General

There’s Much "The Land" Can Learn from the Holy Land

A trip to Israel, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, was eye opening and life changing.

 By Joe Cimperman

Last week, a group of non-profit leaders, through the insight and support of Tom and Joan Adler and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, learned about a most beautiful, historic, epic, spirit filled, and complicated place called Israel.

This visit was a first for me and for many of the luminaries on the experience. As a native Clevelander raised in a very Roman Catholic home, I read and prepared and inquired as much as I could to be ready for this. But let’s be straightforward – no amount of books or conversations can adequately prepare you for the sacred land where Islam, Christianity, and Judaism blossomed. No amount of white papers or blogs or Facebook posts can prepare you for the meaning of Israeli entrepreneurialism, national get up and go, or semi-regional cooperation like the work ongoing on the Israeli-Jordanian border. And as many interviews and meetings and phone/text message chains as I initiated, nothing, absolutely nothing prepared me for the wide, deep, million miles traveled roads between The Holy Land (Israel) and The Land (Cleveland).

We landed in Tel Aviv, and through the kindness and connectedness of Elie Weiss we went on a block by block by block graffiti tour of this amazing city – a city whose name means The Old New Land. So much of Tel Aviv history and present time was painted in doorways, alleyways, and canvasses large and small throughout. The poignant, hilarious, sad, inspiring, joyful, and enduring images of this city and Israel were all around us. The one piece that burns still in my memory was the illustrated depiction of the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. You cannot shake the haunting image of what was in one moment the closest and furthest from peace that this great land experienced.

We met with the leadership from the LGBTQI Center in Tel Aviv, thanks to Gregg Levine and John Corlett. In true open door, open welcome, judgment -of -no -one- so- prevalent- in -this -community fashion, youth from all over and every faith (EVERY FAITH) are given support as they need it. We were welcomed as sisters and brothers and talked about the Cleveland Tel Aviv connections from the International Gay Games we hosted here in Northeast Ohio. And to travel to Jaffa and see the intersections of faith and commerce in one of the oldest ports in the world was a real lesson in history.

Ancient civilizations came to a head here: Roman, Greek, Judaic, Ottoman empires all have fingerprints on these ancient stones. The market in Tel Aviv reminded me so much of our own West Side Market, and the wall breaking, bridge building nature of sharing food is a universal truth. And then. And then we traveled to a magical place called Kiryat Gat, where the Jewish Federation of Cleveland supports the growing Ethiopian Israeli community. I was blown away. These ancient, beautiful, persecuted and resilient people are welcomed everyday and supported as they fulfill millennia dreams of return. The dance, music, FOOD, and deep civic and civil society building is made possible by generous support from Northeast Ohio’s Jewish community.

These connections are real, they are important and they are two-way streets. And the Jewish Federation of Cleveland is right there.

We then traveled to the Sea of Galilee, and for the first times among many on this journey I was speechless. To be where Jesus spoke of the Beatitudes was soulful and wondrous.

When we visited with the Kibbutz Nir David, we had the distinct privilege of meeting with our adopted sister city, Beit Shean--Valley of Springs. The similarities between our people were apparent from the beginning: gritty, multi-cultural, resilient, searching, pride without arrogance, civic responsibility and looking for a way forward.

I kept thinking about the work of Destination Cleveland and how we took our greatest assets and amplified them. The Kurdish Jewish community hosted us for the evening, and from the Cuyahoga to the River Jordan, we felt the connection. The connection this community has with my home community, the St. Clair Superior community, is also real. It is important. It is a two-way street. And the Jewish Federation of Cleveland is right there.

We then visited three places that work collaboratively, strategically, thoughtfully and beautifully EVERY SINGLE DAY.

1. Havat Hashomer: an IDF army base that specifically works to re-integrate youth who have made mistakes, and creates a path for them to live lives of meaning and thrive in their second chances.  Can you imagine this program here? Working with the future by meeting them where they are. Meeting the leader, Samuel, was a moment I will never forget. His charisma and emotional/human intelligence was unlike anything I've ever seen. And every one of his commanders is a woman. A group of boys who made a mistake, being given the chance to come back, aided and led and directed in their journey by young women. This is how societies thrive. And the Jewish Federation of Cleveland is right there.
2. The Jerusalem Foundation: "Jerusalem is a complicated city that needs to care for its diverse residents." Amen. No truer words were ever spoken.

