AVODAH News
You gave it your all as an AVODAH Corps member - now here's your chance to give again as an AVODAH alum! It's December, and that means end-of-year fundraising is in full swing. If you're already a donor to AVODAH, we thank you and ask that you continue your support. If you've never given, won't you consider becoming a donor? Monthly sustainer gifts are the best way to give without feeling it in your wallet. Just $10 a month means $120 for AVODAH. $20 a month = $240. Give to AVODAH today.
AVODAH's Recruitment Update
The application process started less than one month ago and already over 130 individuals have started applying to AVODAH 2011-2012! We still have a long way to go and need your help to get there. Last year a significant amount of successful applicants were referred by Alumni, so please consider donating your Facebook status to AVODAH today:
"Are you interested in social justice and Judaism? Are you passionate about fighting poverty and affecting change in the United States? Apply to AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps today!"
Contact Mollie at mspevack@avodah.net for more information about how you can help shape the future of AVODAH by finding our future Corps members!
AVODAH Alumni in the Blogosphere
On PursueAction.org: Emma Epstein (DC 08-09) on small-town farmers and Leia Grossman (NY 02-03) with a rocking playlist for Jewish-Justice skill-building.
On AVODAH: Jewish Voices Pursuing Justice: Ora Nitkin-Kaner (NOLA 08-09) reflects on AVODAH's yearly call to service.General Assembly: Day of Service
AVODAH played a significant role in the recent gathering of over 4,000 Jews in New Orleans for the annual General Assembly. For a recap including links to articles, video and stories from AVODAH Corps members and alumni, click here.
Happy Hanukkah
AVODAH wishes you a festive, fun and socially conscious holiday. We are happy to share these fair trade retail options:
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Alumni In Action
Sasha Feldstein (NY 08-09)
Sasha recently started a position as a Program Associate in AJWS' Education and Community Engagement Department. This summer, she served as an AJWS Volunteer Corps participant in Nairobi, Kenya, where she worked at an organization called Heshima Kenya. Sasha spearheaded efforts to promote a business collective comprised of unaccompanied adolescent refugee girls from Somalia, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Email Sasha.
Julie Lipson (DC 06-07)
Julie serves on the board of Camp Aranu'tiq, a summer camp for transgender youth. She writes: "This summer we held our first year of camp, and everyone involved was impacted in positive ways we could never have imagined. A defining moment for me happened around the camp fire: A nine-year-old girl approached me to ask what she should do with this graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow...because of her gender-variance, she had never been allowed to attend traditional camps, and therefore had never learned what s'mores were." Click here to find out more about Camp Aranu'tiq. Email Julie.
Hollen Reischer (CHI 06-07)
Hollen Reischer works at the Neighborhood Writing Alliance (an arts-based Social Justice organization in Chicago). As part of their work, NWA recently started a blog about social justice and community work in Chicago. Hollen encourages AVODAH Alumni to read the blog and be in touch if there are ways the blog can promote and partner with their organization! 'Every Person is a Philosopher' can be enjoyed here. Email Hollen.
Emmy Stup (DC '08-'09)
Emmy was featured in the "In Focus" section of the Washington Jewish Week. You can read the article here. Email Emmy.
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Upcoming Events
San Francisco
Guilt-Free Gelt: A Fair Trade Festival of Rights
When: Sunday, December 5th 2:00 to 5:00pm
Where: Women's Building, 3543 18th Street, SF
More information and to register: Click here.
Organization Leadership for Social Justice: Training
When: December 7th to 14th
Where: All sessions will be held at the UpStart office in downtown San Francisco, 332 Pine St, Suite 600
More information: Click here.
Social Change Shabbat
When: Friday, December 17th
More information: Email Jocelyn.
Boston
AVODAH and Friends Book Club
Avid Alumni readers and friends will gather to discuss The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery and enjoy latkes! Bring a dish to share.
When: Sunday, December 5th at 6:00pm
Where: Address available upon RSVP.
RSVP: Email Rachel Benedict (NY 03-04).
