LaunchBox named Next Big Jewish Idea

(JTA) — Batsheva Frankel and her LaunchBox won the Next Big Jewish Idea contest put on by the Los Angeles-area federation.

On Wednesday, the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles announced the winner of its extensive search for a project to strengthen and benefit the greater Los Angeles Jewish community. 

More than 350 ideas were submitted, with five finalists chosen by popular vote and another five selected by the panel of judges who ultimately selected the winning idea. More than 100,000 votes were cast during the search.

Frankel, of Los Angeles, will receive up to $100,000 in funding plus in-kind services from the L.A. federation to turn her LaunchBox concept into reality.

LaunchBox aims to engage more Los Angeles-area Jews to begin or increase incorporating Jewish traditions and rituals as part of their lives via interactive boxes delivered to homes. The boxes will be filled with activities, materials and links to online resources that will serve as “Nourishment for the Jewish soul.”

“I am very excited about the possibility of connecting so many people to this innovative Jewish experience," Frankel said. "The Federation is helping make my dream come true.” 

The Next Big Jewish Idea is part of the L.A. federation’s centennial year celebrations.

“The Next Big Jewish Idea is an enormous success because it created a community conversation about what our shared Jewish future could look like,” said Jay Sanderson, the federation’s president. “We are thrilled with the potential LaunchBox has to engage the unaffiliated members of our community, as well as those who are more active. It fits perfectly into our Federation’s vision to make Jewish life more accessible and affordable, as well as our overall mission of ensuring a strong and vibrant Jewish future.”