This organization programs specific events that invite and include and bring together Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze, Bedouin citizens and they are making real progress. From shared meals to community meetings to real opportunities for employment and empowerment. All of this, so Holy Jerusalem, the birth city of Judaism, Christianity and Islam can thrive together. And it's not easy. And it's real and important. And the Jewish Federation of Cleveland is right there.

3. Meeting with Shadi Abu Jaber, the Palestinian Director of the Youth Futures program in East Jerusalem: this was a moving experience along the lines of Samuel from Havat Hashomer. Shadi said ten years ago he viewed Israel very differently than the view he held five years ago. Five years ago his kids were born, and he wants a better future for the Palestinian kids of Israel and the Jewish kids of Israel. He does this by tutoring, mentoring, hosting soccer tournaments for Arab Israeli students. And in this is the most sacred part of any holy city -- how to make tomorrow better for our children's children. These children who may come from different places and faiths and neighborhoods, find common ground, and Shadi inspires community engagement. And the Jewish Federation of Cleveland is right there. This work = real. This work = most important.

I will be meditating on this journey for the rest of my life. We as a group will continue this dialogue. With the goodness and guidance of Steve Hoffman, Oren Baratz, Jessica Cohen, Kelly Rubanenko, Elie Weiss and Cheryl Davis and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland  this experience w ill continue to be real for the people who went on this journey and for the people who have yet to return. And we will all take up the mantel of building more two-way bridges and travelling more on the bridges already built.

But make no mistake, none of us travel to the City of Gold, the Holy Jerusalem. We follow in the words of the great Yiddish Poet Yitzchak Yasinowitz:

“One does not travel to Jerusalem. One returns. One ascends the road taken by generations, the path of longing on the way to redemption. One brings rucksacks stuffed with memories to each mountain each hill. IN THE COBBLED ALLEYWAYS ONE OFFERS A BLESSING FOR THE MEMORIES IN THE PAST WHICH HAVE BEEN RENEWED. ONE  DOES  NOT  TRAVEL  TO  JERUSALEM.  ONE RETURNS.”

This is real. This is important. Let us return as one Cleveland, one Cuyahoga County, one Northeastern Ohio, a diverse and united community, TOGETHER.

by Global Cleveland

The Displaced Persons Response Presents "No Place Like Home" REAP the Benefit

In 2010 the Displaced Persons Response was established. Since inception the organization has been able to provide unique and important services to Cleveland’s new neighbors allowing children and families to excel in school and in life. Displaced Personss resettled to Cleveland do better on average than those who resettle in other areas of the country. They work and they overwhelmingly give back to the city, making the most of the investment Cleveland places in them. The strength of organizations such as Catholic Charities, USCRI, Global Cleveland and US Together in providing critical support has allowed these families to make Cleveland their home. Coordination through the Displaced Persons Services Collaborative which include health care and education providers has allowed for an unparalleled sophistication of support.

The Displaced Persons Response provides a fourteen month long program of targeted support in education and employment training so that families can be safe and secure in the long term. These programs are critical to both the short and long term economic success and the social and emotional assimilation of our region’s newest community members. This support allows families to have the time and the opportunity to make Cleveland their home and to become engaged citizens of our community.

Our annual benefit this year is on Saturday, August 26th, 2017 for a summer evening at our nation's largest urban farm, the Ohio City Farm, overlooking our lakefront city skyline. Enjoy exciting culinary experiences from Cleveland's premiere chefs using produce from the farm. The evening will feature live performances from Opus 216 and the Lucky Ones, seasonal tastings from 18 of Cleveland's finest restaurants and caterers, farm tours, cocktails, the Cleveland Culinary Experience Raffle and much more.

The benefit this year is entitled "No Place Like Home." Through this event we will highlight the unique and valuable resources of this city we call home, and where so many of these new families hope to build a new home. We also want to underscore that fact that a Displaced Persons camp, where so many of these new families have just come from, is in fact, no place like home. Please join this most special evening with us and celebrate the diverse and wonderful place that is Cleveland.

