David Pawlan

In this challenging climate, David believes it's easy to lose sight of the gifts that come with being Jewish. "We weren't born Jewish simply to defend our existence, but to celebrate our heritage," he said.

So, the entrepreneur-who has a knack for building things from scratch-launched a new organization called ChaiChi, in which he spearheads events for young Jewish adults and "people who like hanging out with Jews."

Along with ChaiChi, David has launched many other projects to engage his peers Jewishly. 

He facilitated a Shabbat dinner series for Holocaust survivors to share their life stories with young adults.

An alum of the Birthright Israel Excel Fellowship, he is also a passionate advocate for Israel. In the wake of October 7, he and two friends organized a fundraiser and speaker series that raised $45,000 for Magen David Adom. He also led a solidarity trip to Israel to bear witness and bring their stories back to Chicago.

David co-founded two startups: Aloa, which outsources software development for startups, and Bracketology, building fantasy sports for reality TV. He also co-founded Fifth Star Funds to help bridge the racial wealth gap in America.

AGE:
27

PRIMARY GIG:
Co-founder of Aloa & Bracketology

ON THE SIDE:
I recently started ChaiChi. In today’s environment, we need to build a social ecosystem to re-engage our Jewish community, to rejoice through friendship and philanthropy.

HOW YOU JEW IN CHICAGO:
I moved back to Chicago having been in Latin America for three years… where I became fluent in Spanish. I loved the social Jewish community in Mexico City, and Buenos Aires, and in the States in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Moving back to Chicago, I wanted to build that social scene here; that is how ChaiChi was born.

A JEW WHO INSPIRES YOU:
David Cygielman (Founder and CEO of Moishe House) had a vision and, with the support of his mentor, turned that vision into a meaningful organization, Moishe House has changed the lives of countless young Jews. When an opportunity presented itself, he made meaningful change—driven by impact, not profits. That's the type of Jewish leader I want to be.

IF TIME AND MONEY WERE LIMITLESS, I WOULD:
Build a fund that identifies the greatest threats facing humanity, employs the brightest minds, and builds innovative products to solve the problems. I would also build my own panda sanctuary because…one of my life goals is to cuddle with a panda.