What can I do to create change in the world? Jenni Wolfson answered that question and more by joining the UN and moving to Rwanda to live and work for three years. Upon leaving the UN, Jenni joined WITNESS as their Managing Director. Jenni’s one-woman play Rash, which premieres in NYC this November, tells the story of her human rights work in Rwanda to help change the lives of the people after years of genocide. Jenni got involved in human rights when she was a young woman living in a tight-knit Jewish community in Scotland. After an anti-Semitic slur was hurled at her in primary school and learning about the Holocaust Jenni realized that she could have easily been one of the millions of Jews that lost their lives.
Jenni, NYC’s latest Meet the Change presenter, talked to a group of young men and women at Meet the Change this past Monday in a historical house of poetry nestled in the East Village. The participants not only saw an excerpt of Rash but, also had the opportunity to talk with Jenni about ways to implement changes in the lives of others.
Pursue asked the Meet the Change attendees to explain what networking means to them and the overwhelming response was, “Networking is empowering.” While it can be awkward to go to events alone and chat up perfect strangers, I know that in order to implement change, I need a community of people to help. Jenni gave the group three pieces of networking advice that I would like to share with you.
- Take Leaps of Faith. Handing out business cards is hard, applying for jobs you’re not sure you’re qualified for is difficult, going to events without a wingman is nerve-wracking. Without taking these leaps of faith, without doing what seems impossible or difficult, you will never make the necessary connections to get your ideas or work off the ground.
- Take Your Network With You. Wherever you go, make sure to take your network with you. Stay connected and pass your network on to your organizations. As much as we’d like to think we can go it alone, we know that support from organizations and corporations are necessary. When you bring your network with you and when you pass your network along to others, the web of connectivity stays strong.
- Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone. Limiting yourself to what feels comfortable and what you’re used to will not strengthen your network-it can actually weaken it. A tapestry is never made with a single thread; the same goes for creating a solid network.
In order to create change in the world we need a network of supporters behind us. In order to create that network we need to take the first steps to having our voice heard. I not only left the Nuyorican Poet Cafe with the e-mail addresses of four movers and shakers, but a clear perspective of the importance of networking in order to create change. Creating diverse Jewish communities is what I’m passionate about, and having a network of people who share that passion will enable those changes to happen.
Jenni Wolfson’s play Rash will be playing at the St. Marks Theater at the All For One Festival on November 13th and 20th. If you’d like to be a part of the next Meet The Change, be sure to add your name to our New York e-mail list, at the top of this page.
Erika is the Temporary Program Associate for Pursue. She also works as a freelance writer for Sh’ma, Jewcy, and Tribe Vibe while maintaining her personal blog Black, Gay and Jewish. Erika is a volunteer with Be’chol Lashon and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice.
