Praying with Our Legs

Praying With Our Legs

19 stories that will inspire you a Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Publication Praying With Our Legs 19 stories that will inspire you

A Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Publication

Published for the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America

New Orleans, Lousiana November 5-9, 2010

Special thanks for Repair the World’s generous funding, Dory Kornfeld’s stellar design and Jerry Silverman’s belief in this project. Thanks to Jewish Funds for Justice stafff—Mae for writing and project management and Sheila and Erica for editing.

Cover photo by Flickr user Deep Schismic

THE NATHAN

CUMMIFOUNDATIONNGS is the proud founder and sponsor of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. Praying With Our Legs 19 stories that will inspire you a Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Publication Executive Summary

The Jewish Social Justice Roundtable (Roundtable) is excited to illuminate the stories and accomplishments of 19 young people ages 15 to 33 years old. They have inspired us with their diverse expressions of Judaism, commitment to service and desire to see the Jew- ish community grow. “I want to see a shift in the Jew- ish psyche. Service is a way to act Jewish, just like we understand prayer as a Jewish act, so is service,” says Anya Manning, 25.

Diverse definitions of service: Those featured in this booklet are bursting open the traditional definitions of service and pushing their Jewish communities to think expansively. They’re in Israel teaching refugees English, using community organizing to engage congregants in New Orleans and doing service learning in Guatemala.

Never too young to start: In fifth grade, Gabe Ferrick, 15, learned about the genocide in Darfur. By his bar mitzvah, he was raising funds and collecting supplies for children there. “This is my genera- “This is my generation’s tion’s form of Judaism: a religion form of Judaism: that has a commitment to im- a religion that has proving the world,” says Sasha a commitment to Lansky, 19, who has fundraised thousands of dollars for environ- ” improving the world, mental initiatives. Sasha Lansky, 19 years old. Orthodox to Secular: Read about Dani Passow, a 27-year-old Or- thodox rabbinical student who built latrines in Senegal and Jackie Rotman, a 19-year-old ballerina/Executive Director. From those who are finding their Jewish spark to those who are serving out of their religious obliga- tions, all define service as a core expression of their Judaism.

2 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable

Jewish organizations got them started: These young Jews are each part of a Jewish organization that has inspired and supported them in their community engagement. These groups provide a Jewish framework for the work they love and have introduced them to communities of likeminded Jews. Elyssa Koidin, 28, explains, “The journey to finding where I fit in within the Jewish community took a while.... I finally feel comfortable.”

The Jewish Social Justice Roundtable

The Jewish Social Justice Roundtable is a collaboration of 18 organizations working to elevate the role of social justice in the contemporary Jewish community. We believe that social justice is integral to what it means to be a Jew and should be a more explicit part of Jewish life in the 21st century.

For over a year, the Roundtable has built the connec- tive tissue that will allow for effective collaborations. The group is focused on deepening relationships between organizations and developing programmatic partnerships. Most recently, the Roundtable has prioritized introducing more Jews and Jewish institutions to the transformative work happening in our growing Jewish social justice field. This booklet, and the increased presence of Roundtable groups in leadership roles during this year’s General Assem- bly, is one manifestation of that effort.

For a complete list of member organizations, please see page 44.

2 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 3 A Message from Jerry Silverman

Dear Friends,

We are so proud that The Jewish Federations of North America is hosting our annual General Assembly in New Orleans. Our very ability to hold the GA in New Orleans is due to the incredible re- silience of the Jewish communities on the Gulf Coast. The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and the Jewish Federation of Greater Baton Rouge have dramatically rebuilt since Hurricane Ka- trina, with the support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, whose open doors helped those communities persevere.

Though devastated following the storm, the Jewish community knew that to strengthen themselves, they must strengthen New Orleans. Giving time, money and ingenuity to Jewish and secular issues is central to Jewish life here in New Orleans, on the Gulf Coast, and nationwide.

