Portland Jewish Events
Behind The Scenes
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Who is behind Portland Jewish Events?
Jodi Berris and friends!
Jodi moved to Portland, OR in late November, 2004 in
hopes of pursuing a career at Nike. While a temporary contract worker there,
she met some people at a Federation Jewish Bar Night in May, 2005 that inspired
her to do a 1-800-Shabbat event....an event that started with Shabbat services,
then was followed by groups of 4-8 having Shabbat dinner with a host family,
and then Jodi hosting a cocktail and dessert party for all participants that
featured kosher jello shots, among other yummy treats and drinks.
The July, 2005 event was a success and drew 76 participants
and 14 hosts families, even though Jodi didn't even know that many people
in her short stay in Portland thus far. With 3 new friends (Allison Mowday,
Meagan Hessel, and Naomi Fink) stepping up to help her on that first event,
and having a background in sports event planning and management with experience
working the 2002 Olympics/Paralympics, 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup, and 2004
JCC Maccabi Games under her belt, she decided to pursue doing another event.
Just after that first event, she was hired in to the Nike Sport Research lab.
Then she knew she'd be staying in Portland......now that she had fulfilled
her dream of getting into and working for Nike.
The second event was another 1-800-Shabbat. 2 months
later and with friends Meagan, Naomi, and now new resident Seth Feldman, they
put on the Maccabees and Microwbrews: Hannukah and Hops on Dec. 24th during
Hannukah.154 people showed that night and with a line out the door for over
an hour and being over capacity in the privately rented Tucks Brewery, Jodi
knew that this is what she would be doing in her spare time - planning and
executing Jewish events for young Jewish adults in Portland.
Since May, 2005, Jodi has lead the force with friends
Meagan, Naomi, Seth, Ben Olds, Sarah Lotstein, Lindsay Kohn, Ben Banner, and
several other volunteers to bring many club/bar parties, sports leagues, Judaic
events, meal placements for holidays, and some youth events. Some partnerships
have included working with Rosy Rosenberg to bring the Israeli Club Nite series
and Alysia Duckler to bring the Studio 54 party. On some events and projects,
Jodi plans entirely on her own, and for others, she works with her friends
and partners. All events generally follow the same fomula...targeted for Jewish
young adults (singles and couples), 21-39, they cost $10 or less per event,
are 100% strictly kosher, are accessible for all types of Jews, and are always
fun! Jodi has been called "super religious, yet super party girl".....and
with that, she has been able to attract all types of people with her multiple
event series. Event after event, they either sell out, where applicable, or
are very well attended by cool Jewish people of all backgrounds.
In 2008, Jodi expanded her programs and founded the
Moishe House - Portland at the start of the year. A few months later, she
started the Portland Maccabi Club, a youth sport club for middle and high
schoolers. At the end of the summer, she decided to bring an Oregon specific
Birthright Israel trip to the area that she will be staffing in December with
friend Ben Eder..
As she heads into 2009, and begins her second year
living at the Moishe House, she is expanding the Portland Jewish Events line
of events to reach out to the 40+ crowd. She also has some even bigger projects
she will soon release.
Portland Jewish Events runs strictly on volunteers,
including all of Jodi's time, and is funded predominantly by unsolicited donations
from people who like what she and her friends are doing. Since Jodi is a part
of both PJE and the Moishe House, some events are co-branded. It is important
to know that not all events are co-branded and that different groups of volunteers
assist with the planning and execution of the events under these 2 different
brands. Also, there are different funding sources/systems for PJE and the
Moishe House.
A little more about Jodi.....
Jodi has been fortunate to be invited to take part
in several Jewish leadership training programs and conferences. They include:
Portland Jewish Leadership Institute (Portland, OR)
- 2005-2006
Professional Leadership Project (USA) - 2007-Current
ROI 120 (Israel) - 2008
The Conversations (USA) - 2008
Wing 2008 (Europe) - 2008
When Jodi isn't traveling for work, for fun, or for
Jewish programs and conferences, she volunteers with the Portland Fire Bureau,
is a Mt. Hood Ski Patroller, works out excessively, and tries to party and
have fun as much as possible.