AVODAH News Next Year's Corps is in the Making Thank you all for your incredible help with an amazing recruitment season. Many of your know what wonderful candidates AVODAH has this year because you have been interviewing them! By our initial February 8th deadline, AVODAH received 218 applications! Even though we have accomplished so much, recruitment is still not over. We are still accepting applications on a rolling basis. We are delighted to get applications at any time and we will consider applicants for subsequent matching rounds until all matches are completed. Please continue to spread information about AVODAH to anyone you think may be interested in the year-long program. Your help is invaluable.
Save Service!
The United States Congress is considering a bill eliminating funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service which provides all funding for the Americorps Education Award and Americorps service programs. This measure would deny local organizations and millions of Americans the resources needed to strengthen their communities - and AVODAH would be directly affected. Take action! Corps members Rally in Solidarity with Wisconsin Workers Chicago Corps members Liz London, Ali Terkel and Talia Cheifetz participated in a Chicago rally to support the Wisconsin workers' struggle on Saturday, February 27th. A photo taken by Ali Terkel was selected by Moveon.org to represent activities across the country taking place in solidarity with the protests in Madison. Click here to see the photo and others selected. In addition to the Corps members' in Chicago, friends of AVODAH and staff across the country (and in Madison) have participated in the efforts.
Nominate Potential Leaders for AVODAH's Board and Advisory Councils We need your help finding some potential new Board members. An ideal AVODAH Board member should have: a wide network of connections across the Jewish and/or the social justice communities; the commitment to make AVODAH a primary giving priority and the ability to give (or raise) a significant annual contribution; passion, positive energy, and creative thinking. We are particularly looking for new board members with development and/or financial management experience.
We are also looking for potential new Advisory Council members in our city sites. Advisory Council members meet several times a year and are a vital source of support for each city's program. They play an active role in planning their city's annual event and other fundraising appeals, enjoy events with corps members, and work to raise AVODAH's profile in local social justice, Jewish and philanthropic networks.
If you know of anyone-a family member, a colleague, a mentor, or a friend-who fits either of these descriptions and who you think might be interested in becoming a part of AVODAH's Board of Directors or a local Advisory Council, we would love to hear your recommendations.
Please send suggestions to Nadia Underhill (NY 99-00), Board member and Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee at nwunderhill@gmail.com. We appreciate any and all recommendations you make.
If you know someone who may not be a good fit for the Board but who might be interested in getting involved in other ways, please feel free to pass along these suggestions as well.
Rabbi Stephanie Ruskay Becomes Director of Alumni and Community Engagement Rabbi Stephanie Ruskay has become AVODAH's new Director for Alumni and Community Engagement. Stephanie has served as AVODAH's National Education Director since 2008. In this capacity she has worked closely with the year-long program staff, Corps members, the Pursue team and been in charge of staff education.
Stephanie's deep understanding of how the year-long program works makes her well suited to work with alumni to re-envision and shape AVODAH's alumni program and work in partnership with AJWS to build and strengthen Pursue.
Prior to coming to AVODAH, Stephanie was ordained as a Conservative Rabbi from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She worked on Education and Outreach and service learning at American Jewish World Service, served as the Program Director for Face to Face/Faith to Faith, a multifaith youth leadership program, and did a year of service as a Jewish Service Corps volunteer in Bulgaria for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.
Stephanie will be contacting many of you to discuss how you can collaborate in her new role, but feel free to be in touch with her if you have immediate ideas. Email Stephanie.
Suzanne Feinspan (DC 03-04) Becomes Assistant Director of National Program We are delighted to announce that Suzanne Feinspan will become AVODAH's Assistant Director for National Program. In her new capacity, Suzanne will be responsible for managing the operations of the year-long program, as well as helping to develop systems that will support AVODAH's future growth. Jevera Temsky will retain overall responsibility for the year-long program with greater emphasis on strategic planning. Many of you know Suzanne, who was a Corps member in DC '03-4 prior to becoming the DC program director in 2007. She brings a unique set of skills and perspectives and has already strengthened the program in innumerable ways. We are thrilled that she is stepping into a position that enables her to continue making these contributions. Suzanne will officially begin her new role on Tuesday, March 1st and will continue to serve as the DC Program Director until a replacement is hired. If you are interested in applying, please follow this link for instructions. If you know of great candidates, please connect with them about this opportunity and direct them to the job announcement. Email Suzanne. | 
