Upcoming Alumni Events
National
Debate Watch 2008 Parties
Head to the Debate Watch Party in your city on Tuesday, October 7th!
On
October 7, 2008 millions of viewers will tune into the second U.S.
Presidential Debate. Where will you be? Join us as we come together
1,000-strong across the nation to hear Democracy roar on the big
screen. Set your intentions for how you'll put your values into action
in the New Year.
Boston, 7:30pm, Tommy Doyle's
Chicago, 7pm, Ginger's Ale House
Los Angeles, 6pm, Mama's Hot Tamales
New York, 7pm, Galapagos Art Space
San Francisco, 5:30pm, Jillian's at the Metreon
Washington, D.C., 7pm, The Red Derby
Events
will include a combination of speakers, election trivia, local social
justice opportunities, voter registration tables, and more! For more
information and to register, visit our blog.
AVODAH Alumni Retreat
Save the Date: Friday, January 9th - Sunday, January 11th 2009.
Our 2009 AVODAH
Alumni Retreat will be back at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat
Center. Last year seventy alums gathered together for an amazing
weekend! This year we expect an even greater turnout. Please help us
make this retreat awesome - please email Rachel Chertok with your ideas about
what you want to see happen at the January retreat.
Bay Area
Bay Area Debate Watch 2008 Party
WHERE: Jillian's at Metreon, 101 4th Street between Mission and Howard, SOMA, SF
WHEN: Tuesday, October 7th, 5:30pm-9:00pm (Debate starts at 6:00pm)
COST: FREE, and the first 100 people to arrive will enjoy a drink on us.
For an expanded description and to register please see the national events blurb above or the Debate Watch 2008 blog.
Social Change Book Club
Want to read those important books you've been meaning to get to?
Want to discuss current issues facing our community, country, and world?
Want to meet cool like-minded folks and have interesting conversations?
Join
the Bay Area Social Change Book Group! We will meet every six weeks to
discuss a different interesting book about social justice,
environmental justice, poverty, education, special needs, or human
rights. While the discussions will be focused primarily on the books
themselves, other texts, films, and information will be brought in to
deepen our understanding of the issues discussed and follow-up service
opportunities. Jewish themes and ethics will be woven into the
discussion. The meetings will be facilitated by Sarah Shulman, the
Service Learning Coordinator at Brandeis Hillel Day School, Sharon
Turner, Group Leader from AJWS and Health Educator and Heidi Winig,
Program Officer of AJWS and AVODAH.
When: Our first meeting will be Oct 29th at 7:30pm
Where: Women's Building on 18th St b/w Guerrero and Valencia in the Mission
RSVP: Heidi Winig
Come check it out! Look out for more details about the first book.
The
Social Change Book Group is co-sponsored by the American Jewish World
Service (AJWS) and AVODAH: the Jewish Service Corps Partnership and
Brandeis Hillel Day School.
Boston
Boston Debate Watch 2008 Party
WHERE: Tommy Doyle's in Harvard Square
WHEN: Tuesday, October 7th - 7:30-10:00pm (Debate starts at 9:00pm)
COST: Free! The first 100 people will enjoy a drink on us.
WHO: You! (21+)
For an expanded description and to register please see the national events blurb above or the Debate Watch 2008 blog.
Chicago
Chicago Debate Watch 2008 Party
WHERE: Ginger's Ale House in Wrigleyville
WHEN: Tuesday, October 7th - 7:00-10:00pm (Debate starts at 8:00pm)
COST: Free!
WHO: You! (21+)
For an expanded description and to register please see the national events blurb above or the Debate Watch 2008 blog.
DC
DC Debate Watch 2008 Party
WHERE: The Red Derby in Columbia Heights
WHEN: Tuesday, October 7th at 7:00-10:00pm (Debate starts at 9:00pm)
COST: Free! And the first 100 people will enjoy a drink on us.
WHO: You! (21+)
For an expanded description and to register please see the national events blurb above or the Debate Watch 2008 blog.
Election Results Watching Party
Join EntryPointDC GesherCity, the AVODAH-AJWS Partnership, and
other organizations for an election results watching party. Improv
comedy, networking, and free food! More details will be coming.
