AVODAH News
AVODAH's Recruitment Update
As of the end of December, 204 individuals had started applying to AVODAH, but only 24 of them have submitted their application. We need your help to ensure that AVODAH recruits an amazing group of applicants. More than half of this year's Corps members were referred by alumni.
Now is the time to follow-up with those you've connected with about AVODAH - and continue to spread the word to others!
Consider donating your Facebook status to AVODAH today:
"Do you want to make a difference in the world? Check out what you can do with AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps at www.avodah.net/apply"
Contact Mollie for more information about how you can help shape the future of AVODAH by finding our future Corps members!
AVODAH Alumni Lead Short-Term Service Trips AVODAH Alumni represent 12 out of the 55 service-learning group leaders this year for American Jewish World Service and Jewish Funds for Justice. They will lead service-learning trips across the country and around the world in the coming year. They are: Amy Blumsack (NY 03-04), Justin Shear (DC 06-07), Alana Alpert (NY 05-06), Ariel Schneider (NY 08-09), Myla Green (DC 08-09), Jessica Schaffer (CHI 07-08), Rachel Leya Davidson (CHI 06-07), Wendy Mironov (CHI 08-09), Miriam Liebman (NOLA 09-10), Debbie Appel (NY 06-07), Laura Menyuk (DC 05-06), and Seth Harris (CHI 08-09). For a picture, click here!Executive Director Marilyn Sneiderman's New Years Resolution
Pursue: Action for a Just World asked Marilyn Sneiderman: What is your resolution for 2011? "My New Year's resolution for the next year (and hopefully many after) is to integrate service work and organizing for systemic change so that we can help people move from poverty, hopelessness, and despair to become activists who seize control of and change their lives, their communities, and society.
While we absolutely need to provide sustenance and services to people in need, providing certain kinds of direct service repeatedly does not actually change the dynamics of poverty. We also have to work for systemic change to genuinely address the underlying conditions that contribute to the cycle of poverty so that people in need aren't constantly dependent on others. An essential part of that process is engaging those who are affected by these issues in the process of change." Read more at PursueAction.org
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Alumni In Action
Brooke Denmark (DC 08-09)
Brooke is living in Managua and working on Witness for Peace's International Team in Nicaragua. Brooke is six months into a 2-year term of service. Read about Witness for Peace's work in Nicaragua. Email Brooke.
Brian Fink (99-00)
Mazel Tov to Brian Fink on his engagement to Aileen Heiman! Email Brian.
Mimi Garcia (DC 04-05)
Mazel Tov to Mimi Garcia on her November wedding to Ken Cameron! Email Mimi.
Leia Grossman (NY 02-03)
Beginning in January 2011, Leia Grossman is taking a year-long leave of absence from UNICEF in order to teach English at La Universidad Tecnolgica de Bolívar in Cartagena, Colombia. She will also be studying Spanish and volunteering in local community development organizations focusing on women's and children's issues. If you have ESL/TOEFL teaching experience or have traveled in Colombia, please feel free to share your experiences with her! Email Leia.
Miriam Grossman (DC 09-10)Miriam is being honored at the Jewish Educators Awards Assembly in late January for her work at the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs creating and implementing a Judaism and Urban Poverty curriculum which has been well received. Email Miriam.
Meaghan Gruber (DC 07-08)
Meaghan recently accepted a job with the organization Bridges to Community and will begin working at their Siuna, Nicaragua site in a few weeks. Bridges to Community is a nonprofit community development organization that takes volunteers to developing countries to work, learn and reflect. Meaghan will be working for this organization while pursuing her Masters in Intercultural Service, Leadership and Management, focusing on International Education. Email Meaghan.
Sophia Krentzman (DC 09-10)
Sophia recently started a job at the International Hillel Center as a Human Resources Associate. Email Sophie.
Julia Leis (CHI 07-08)
Julia is departing Chicago to work on sustainable agriculture projects with the American Jewish World Service Volunteer Corps in Thailand in February 2011, before continuing on to graduate school. Email Julia.
Meredith Levy (DC 04-05)
On Monday, December 13th Meredith and her husband Benjamin gave birth to a beautiful daughter, Zahava Yafit. Pictures and video of the simchat bat (baby naming) can be found here and here. Email Meredith.
Zach Strassburger (NY 06-07)
Zach Strassburger was married to Kate Jenkins on October 3, 2010, in Connecticut. Theirs was the first same-sex wedding at the Yale Law School. Zach is a second-year student at the Law School; Kate is working on her sociology dissertation from the CUNY Graduate Center in the area of autistic self-advocacy. Most of Zach's AVODAH house (Farragut North) was able to attend. Photo here, from left: Jason Pollens, Rachel Loube, Zach Strassburger, Kate Jenkins, Sarah Gunther, Naomi Spector, Stephanie Feuer-Beck. Email Zach.
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Upcoming Events
Bay Area
Food Justice Walking Tour
When: Sunday, January 9 from 10:00 AM - 1 PM
Where: California Hotel, 3501 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, 94608 (corner of 35th St)
RSVP is required. Please email Alexander Sharone.
Eco Tu B'Shvat Seder
When: Wednesday, January 19th 6:30pm
Where: Women's Building, 3542 18th Street
Tickets: Click here.
Inside the Activists' Studio 2011
Save the date: February 27th, 11:00am to 4:00pm
More information to follow.
Boston
Alumni Retreat Planning
Boston-area alumni are planning a 2nd Annual AVODAH Alumni retreat!
Get involved in the planning: Email Stephanie Feuer-Beck.
AVODAH and Friends Book Club
This month the Book Club will read and discuss The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
When: Sunday, January 9 at 6:30pm
RSVP:to Amy Horning. Location upon RSVP.
Chicago
Alumni Gathering: Plan events for 2011!
When: January 27th, 6:00pm. Dinner will be served.
Where: AVODAH Offices (4707 N. Broadway, 3rd Floor)
More information: Email Jackie Kaplan.
New York
The People of the Book Club: In Cheap We Trust
When: January 11th, 6:00pm
Where: 45 West 36th Street, 8th Floor
More information: Click here.
Click here to submit your Upcoming Event.
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What's Been Happening in the Community
Bay Area
Guilt-Free Gelt
Click here for pictures of this festive fair-trade fashion show extravaganza!
Boston
AVODAH Alumni Shapotluck
The Boston AVODAH alumni community hosted its monthly potluck at the home of Myla Green (DC 08-09). Ten alumni and several friends enjoyed a lovely Shabbat dinner with incredible veggie food!
AVODAH and Friends Book Club
The Book Club gathered for a final night of latkes at Rachel Benedict's (NY 03-04) house to discuss The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery.
Washington, D.C.
Chanukkah Party
AVODAH hosted a celebratory Chanukkah party and 'Meet and Greet' with Marilyn Sneiderman at the SEIU.The following alumni attended: Raina Fox (DC 09-10), Myla Green (DC 08-09), Sophie Krentzman (DC 09-10), Melissa Mayer (DC 09-10), Sara Mosenkis (DC 08-09), Lindsay Morris (DC 07-08), Rachel Nadas (DC 09-10).
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Jobs and Professional Development
Bookkeeper and Junior Accountant, AVODAH. (New York City)
To apply, email cover letter and resume to info@avodah.net with 'Junior Accountant' in the subject line.
Internships at AVODAH
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 think 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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