For more details, please visit: https://www.Displaced Personsresponse.org/benefit

by Global Cleveland

My Migration Story

How I met my wife, fell in love and got my green card. Thanks America!

By Neil Singh

I am not new to the Migration process. My parents migrated from the Island of Fiji in the Pacific to Australia when I was two and then eventually to New Zealand, where they settled. As a result, I spent nearly 34 years of my life in the trans-Tasman or Australasian circle, with the majority of that time in New Zealand, where my family adopted citizenship in the late 1990’s.

Today, people worldwide are able to communicate with relative ease using the Internet. In my case, online games led to me meeting my wife, Kristen, in 2014. With me in New Zealand and Kristen in Cleveland, there were definitely challenges we both had to accept in forming our relationship. It took more than two years of letter writing, video conferencing and communication for us to establish that we were right for each other and that it was time for us to move forward and test the tangibility of our relationship.

In September of 2016, I decided that it was time to take action and visit the USA. At first, I spent much time, many months in fact, researching my best options for coming here. New Zealand happens to be one of the few lucky countries that shares a Visa Waiver program with the U.S. New Zealanders can visit for up to 90 days without a visa.

So I opted to visit the U.S. by applying for a visa waiver, not knowing what to expect when meeting Kristen. I booked my plane tickets with a return date to New Zealand within the 90-days allowance. I figured if our relationship was indeed genuine, as it seemed then, living together as a couple for three months days would certainly validate it.

I arrived in Texas from Auckland on December 26, the day after Christmas. Two months later, Kristen and I decided it was time to make a serious commitment.

Because neither of us knew the Migration process very well, we looked online thinking that we could follow the typical Fiancée Visa application and change my status from a tourist on a visa waiver to a fiancée of an American citizen. That would have been a mistake.

That process would have required me to return to New Zealand once my travel visa ended and then wait nearly 18 months to be reviewed, interviewed and processed by the U.S. Embassy in Australia. The last thing I wanted to do was to go back without knowing when I could see my loved one again.

Global Cleveland referred me to Erin Brown, who operates an Migration law firm in Cleveland.  Erin was candid. She asked me whether I wanted to stay here or not and what steps was I prepared to take to make it possible.

My goal was a Permanent Resident card, also know as a Green Card because it once was green. As a Legal Permanent Resident, or LPR, I would be allowed to live and work permanently in the United States and could apply for citizenship down the road.

The staff at Global Cleveland provided me with guidance and support at this challenging time when my Migration status was in limbo and often I did not know what to do.  Wenzhu Sun was especially helpful. She had gone through the same process to be with her husband, who is from Cleveland. She explained to me how things worked and constantly reminded me to stay positive.

So I visited Erin Brown and discussed my case. Erin outlined the fees and the conditions of the application in a contract and confronted me with a decision earlier than I expected. She advised that we should get married and file a new application with U.S. Citizenship and Migration Services.

On the 13^th of March, 2017, Kristen and I got married. I returned to Erin, who then guided me through the Migration process step by step. We had to submit the following documents to USCIS:

• I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
• I-485 Application to Adjust Status
• I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
• I-131 Application for Advanced Parole
• G-325 for Petitioner and Beneficiary (enclosed within the I-130)
• I-864 Affidavit of Support from petitioner and co-sponsor
• I-94 Admission Record
• A sealed medical examination conducted by USCIS approved clinics
• Birth certificates and passports

It was a lot of paper work, and each step of the process took time. We filed in March. It took four months for USCIS to process the application. The cost including, legal expertise, was around $4,000. If you choose not to use a lawyer, then you can probably do it for about $2,500. But I recommend an Migration lawyer. It is a lot of paper work and not wise to make mistakes on any of the forms required in the process.

Each form was submitted at the request of USCIS and followed by certain testing processes conducted by the Department of Homeland Security. These include a biometric test, where I had to report to be fingerprinted and have my eyes scanned for a background check.

Finally, there was a face-to-face interview.