The young people featured in Praying with Our Legs are furthering those Jewish traditions of chesed and tzedek. Their stories inspire us. Their work improves the larger communities in which they live and deepens their Jewish identities. Like the New Orleans Jewish commu- The young people featured nity, many young Jews realize they in Praying with Our Legs grow individually and communally are furthering those when they reach out to make a difference. Jewish traditions of chesed and tzedek. Their We are also grateful to the Jewish So- cial Justice Roundtable for highlight- stories inspire us. ing some of the best and brightest of our young people. The GA offers a chance to promote the amazing work of these young people, and issues a call to the larger Jewish community to recognize that more young Jews than ever are eagerly participating in service work. This is no trend: it is a movement that has the potential to transform the Jewish community and change the world.

We are excited to welcome their voices and these organizations to this year’s GA. We hope these stories inspire you as well.

Jerry Silverman President and CEO The Jewish Federations of North America

4 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Table of Contents

2 Executive Summary

3 The Jewish Social Justice Roundtable

4 A Message from Jerry Silverman

6 American Jewish World Service Dani Passow 8 AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps Rachel Lewis 10 PANIM Institute of BBYO Jackie Rotman 12 Hazon Sasha Lansky 14 Jewish Community Action Hannah Nemer 16 Jewish Community Relations Council of Alexandra Rogers Greater Boston 18 Jewish Council for Public Affairs Elyssa Koidin 20 Jewish Council on Urban Affairs Leah Shefsky 22 Jewish Funds for Justice Stephan Labelle 24 Jewish Organizing Initiative Dan Gelbtuch 26 Jewish Reconstructionist Federation Ruhi Sophia Rubenstein

28 Jews United for Justice Matthew Adler 30 Jewish World Watch Gabe Ferrick 32 Keshet Taan Shapiro 34 MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger Trevor Brandt-Sarif 36 New Israel Fund Joanna Packer

38 Progressive Jewish Alliance Anne Hromadka 40 Rabbinical Assembly Rabbi Ethan Linden 42 Repair the World Anya Manning

44 Members of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable

4 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Dani Passow, Age 27

American Jewish World Service is an international development organization motivated by Judaism’s imperative to pursue justice. AJWS is dedicated to alleviating poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the developing world regardless of race, religion or nationality.

45 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018 212-792-2810 • www.ajws.org

6 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable For Dani, a cup of coffee can be about a lot more than a cup of cof- Dani Passow, Age 27 fee. Before taking a sip, he says, he often finds himself engaging in “a meditation on each person who had a hand in its production.” From the farmers who grow and harvest beans to the factory workers who make the cup it comes in to the barista behind the counter, “it’s an extraordinary number of people,” he says. “A lot of that is hidden. It’s a spiritual attribute to be able to investigate the unseen. G-d’s hand is unseen. We have to constantly seek that presence out.”

It was in Senegal, while on an American Jewish World Service (AJWS) trip for rabbinic students, that Dani was moved to start searching for the unseen hands in his consumer choices. In Senegal, he provided service building latrines while sharing his Jewish perspective and learning about Senegalese traditions. He noticed the immense poverty and poor infrastructure and was struck by something. “You see all this trash—Nestle wrappers and Coke cans—from Western corporations and countries. As Americans, we Like other rabbinic students are clearly involved, and our lives who have gone overseas on are interlaced with their lives.” AJWS delegations, Dani has Service, as Dani defines it, is tried to bring something “breaking down some of the bar- back to his Orthodox Jewish riers between self and other” and serving both Jews and non-Jews, community. the way AJWS teaches. Like other rabbinic students who have gone overseas on AJWS delegations, Dani has tried to bring something back to his Orthodox Jewish community. “At this point there have been eight of these excursions. A significant number of students have gone. They are all talking about their powerful experience and reflections in their sermons, writing or teaching.”

After the trip, Dani turned his meditations into action. He is now the director of Tav HaYosher, a project offering certifications to kosher restaurants and supermarkets that meet basic standards of pay and working conditions.

“Kosher is one of the most public Jewish institutions,” he says. “As a main communal institution, it should represent our Torah values. We have to stand up for the strangers amongst us and against oshek,” Dani says, reaching for his coffee.

Dani, a rabbinical student, is director of Tav HaYosher, a project offering certifications to kosher restaurants and supermarkets for meeting basic standards of pay and working conditions.

