Radical Transparency

We believe that organizations thrive when openness and teamwork are paramount values. Organizations that permit their employees, volunteers, partners, constituents and supporters the ability to know detailed information about themselves build trust and loyalty.

Values-based Entrepreneurship

We think that businesses operating in the nonprofit sector, and especially those with a Jewish focus, should live by the values they promote. That means working green, paying fair wages and equitable benefits, and building workplaces dedicated to respect, diversity, and inclusiveness.

Rapid Prototyping/Public Beta

We think that the collaborative process creates the best results, so rather than separating the planning and implementation of new ideas, we encourage the “get it going and tweak as you go” philosophy.

Failure as a Learning Tool

We respect failure as a powerful learning tool. Innovation is by nature a risk-tolerant endeavor, and true experimentation means learning from what doesn’t work as much as from what does. Best practices don’t exist in a vacuum: they are by definition better than other available options, and we won’t know which are which unless we try them.

Organizations as Means, not Ends

Most of the social entrepreneurs with whom we work are seeking a culture or paradigm shift and see their current organizations as just one vehicle to achieve that goal. About the best thing that their venture could achieve is to render itself unnecessary through their work. In other words, success sometimes means putting yourself out of business.

Creative Commons

We believe that creativity is cumulative, and that the more we share and adapt what we create, the exponentially greater value to all of us (as long as we do so with full attribution and recognition to the creators). See: http://creativecommons.org/ and “The End,” ©1969, Abbey Road, The Beatles.

Judaism as an Evolving Religious Civilization

We know, you’ve heard this one before, but it bears repeating in a new context. We’re now in an era when ethnic Judaism is turning into multi-ethnic Judaism. Modern Judaism is becoming a mash-up of all the various historical strains of Judaism, including some that flourished centuries ago combined with elements from all the other cultures in which Judaism has evolved. We’re witnessing a accelerated phase in the evolution of modern Judaism, and much of it has a spiritual component.

Post-denominational

Movement identification: more labels, rapidly losing meaning. The institutions of denominational Judaism still dominate the market, but individual identification with them is becoming increasingly irrelevant. We believe everyone is on a unique Jewish journey and has a right to a unique Jewish identity, without the limitations of labels, categories, and preconceptions.

Evolving Creative Relationship

The organizations that Jumpstart works with are diverse in their missions and practices, but they share many values in common. They believe it’s in the nature of innovation to test boundaries; they believe in making Judaism vibrant and relevant; and they believe that we gain strength and purpose by working together.

Permeable Judaism

Judaism might have been created by the Jews, but it isn’t just for the Jews. We think a strong Jewish community is an inclusive one – and that includes both Jews who traditionally have been marginalized in Jewish communities – as well as non-Jews and Jews-to-be who want to be part of Jewish community.

Emergent

We believe in the literal definition of emergent, which is defined as a process whose outcome is not predictable from its starting conditions. We’re on a journey to discover 21st century Judaism – and we’re comfortable not knowing where we’re going.

Jumpstart Non-discrimination Policy

It is the policy of Jewish Jumpstart not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person on the basis of age, race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, genetic condition, genetic information, medical condition, religion, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, marital status, pregnancy status (including, but not limited to, pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), or veteran status, consistent with organizational necessity and the safe performance of tasks related to the mission of Jewish Jumpstart. This policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, as well as with Jewish Jumpstart’s standards of quality and excellence. All Jewish Jumpstart directors, employees, and affiliates (including, but not limited to, independent contractors) are expected to conduct themselves in the workplace in a manner that is consistent with this policy.

In keeping with this policy, Jewish Jumpstart seeks to recruit, hire, train, and promote into available jobs the most qualified persons and to administer all operations, programs, and personnel matters (including, but not limited to, recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, merit increase, compensation, benefits, training and development, demotion, and separation) in accordance with this policy. Jewish Jumpstart is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.