I dressed formally, as instructed. Both Kristen and I were ready to answer personal questions. We were asked for details about how we met, how long we had known each other, our communication prior to me coming to the USA, and whether we had met before my arrival. (We had not).

For genuine couples like Kristen and I, these questions were no problem. We know each other very well and have spent years forming a close relationship.

The interview took about 30 minutes. At the end, we were told that my application was successful.

I can’t describe the feeling. I was relieved. It had been many months of waiting nervously and hoping that the outcome would be successful. The focus was very much for my wife and I to start our lives together.

With a green card, it means we can finally create the life and family we want. I was very happy and so was my wife.  When I told my family, they were happy as well.

I worked hard in New Zealand to earn my master’s degree in business and marketing but the career opportunities were just not available to me in that smaller country.  Coming to the USA means greater opportunities because it is a much bigger country, one that appreciates innovative, creative and entrepreneurial people like myself who desire to contribute and create success here.

In my heart, I know that this is only the beginning. It is simply one opportunity and must be used as a foundation to create others and this is how I feel now.

*My Migration process is unique to my situation and will not necessarily apply to you. I hope you enjoy my story, but I caution against applying it to your own situation if you hope to immigrate to America. Each case is different, and so is the process that the U.S. Migration system demands.

by Global Cleveland

Ohio's First African American Entrepreneurship Conference

Join business and community leaders at the Presidents’ Council conference

The Presidents' Council Business Conference on August 21-22 is presented in collaboration with Downtown Cleveland Alliance and the Commission on Economic Inclusion.
It is a unique opportunity to directly engage with those who share in The Presidents' Council mission of closing gaps that negatively impact minority communities; have a shared passion for, and understanding of, the issues and needs of African American business owners; and actively seek progress in removing barriers linked to those challenges.

The conference program on August 22 features keynote speakers Susan L. Taylor, editor-in-chief emerita of Essence magazine, and David E. Gilbert, president and CEO of Destination Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

It also will include panel discussions led by regional business and community leaders on these topics:

• Innovations and How to Protect Them
• Access to Capital: Everyone Needs It, How Do You Get It?
• Risk Management and Succession Planning
• Expanding Your Business in Today's Political and Economic Climate

There will be a kick-off golf outing on Monday, August 21 at Canterbury Golf Course followed by a welcome reception in the evening. Click for more information.

For more information and sponsorship options please call (216) 771-8702 ext. 205 or email [email protected].

by Global Cleveland

Friends of Global Cleveland, Dedicated to Helping International Young Professionals

A new kind of young professionals group emerged July 13 when the Friends of Global Cleveland held its kick off party in Tremont. Young adults from around the world descended on the Ukrainian Museum and Archives for a night of networking and fellowship.

Organizers hope it is only the first of many such events. Friends of Global Cleveland is dedicated to helping international young professionals find success and fulfillment in Northeast Ohio.

 "We want to connect and engage international young professionals, help them learn more about local communities, and make Cleveland a home for everyone." -- Yulu Li, the President of Friends of Global Cleveland

 The kick off party was an auspicious beginning, but group leaders expect to make a bigger splash September 9. That’s when the Friends of Global Cleveland will co- hosts InterCLE2017 at the Global Center for Health Innovation downtown. The free event is aimed at welcoming the more than 6,000 international students studying at area universities, in hopes more will stay to pursue careers in Northeast Ohio.

International students are a potent economic force. They are more likely than most college students to be honing in-demand skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Typically bilingual and well travelled, they can help the region to compete in the global economy.

But they are also far from home and often alone as they navigate a foreign culture. Friends of Global Cleveland saw a need to connect the scattered students and build mutual support systems.

First, introductions were in order. The kick-off reception attracted more than 100 young adults from an atlas of nations, including China, India, New Zealand, Russia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Romania and Egypt. They enjoyed international foods and wine and engaged in networking games on the museum grounds on a balmy summer night.

They were welcomed by museum director Andy Fedynsky, who connected with his multicultural audience by describing his International Newcomer roots. He said he was born in a displaced persons camp in Europe after World War Two and came to America with his parents as a Displaced Persons.

“It’s Cleveland’s enormous strength that we were built by International Newcomers,” he said.

