Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps
New York, NY

General Support

Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps was developed in response to an interesting paradox: service programs such as the Peace Corps or Teach for America are increasingly popular with young Jewish adults-allowing them to make a contribution to society while acquiring experience and skills--and learning something about themselves. Yet should they be interested in exploring Judaism, they must seek out Jewish study programs or travel to Israel. This bifurcation presents young people with a false choice between public service and Judaism. AVODAH rejects this false choice and offers an alternative model in which synthesis and integration are key to developing a vibrant Jewish identity. The grant from NCF will support the first year of the Jewish Service Corps as it matches participants with community-based social service agencies, advocacy groups and community organizing initiatives. Students-- Reform, Reconstructionist, Conservative, Orthodox and unaffiliated Jews--will live together in the AVODAH house. Together they will study Judaism and its perspectives on service, and will grapple with issues such as poverty, welfare reform, and hunger. They will also learn skills needed for social change, such as conflict resolution and coalition-building.