Chicago
Text Study Group Interested in learning more about our sacred texts? Moishe House Chicago is hoping to develop a text study group that will meet on a regular basis each month. E-mail Hannah Gelder (CHI 08-09) (hgelder@gmail.com) if you are interested in helping develop the structure for this group. Interested in learning how to run a Get Out The Vote (GOTV) initiative?
Want to get involved in local politics during the upcoming municipal elections? Live in the 44th ward? Join the Lakeview Action Coalition (an AVODAH placement!) in its GOTV initiative. Email Hannah Gelder to get involved!
Moishe House Chicago
AVODAH Alumni and friends are planning a calvary of great events for December: a clothing swap, Mayor Candidates Forum, Composting Workshop and more.
Washington D.C.
Chanukah Party and Gathering with new Executive Director Marilyn Sneiderman
When: Sunday, December 5th 4:00 to 5:30pm
Where: SEUI Headquarters, 1800 Massachusetts Avenue
More information: Contact Paul Entis. Alumni volunteers are needed!
Israel
Alumni Shabbaton
Michal Boyarsky (NOLA 09-10) and several Israel-based Alumni are organizing an Alumni shabbaton in the land of olive trees, dates and deserts!
When: January 14th-15th
Where: Tel Aviv
More information and to get involved in planning: Email Michal.
New York
Inside the Activists' Studio
IAS 2010 is THIS Sunday, December 5th. Join us for interactive workshops, an inspiring panel, a celebration of Hanukkah and this year's justice victories!
When: Sunday, December 5th 4:00 to 9:00pm
Where: 92Y Tribeca
Register here.
Repairing the Idea of Repairing the World
When: Monday, December 6th
Where: JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Avenue
More information: Click here.
A Program of Ma'yan with co-sponsorship from Repair the World, Pursue and AVODAH.
New Orleans
Justice and Jewish Thought Siyum
Justice and Jewish Thought is wrapping up its eight week run in NOLA. Participants will gather for a siyum (closing) in December, blessing and reflecting on the thinking and learning they are completing. For more information contact Yaeli Bronstein (NOLA 08-09).
Click here to submit your Upcoming Event.
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What's Been Happening in the Community
Bay Area
Chewing on Food Justice
Chewing on Food Justice is in the news! An op-ed by Pursue Program Officer Jocelyn Berger was featured in JWeekly and a recent event was featured on the blog World Savvy.
Boston
AVODAH and Friends Book Club
The November book club, six alumni and two friends, met to discuss Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich and enjoy Ghinwa's incredible souffle!
Chicago
Moishe House Happenings
This month, with the help of some active AVODAH Alumni, Moishe House Chicago continued a Privilege and Oppression discussion series, put on an event about SNAP benefits, partnered with the Lesbian and Gay International Film Festival and hosted a series of Thanksgiving events, including Shabbat meals on Immigration and Thankfulness.
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Jobs and Professional Development
Development Intern, AVODAH. (New York City)
The development intern will gain valuable experience in fundraising, event planning and foundation work. The intern will work with staff to implement our development plan in addition to planning and executing a major fundraising event.
Communications and Marketing Intern, AVODAH. (New York City)
The intern will work with communications staff to develop and implement a communications strategy using social and new media.
While unpaid, these internships are incredible opportunities to gain experience in strategy and implementation of development and communications work. Interns will work with senior-level staff, take initiative and thinking creatively.
To apply: Send resume and cover letter to info@avodah.net with the appropriate job title in the subject line.
For a more extensive list of job offerings, see the Pursue: Action for a Just World monthly blog post, Gainful Pursuits. |
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Update Your Contact Information
Have you moved? Or changed your email
address, mailing address, or phone number recently? Email
Rachel Ann Gross with
your new information.
If you would like to be added to a regional listserve please email the following people:
Bay Area - Jocelyn Berger
New York - Audrey Sasson
DC, Boston, Chicago, Israel or New Orleans - Rachel Ann Gross
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Rachel Ann Gross, Program Associate
AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps
phone:
212-545-7759 ext 300
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