David Fleshler, the director of international programs at Case Western Reserve University and chair of the board of Global Cleveland, told the young people they represented the hopes and the spirit of a multicultural city.

Friends of Global Cleveland is open to international students, international professionals and globally minded young professionals. To join, fill in the FGC Membership Form or contact FGC via email.

by Global Cleveland

Ohio Looks For More International Newcomer Success Stories

Led by welcoming agencies across Ohio, state agencies are seeking ways to speed skilled International Newcomers back to their professions

A statewide welcoming initiative is gaining momentum as Ohio’s major cities share ideas for attracting international talent to boost the state’s economy.

Members of the Ohio Welcoming Initiatives Network, including Global Cleveland, met in Columbus July 19 and shared their collective vision with key state officials. The aim is to shape policies that would make it easier for International Newcomers and Displaced Personss to apply their talents and succeed in their new home.

“It says a lot that people are sitting down and having these conversations,” said Jessica Whale, the director of global talent and economic development for Global Cleveland. “The group has been able to identify needs and trends we would like to address at the state level.”

OWIN emerged in 2015 to help the state compete in the knowledge economy. Through the network, representatives of the state’s welcoming cities and counties meet to share best practices and to support local efforts to welcome International Newcomers and international students.

Research shows that international talent is key to a region’s success in the global economy. Ohio’s foreign-born population, while small, is unusually well educated and skilled. For example, more than 40 percent of Ohio’s International Newcomers hold college degrees, nearly double the native-born average. Meanwhile, Ohio’s international students are more likely than their native peers to be pursuing degrees in new economy fields like science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Across the land, International Newcomers are about twice as likely as non-International Newcomers to launch a business.

It makes sense to help International Newcomers to use their business skills as soon as possible.  Yet many are stuck in low-pay jobs because their overseas degrees or credentials are not recognized here. Others may face language barriers, or a lack access to financing to buy a home or launch a startup.

Meeting at state office buildings, network members discussed these issues with representatives of the state departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Workforce Transformation, as well as the office of Governor John Kasich.

“They recognize the need for international talent inclusion,” said Whale, who attended the meetings. “Questions are commonly asked about foreign-educated professionals. If someone wants to get back into their profession here in the US, what’s the route they should take? How can education and credential policies allow for foreign education and skills?”

Solutions could include accreditation support and career guidance of the kind the state extends to military veterans making the transition to the civilian workforce.

By documenting pathways to careers, the state could help International Newcomer professionals return to careers more quickly, speeding personal success and enriching communities.

Cities and counties represented in the welcoming network include Cleveland and Cuyahoga County County, Akron and Summit County and Toledo and Lucas County, as well as Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati. Learn more about OWIN at https://www.welcomingamerica.org/sites/default/files/Ohio.pdf 

by Global Cleveland

Common Ground is So Cleveland. Here’s why!

 By Joe Cimperman, Global Cleveland president

We don’t talk enough in this city. By that I mean is we don’t talk enough to each other. We don’t talk enough about big issues, and with people who have different perspectives, who come from different walks of life. We want to, but. There's a meeting I have to make, there's a lunch to pack, there's always a reason why we can not do something and find something else more distracting, or solitary to do. Enough.

This is about to change in a pretty cool way.

If you have not yet heard of Common Ground, you will. It’s a big community-wide conversation that the Cleveland Foundation is organizing for July 30. The idea is to bring more than 1,000 people together on Public Square to share a meal and to talk about ways to make our city better.

These intentional, personal, "hey you have some mustard on your lip, oh I do too?" conversations will actually be taking place all over town. Our friends and leaders at the Cleveland Foundation have invited community groups to host their own, mini Common Grounds at their businesses, churches, mosques, temples, libraries, gyms, and homes. 

We’re hosting one here, at Global Cleveland offices near Public Square. We’ve invited board members and people who work with our Displaced Persons sisters and brothers to come at 12:30 p.m., July 30, for coffee. We’ll be talking about what Cleveland can do to be more welcoming to International Newcomers and Displaced Personss.

Afterward, we plan to walk with everyone toward Public Square for the Big Conversation at 2 p.m. I can’t wait to see it. Here’s why I think Common Ground is such a great idea:

• It’s tested. The Chicago Community Trust has organized these conversations for four years now. More than 50,000 people have participated.