When: Election Day, November 4th
Where: DC JCC at 16th and Q
RSVP: Jessie Posilkin
Inside the Activists Studio
Save the Date: Sunday, November 23rd
Join us to
learn from and be energized by local Jewish change-makers and to
celebrate the multitude of ways we are working to create a more just
and equitable world. The afternoon will include a combination of
speakers, workshops, networking, and a community art project! Are you interested in helping out? Please contact Jessie Posilkin.
When: November 23rd, 4pm-8pm
Where: 6th & I Historic Synagogue
New York
New York Debate Watch 2008 Party
WHEN: Tuesday, October 7th at 7:00pm
WHERE: Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO, Brooklyn
WHY:
To watch history in the making and to set your intentions for how
you'll put your values into action in the New Year.
COST: Entrance to the event is FREE.
For an expanded description and to register please see the national events blurb above or the Debate Watch 2008 blog.
Simchat Torah Shul Hopping Extravaganza
The annual Simchat Torah shul-hopping celebratory extravaganza with the AVODAH
community in NYC. For more info, or to volunteer to host, contact Audrey Sasson.
When: Tuesday, October 21
Where: All over the Upper West Side
Why: Because it's an AVODAH tradition!
AVODAH-AJWS-Hazon Book Club
Our next book club discussion will focus on a few chapters from Naomi Klein's The Shock Doctrine. The session will be facilitated by AVODAH-AJWS's own Audrey Sasson. Stay tuned for complete details on the reading selections.
When: Wednesday, November 12th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Where: AJWS
office, 45 West 36th St., 10th Floor
RSVP: Suzanne Lipkin. You are also invited to send suggestions for the next book
selection.
Jew Roots!
Stay
tuned for information about the new date and time of the AVODAH-AJWS NY
City Team's next community event, likely to take place in November
2008. For more information or to get involved in the AVODAH-AJWS NY
City Team, contact them at newyorkcityteam@gmail.com.
Inside the Activists Studio
Save the Date: Sunday, December 7th
Join us to
learn from and be energized by local Jewish change-makers and to
celebrate the multitude of ways we are working to create a more just
and equitable world. The afternoon will include a combination of
speakers, workshops, networking and more! Additional details will be announced shortly. Are you interested in helping out? Please contact Audrey Sasson.
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What's Been Happening in the Alumni
Community
Bay Area
On September 10th, Tte AVODAH-AJWS Partnership was thrilled to have Annie Leonard, creator
of "The Story of Stuff" to help us kick-off our 2008-09/ 5769
programming year. The program focused on making meaningful and intentional choices when using our time and resources. Seventy-five conscientious folks in the Bay Area community came together to watch
"The Story of Stuff," a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled, humorous look
at the underside of production and consumption. We then broke up into
small groups for conversation, inspiration, and insight into solutions
happening right now. The evening culminated with Annie speaking and
answering questions about the film. Kevin Danaher from Global Exchange also spoke briefly about his efforts to reduce waste at the recent Democratic National Convention.
We had an exciting group
of twenty Bay Area leaders who participated in the Board Service for Social
Justice Training on September 14 and 21. The training brought together a
diverse group of folks, from a variety of Jewish and social justice
communities, including many who are working for more justice for the
queer community, both locally and nationally. The Partnership will
continue to support these folks throughout the year to find
organizations to which they can offer their talents and newly-honed
skills.
Boston
Alumni,
sweethearts, friends, and AVODAH's own Rachel Chertok gathered for
Shabbat dinner on September 12. Many thanks to Lieba Savitt (DC 02-03)
for opening her home and hosting this delicious gathering.
Alumni in attendance included Ayala Livny (NY 98-99), Ari Shapiro (NY
02-03), Elesheva Soloff (DC 03-04), Amy Horning (DC 04-05), and Rachel
Benedict (NY 03-04).
Chicago
On
September 12th, AVODAH alumni gathered for Shabbat dinner in the Wicker
Park apartment of Lisa Pearl (DC 06-07). Food goodies ranged from fried green tomatoes to
challah to ice cream! Conversation included talking about how to get involved in upcoming
activities that some of the group is organizing, including debate watching parties and
taking action on an Illinois fuel emissions bill, and wanting to have more
alumni Shabbats together. In addition to Lisa, AVODAH alumni in attendance were Rich Semegram (Chi 07-08),
Julia Leis (Chi 07-08), Orit Vardi (Chi 07-08), Jess Schaffer (Chi
07-08), Ilana Zafran (Chi 06-07), and Emma Rubin (Chi 07-08).
