Social Entrepreneurs Jump in the Shark Tank

Social Entrepreneurship with Jewish Values 

What an incredible afternoon our 6th graders had at the Brandeis Marin Social Entrepreneurship Demonstration Day, the culmination of two months of challenging and thoughtful work. At Wednesday's Demo Day, our 6th Grade startup teams stood before a full house of parents, teachers, and classmates and pitched their socially responsible products to an impressive (yet friendly) panel of 'sharks'. The sharks (Brandeis parents joined by alum Yoela Palkin) offered constructive and supportive feedback after each presentation. We witnessed the very first Brandeis Marin Shark Tank event!

As this social entrepreneurship program was a key part of the 6th grade Jewish Studies program, our students were committed to integrating Jewish values into their startups' missions and products, and in particular, the three core values of Brandeis Marin: ometz lev (integrity), chesed (kindness), and tikkun olam (service). 

A few innovations the students pitched included products designed to alleviate anxiety and depression, house and feed people experiencing homelessness, provide fire prevention in wooded communities, assist and entertain bedridden patients, and help care for beloved pets. Our core values were evident in every presentation shared with us!

In this entrepreneurship for social change project, our 6th graders engaged in the highest quality project-based learning, gaining tremendous experience in collaborating, research, conflict resolution, learning new concepts, designing presentations, and public speaking. We may have provided the spark to launch the next generation of social entrepreneurs grounded in the Jewish values that guide Brandeis Marin and Jewish communities worldwide.

Stephen Riave
Middle School Jewish Studies & English Teacher

We invite you to see some photos from Wednesday's 'Shark Tank' here, and view Peg's closing remarks here

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