6 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 7 Rachel Lewis, Age 22

AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps strengthens the Jewish community’s fight against the causes and effects of poverty in the United States by engaging participants in service and community-building that inspires them to become lifelong agents for social change whose work for justice is rooted in and nourished by Jewish values.

45 West 36th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10018 212-545-7759 • www.avodah.net

8 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable “I wanted to do something that would be an honest experience of Judaism and social justice. AVODAH was the perfect option.” This is how Rachel Lewis describes her year with AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps. Rachel came to New Orleans to work in an anti-poverty setting and live and study communally with nine other young Jews. She worked at Orleans Public Defenders, which provides poor and indi- gent citizens of Orleans Parish with high-quality client-centered legal representation.

“Participating in AVODAH has been a transformative experience. From my job at the public defenders’ office, to the intentional community I have helped construct with nine other women from diverse Jewish backgrounds, to experiencing the horrors and unique treasures of this city, I have been fortunate to develop comprehensive Jewish and social justice lenses that have helped shift my perspective.”

Rachel grew up Orthodox in Philadel- AVODAH's combination phia, where she attended a pluralistic high school. She describes having of service, study, and practiced “a Judaism that was tradi- intentional community, tional but focused on social justice.” In college she was stifled by the lack provided Rachel with of integration of these two aspects of the chance to bridge her her life. AVODAH, with its combina- commitments to social tion of service, study, and intentional community, provided Rachel with the justice and Jewish life. chance to bridge her commitments to social justice and Jewish life. Through her placement, Rachel learned about the shortage of resources fac- ing many defendants. She saw racial disparities firsthand. “The criminal justice system is biased, and black and poor people have the highest rates of arrest and incarceration, especially in New Orleans. Public defense is a necessity and a social justice issue.”

After a long day at the office, Rachel and her housemates prepare dinner together or hold a house meeting. They work in a variety of local nonprofits, from a housing rebuilding organization to a battered women’s shelter. “AVODAH gives you insight into many social issues, because we’re all sharing our experiences,” she says. “AVODAH’s structure helps us connect to social justice through this Jewish lens.” There’s been strong local support for AVODAH and the New Orleans Corps members, who have been warmly welcomed. “We’re in a small Jewish community, so ten young people can have a large impact. We’re all involved, creating independent minyanim and helping run LimmudFest.”

After working hard at her AVODAH placement in the public defender’s office, Rachel parties with the best of them at New Orleans’ biggest celebration, Mardi Gras.

8 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 9 Jackie Rotman, Age 19

The PANIM Institute of BBYO trains and inspires a new generation of teens focused on issues that make a difference in the world. It is working to establish a network of Jewish teen activists, offer teens compelling opportunities, and provide educational resources and professional training in the areas of social responsibility and Jewish values.

2020 K Street, NW, Suite 7400, Washington, DC 20006 202-507-7304 • www.panim.org

10 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable At 19 years old, Jackie runs an international nonprofit that provides free dance classes to underprivileged youth. With paid staff, an ap- pearance on a popular television show and an annual conference, Jackie has a lot on her plate.

As a sophomore in high school, Jackie attended Panim el Panim, a program of the PANIM Institute of BBYO that brings together diverse groups of 10th- to 12th-grade students from around the country to explore public policy and social activism through a Jewish lens. Her experience helped her “build a philosophy about social action and Jewish values.”

On the heels of the program, she began Everybody Dance Now! (EDN!), which combines her love of dance with her passion for community service. “A lot of the topics discussed at that first seminar still guide my view of service, especially the power of youth,” says Jackie. “PANIM taught me that I don’t have to wait until I’m an adult to make a difference. Young people aren’t just the ‘next generation’ like some say. We can "PANIM taught me that I don't make a difference today.” have to wait until I'm an adult to make a difference. Young Jackie, who began dancing at 3 years old, started teaching people aren't just the 'next hip hop classes to elementary generation' like some say." school students along with a few other volunteer teachers. “Our first grant was in 2006 from PANIM for $500.” Then, her junior year, Jackie was named PANIM’s Young Jewish Activist of the Year, winning $1,000 for EDN! and an opportunity to speak at the awards ceremony. “Now we get larger grants and have raised over $100,000 for the program, but PANIM was the first to fund us.” Today, Everybody Dance Now! holds 17 free dance classes per week in Santa Barbara, and offers other youth programming. It remains run by youth and employs professional dance instructors to teach year-round.