DC
Over
fifteen alumni and friends gathered for a Shabbat at Rivka Burstein-Stern's
(DC 06-07) house, on September 5th. The group shared lots of delicious vegetarian food
and met alumni from almost every year of AVODAH. Rivka's parents, Moishe House residents, and various partners and
friends joined in on the fun. The group learned about our varied AVODAH experiences and, more
importantly, the story behind our most impressive or bizarre scars.
Let Jessie Posilkin know if you'd like to plan another Shabbat!
Israel
Alums Jason Pollens (NY 06-07), Daniel Schaefer (DC 04-05), Sarah Lesser (DC 06-07) and Meredith Weinberg (DC 04-05) and friends gathered for a potluck picnic at Liberty Bell Park in Jerusalem. They learned about what brought each of them to Israel and the various work they are all doing. They also talked and shared about their involvement in different organizations and programs in Israel. The group hopes to keep gathering on a monthly basis.
New York
The AVODAH-AJWS-Hazon Book Club held its
first High Holiday session on September 22nd, discussing Simon Wiesenthal's The Sunflower.
The discussion touched on the themes of repentance, forgiveness,
post-conflict reconciliation, and responsibility for past atrocities
among future generations. The group included AVODAH alum Jessica
Polansky (NY 99-00). The book club wishes everyone a meaningful and
reflective New Year!
During
the month of September, food enthusiasts in the alumni community and
beyond gathered for a variety of programs centered around the new
Jewish food movement. The series, called "Eating our Values" attracted
over one hundred people over the course of the three events. The first event,
"Choices at the Check-Out Line," was a roundtable discussion about how
to make informed and intentional choices in our food consumption. More
than fifty participants gathered to eat a home-cooked feast made from
local ingredients and to share strategies for eating ethically. The
second event, "Digging in the Dirt," was an opportunity to work
alongside the members of Hands and Heart Community Garden in East New York,
Brooklyn, to help them maintain their communal land. It was a beautiful
day and the work was fun and satisfying! Finally, the closing event,
called "The Politics of Kashrut," was an opportunity to explore kosher
meat boycotts in historical perspective, with the Agriprocessors case
study front and center. Over sixty people attended what turned out to be a
lively and dynamic exchange of ideas. All the events were organized in
collaboration with Hazon, and the last event was organized with Jews for Racial and Economic Justice as well as Uri L'Tzedek.
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AVODAH News
Shana Tova - Happy New Year
The AVODAH-AJWS partnership team wishes the entire AVODAH community a sweet year full of wonder and delight. May it be a time of joy, reflection, and re-dedication to doing the great work
you do in the world.
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Alumni Highlights
An interview with Rachel Gold (NY 02-03), one of the recipients of the AVODAH-AJWS Partnership Double Impact Social Justice Grants, is now published on AVODAH's website. To learn more about Rachel's experience at the British Columbia Non-Profit Housing Association, please click here.
Do you have great
news that you want to share with the AVODAH alumni community? Do you want to
see your name in e-print? Please tell us about all the great stuff you are up
to so we can feature you in our alumni highlights.
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Awards and Fellowships
American Jewish Joint
Distribution Committee (NYC and International)
The American Jewish Joint
Distribution Committee is currently recruiting for the 2009-2010 Ralph I. Goldman Fellowship in
International Jewish Communal Service. This prestigious Fellowship offers future
leaders of the Jewish community, whether lay or professional, a significant
experience in international Jewish communal service. One Fellowship is awarded
annually, and provides an insider's perspective on JDC's global programs. The
year of work-study is comprised of a range of unique assignments that respond to
the changing needs of Jewish communities around the world. The first 2-3 months
are spent in an orientation period in New York, followed by two overseas assignments
lasting 4-5 months each.
Qualifications: graduate degree or
equivalent, leadership capabilities, community service experience, and an
interest in Jewish communal affairs.
Please see JDC's
website for details or
email volunteer@jdc.org.
