Leadership

Inspired by the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), CESI was founded in the San Francisco Bay Area to connect future generations of entrepreneurs and change makers to the values inherent in their Jewish heritage. The program takes students in grades six through twelve through the process of ideating and planning a company, with a focus on social impact. Along the way, the curriculum covers leadership, entrepreneurial skills, and Jewish values, while empowering the students to create the changes they want to see in the world.

Real World Problems

Students in our programs focus on real world problems through the lens of the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Tzedakah (righteous support for those in need). Past projects have focused on stress, dyslexia, mental health, affordable footwear, water conservation, and human trafficking.

Join the Cause

Practical Life Skills

Students learn how to look at problems through an entrepreneurial lens to find the best opportunity for change. Classes focus on finding the "right" problem, market research, pitching, marketing, building and testing prototypes, fundraising, and measuring social impact. By the time the students pitch their final project, they have learned more than how to start a company. They have learned how to solve a problem.

Find Your Opportunity

A Turnkey Program

The program begins with a two-day boot camp led by one of our facilitators where the students begin their brainstorming, and learn about innovation and startup ideology. Throughout the semseter long program, we offer a curriculum that includes 18 lesson plans, 18 slide deck presentations, and many student activities leading to a final pitch of their project. To include your community, we also include a schedule for inviting mentors, speakers, and judges; complete with drafts of sample invitations, follow up, and thank you notes.

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Jewish Values

Israel is a startup nation and the entrepreneurial spirit is baked into our DNA. We believe that sharing that spirit with the next generations is a mitzvah and a vital piece of giving our children the tools they will need to repair our world (Tikkun Olam).

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Jewish Values in Practice

"Real change, enduring change happens one step at a time."

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg,

Supreme Court Justice

"If you're changing the world, you're working on important things. You're excited to get up in the morning."

Larry Page, founder of Google

“I grew up in a tradition where having ideas and contributing to the community and creating art that had an impact on the world mattered. That’s part of the Jewish tradition.”