And this month, we're excited to begin touring potential locations for the coffee shop. We have a real estate agent and a few sites in mind, and we feel really good about the likely of finding *the perfect* spot.
I'll keep updating the blog regularly; as they say 'keep an eye on this space.'
Things are happening with Shoresh PGH. We couldn't be more excited to keep you in mind as we continue to lay down 'roots'.
Four years ago, I shared this crazy idea for a coffee shop that was also a Jewish gathering and learning space with my friend Ram, a free-spirited entrepreneurial guru. And Ram said the most profound thing: "Once you have an idea like this, you won't stop thinking about it until you do it."
Well, we're doing it.
To date, we've filed our 501c3 paperwork and had it approved; we've received our official non-profit tax designation from the IRS; we've written and revised (and revised, and revised) our business plan. We've received our first grant from a Donor Advised Fund; we've sent out several grant applications; we've begun planning our first community-fundraising appeal. We've started a bank account; and created a budget.
And three recent developments are particularly exciting. In January, we officially added a co-founder and second staff person to the Shoresh staff. Frances Lasday is a skilled community organizer and a brilliant and thoughtful partner with vision and commitment. I'm so lucky to be able to work with her on our shared vision of a space in the Pittsburgh Jewish community that really appeals to folks that are looking for something a little more un-traditional, a little more open than your average establishment Jewish institutional offering.
In February, we added our first board member, Dr. Rachel Kranson. Rachel is the perfect blend (I will try not to make too many subtle coffee puns) of committed member of Pittsburgh's Jewish community and incisive observer of historical and sociological trends in the American Jewish community.
And this month, we're excited to begin touring potential locations for the coffee shop. We have a real estate agent and a few sites in mind, and we feel really good about the likely of finding *the perfect* spot.
I'll keep updating the blog regularly; as they say 'keep an eye on this space.'
Things are happening with Shoresh PGH. We couldn't be more excited to keep you in mind as we continue to lay down 'roots'.
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