Energy Action Coalition Fellowships (DC or SF)
The
Energy Action Coalition unites a diversity of organizations in an
alliance that supports and strengthens the student and youth clean
energy movement in North America. The partners of Energy Action work
together to leverage their collective power and create change for a
clean, efficient, just and renewable energy future. The work of Energy
Action is focused on four strategic areas: campuses, communities,
corporate practices, and politics. Fellowships are available in the
areas of Green Jobs, Media and Communications, Power Shift 2009, Power
Vote, Diverse Materials, and Anti-Oppression. For more information,
please visit Energy Action's website.
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Programs
Hebrew College: Prospective Students Program (Boston)
Ta Sh'ma--Come and Learn: A Program for
Prospective Rabbinical Students. Please
join the students and faculty of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew
College November 13-16 for a retreat of study, prayer, community
and celebration. Explore theology, text and ritual with HC's faculty,
find out more about the Rabbinical School, and spend a Shabbat in HC's
unique trans-denominational community, where you will have the
opportunity to meet and learn with a group of passionate Jewish seekers
and future leaders. The program begins on Thursday morning at 7:45 a.m.
with tefilah (prayers). On Thursday and Friday, you'll be given the
opportunity to participate in classes and meet with students and
faculty. The community will then gather for a meaningful Shabbat of
uplifting prayer, song and inspiring study. The program concludes on
Sunday at noon. Contact Rabbi Sara Zacharia with questions or register now here.
Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom Regional Training Institute (SF, DC, and TX)
The
SYRF Regional Training Institute (RTI) is an activist and organizing
training program that will take place in three cities across the
country between October 2008 and March 2009.
San Francisco, CA: November 7-8, 2008 (Apply by October 3, 2008)
Washington, DC: February 1-2, 2009 (Apply by December 22, 2008)
Austin, TX: March 7-8, 2009 (Apply by January 30, 2009)
Each
training will feature intensive skills sessions preparing participants
to galvanize community support for reproductive justice in a faithful
context. Trainings will be led by experts in the fields of organizing,
religion, and reproductive justice. Session topics include event
planning, communications, theology, personal leadership development,
and more. For more information, FAQs, a sample schedule, and
applications, please visit SYRF's website.
Union for Reform Judaism Young Adult Mitzvah Corps (New Orleans)
Get ready for some hard work in the Big Easy! Join fellow Reform Jewish
adults, aged 25-35, for an unforgettable volunteer week in New Orleans,
LA. Participants will experience a week of volunteering, study, worship
and fun! Join us as we rebuild New Orleans' 9th Ward.
When: December 20-25, 2008
Where: New Orleans, LA
Registration: $250 (Includes hotel, meals, ground transportation and programming costs. Travel to New Orleans not included.)
More Info: Here
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Jobs
AVODAH-AJWS (Boston)
Are you committed to making the world a better place? Are you excited
to meet with and bring together Jews in their 20's and 30's who care
about social justice? Are you interested in helping young Jews put
their values into action through intentional decisions about their
careers, their volunteer experiences, their philanthropy, their
political power, and their consumer choices?
As the AVODAH-AJWS partnership program officer in Boston you will help
strengthen this community in a number of ways, including: developing
opportunities to celebrate and showcase local Jewish Boston
change-makers and the incredible work that they do, building bridges
between existing networks of people with shared interests and values;
and providing AJWS and AVODAH alumni and their like-minded friends with
opportunities to build leadership skills and put them to use for the
greater good.
Alumni are strongly encouraged to apply! For immediate consideration, please forward your resume and cover letter to opportunities@ajws.org and indicate your name and "AVODAH-AJWS Program Officer, Boston Region" in the subject line.
AVODAH-AJWS (Bay Area)
Are
you committed to making the world a better place? Are you excited to
meet with and bring together Jews in their 20's and 30's who care about
social justice? Are you interested in helping young Jews put their
values into action through intentional decisions about their careers,
their volunteer experiences, their philanthropy, their political power,
and their consumer choices?
As the AJWS-AVODAH Bay Area Program
Officer you will help strengthen this community in a number of ways,
including: nurturing networks of people with shared interests and
values; developing opportunities to celebrate and showcase local Jewish
Bay Area change-makers and the incredible work that they do, and
providing AJWS and AVODAH alumni and the broader community with
opportunities to build leadership skills and put them to use for the
greater good.