• We can do it better than Chicago because we love our city more. Clevelanders love Cleveland and love to talk about the city! Because we are the best.

• no room is busier than an ethnic kitchen. No greater love, and arguing, and fun and resolution happens anywhere than at a table. Eating is living is talking is growing is sharing is opening is Common Ground.

So I'll be on Public Square at 2 p.m. July 30. Let's share a smile and a story. Maybe a hug? I promise to be mellow.

Meet you there?

by Global Cleveland

Flashstarts launches first Global Entrepreneur Program in Ohio with University of Akron Research Foundation and Baldwin Wallace University

Flashstarts, the Cleveland-based startup accelerator and venture fund announces new partnerships in their Global Entrepreneur-In-Residence (GEIR) program: University of Akron Research Foundation and Baldwin Wallace University. This program is the first in the state of Ohio to provide an alternative visa pathway for talented international entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in Northeast Ohio, and comes with the support of and a partnership with the Global Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Coalition.

“Our goal is to cultivate and recruit successful entrepreneurs to build startups that create jobs and wealth in our region” said Flashstarts CEO, Charles Stack. International entrepreneurs play a key role in creating new, fast-growing companies. According to a recent study done by the National Foundation for American Policy, more than half of the U.S. billion-dollar startups had at least one International Newcomer founder. With increased scrutiny in visa applications and tightening of Migration policies, Flashstarts has forged ahead with global programming. The Flashstarts GEIR program creates partnerships with local universities to help top talent thrive in the Northeast Ohio region via an alternative visa track for foreign entrepreneurs.

Through a competitive selection process, successful applicants are identified and form a collaborative partnership with one of the participating universities in exchange for a cap-exempt H-1B visa pathway. International entrepreneurs work on campus for 20+ hours per week in support of the school’s mission, while working on their startups for the remaining time.

University of Akron Research Foundation and Baldwin Wallace University are the first two academic institutions partnering with Flashstarts Global EIR consortium. The consortium supports collaborations between universities, private equity, industry and global entrepreneurs. A similar partnership between the University of Massachusetts and global entrepreneurs has sponsored 28 local entrepreneurs whose companies have created

400+ jobs and generated $227 million in private investment since 2014, according to UMASS.

Participating startups will also be given full access to Flashstarts’ mentorship network, the expertise of Flashstarts’ executive team, and the potential for funding from investors.

Global Cleveland, the program’s strategic partner, will provide support for international entrepreneurs to move to Cleveland, and networking within our NEO community. The Flashstarts Global EIR program is also partially supported by the generosity of Burton D. Morgan Foundation.

Interested applicants should apply through Flashstarts NEO Global EIR’s website.

About Flashstarts

Flashstarts is a Cleveland-based business startup accelerator, consultancy and venture fund focused on unique and innovative uses of software and technology. Startups will benefit from Flashstarts’ executive team’s deep expertise in HealthIT, SaaS and Enterprise software. Flashstarts’ rigorous 12-week summer accelerator program is powered by rapid cycles of feedback and iteration, customized guidance from dedicated coaches, and an extensive network of top-tier, experienced mentors. For more information, visit www.flashstarts.com or follow @Flashstarts on Twitter.

About the Global EIR Coalition

Global Entrepreneur In Residence (Global EIR) enables the world’s most innovative entrepreneurs to to build their businesses and create jobs in the United States. They partner with universities to connect entrepreneurs with visas and allow them to grow their companies locally through a service commitment to the local community.

About University of Akron Research Foundation

The University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF) was established in 2001 to promote and support university/industry collaboration and provide effective mechanisms by which University of Akron discoveries and inventions are developed and commercialized. It is UARF’s mission to create wealth in the region through technology commercialization and leveraging networks.

About Baldwin Wallace University

Baldwin Wallace University is a private university located in Berea, Ohio. BW’s Center for Innovation and Growth prepares tomorrow’s leaders by encouraging creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. BW partners with companies small and large to promote business development in northeast Ohio and assists start-ups in developing business plans for success.

by Global Cleveland