For the complete job description, please click here.
AVODAH (NYC)
AVODAH
is seeking a National Administrative Coordinator who will have
responsibility for overseeing administration for AVODAH's national
office. AVODAH is a growing and dynamic organization, currently seeking
to double the number of participants in its core program. The
National Administrative Coordinator will play an integral role in supporting
AVODAH's development and marketing in particular and will
help define administrative systems and processes to enable that growth.
For the complete job description, please click here.
AVODAH (NYC)
AVODAH
is seeking a Communications and Development intern who will work to
create and maintain marketing materials at AVODAH that help advance
development efforts. AVODAH is looking for someone who can work 12-15
hours a week. The schedule can be reasonably flexible, provided the
candidate can work through December 2008, with the possibility of a new
internship term at the start of the next semester. Positions are based
in mid-town Manhattan. Internships are unpaid. This is an excellent
opportunity for someone interested in communications and in advancing
social justice by working for a Jewish organization. For the complete
description, please click here.
AJWS (NYC)
AJWS
is seeking a highly organized and energetic individual to become an
integral member of the Jewish Communal Relations Department. S/he will
support the team in expanding AJWS' visibility in the American Jewish
community through various strategies. Reporting to the Director of
Jewish Communal Relations, the Program Associate will handle a variety
of functions including general administrative support, research and
organization of speaking opportunities for AJWS staff members. This is
a great opportunity for an individual interested in gaining tremendous
insight into the workings of a fast-paced department in a growing
nonprofit organization. For more information on this and other AJWS
jobs, please click here.
Amazon Watch (Bay Area)
Amazon
Watch is a dynamic organization that has led the way to ground breaking
victories for indigenous peoples' rights and the environment. Amazon
Watch is looking for a highly motivated and organized individual to be
its Communications Manager. This position will be responsible for media
outreach, publications, advertising, marketing and messaging for the
organization and its campaigns. For the complete job description,
please click here.
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life (DC)
Interested
in organizing students to participate in transformative service
learning experiences? Hillel is looking for an Assistant Director for
Weinberg Tzedek Hillel, Hillel's social justice department. The
Assistant Director will be responsible for organizing and implementing
Hillel's Hurricane Katrina Alternative Break, establishing new
Alternative Break models, and working closely with the Director of
Tzedek Hillel to advance the value of Tzedek throughout Hillel. The
Assistant Director position is excellent for someone with a passion for
social justice, enjoys building relationships with people, is a good
communicator and very organized. For the complete job description,
please click here.
Global Campaign for Microbicides (DC)
The
Global Campaign for Microbicides (GCM) has begun its international
search for a new Executive Director. GCM is a broad-based,
international coalition of organizations working to accelerate access
to new and existing HIV prevention options, especially for women. The
Director will have overall responsibility for the strategic,
programmatic, financial and managerial operations of GCM. In
consultation with GCM's international steering committee and staff,
s/he will implement GCM's strategic plan, design effective activities
and enhance the organization's ability to achieve its unique mission.
For the complete job description, please click here.
JFREJ (NYC)
Jews
for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ), a premier Jewish progressive
non-profit organization located in New York City seeks a talented
Executive Director to lead the organization. JFREJ is a
membership-based organizing group working for racial, social, and
economic justice in New York City. The Executive Director is
responsible for leading the strategic, financial, programmatic, and
management operations of the organization. The Executive Director also
serves as ambassador to the broader community: cultivating
relationships with donors, allies and community leaders; interacting
with the media; and representing the community JFREJ serves. For the
complete job description, please click here.
Operation USA (Los Angeles)
For
more than 29 years, Operation USA has worked in more than 99 countries
to help the most vulnerable communities, especially women and children,
cope with poverty and recover from disasters. Operation USA is hiring a
communications director to develop and implement strategies for
successfully engaging media, donors, government officials and other
partners. The communications director will help identify and pursue
opportunities to boost the visibility of Operation USA with key
audiences through media outreach, marketing and events. In addition,
this person will ensure the Operation USA brand is effectively and
consistently delivered in all of our communications products. Lastly,
the communications director will play a key role in writing, editing
and producing a wide range of marketing materials, including press
releases, annual reports, web and e-mail content, and the newsletter.
For the complete job description, please visit here.
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