Jackie is now a full-time first year student at Stanford University. She still runs EDN!, which has expanded substantially, to six branches. Too old to participate in PANIM, Jackie still finds inspiration to serve in the Jewish world. “I am in awe of the Jewish community. Jews are such a small population and make such a big impact. The amazing strength of Jewish philanthropy and service all over the world inspires me for how we can be.”

To learn more about EDN!, please visit www.everybodydancenow.org

Jackie combines her love of dance and service through the organization she started at age 14, Everybody Dance Now! 10 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 11 Sasha Lansky, Age 18

Hazon is the largest environmental organization in the American Jewish community. It works to create healthy and sustainable communities in the Jewish world and beyond.

125 Maiden Lane, 8B, New York, NY 10038 212-644-2332 • www.hazon.org

12 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Sasha, like a lot of young Jews, was worried about feeling isolated in her religious practice when she chose to attend Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. She had been in that situation before. Com- ing from the “more Orthodox” side of the Conservative movement, Sasha’s congregation in Western Massachusetts was small and “Old World,” regularly struggling to get a minyan. She found it difficult to connect with the only young Jews in town, who were less observant. Then she found Hazon.

Sasha and her father had just started cycling before her first Hazon New York Ride in 2006, when she was in 9th grade. After one ride, she was hooked. “There was no place I was happier, no community I was happier with. There was such a sense of acceptance, with people from all different places on the Jewish spectrum.”

Since then, she’s become a faster biker and more involved in Hazon. She’s spoken at the kiddush on Saturday of the weekend-long ride, been on the grants allocation committee and landed a summer internship in New York City. She laughs, saying of the experience, “Find- ing housing was hard, because I was only 16!” Later, Sasha joined the Board of Directors.

Turning 18 made it easier for Sasha to "There was no place I was rent an apartment. It hasn’t changed her definition of service. “Service, in happier, no community I a more literal sense, is improving life was happier with." for yourself and your community by improving your surroundings.” She’s proud of her hundreds of hours of education and advocacy. Inform- ing people about greener light bulbs, educating about buying locally grown food and inspiring people to bike to work instead of driving has been rewarding.

As a new college student, Sasha wants to create a community like Hazon. Currently a Hazon board member, she is working on her campus and nationally to help Jewish students enact environmental change on campus. “To find an organization that takes the Jewish parts of my life and weaves that into environmentalism and athleti- cism, that’s really fabulous.”

“This community has been very powerful for me. It makes me feel that the Jewish world that I’m looking for is out there. This is my generation’s form of Judaism: a religion that has a commitment to improving the world.”

“This is my generation’s form of Judaism: a religion that has a commitment to improving the world,” says Sasha (right) who biked 185 miles over two days as part of the 2009 Hazon NY Ride. 12 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 13 Hannah Nemer, Age 18

Jewish Community Action’s mission is to bring together Jewish people from diverse traditions and perspectives to promote understanding and take action on social and economic justice issues in Minnesota. Through congregational organizing and alliance building with diverse communities, JCA works for social change.

2375 University Avenue West, Suite 150 St. Paul, MN 55114 651-632-2184 • www.jewishcommunityaction.org

14 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable “When we did a rally at the capital, we had a huge Jewish turn- out. Seeing our community in action made me very proud. I think it brought me closer to the Jewish community,” Hannah says about her hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota. Now, she’s living in a small dorm room in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, as she begins her first year of college.

She developed that pride through her work during high school with Jewish Community Action (JCA). Seeds of Justice, a new initiative of JCA, fostered her passions and helped her develop skills. It has emerged as an opportunity for Jews to engage with social justice issues, where participants focus on a single issue. At 17, Hannah could break down wonky health-care issues to make them understandable. She had already received At 17, Hannah could break more social-justice training than down wonky health-care issues many people twice her age. “The project I was involved with to make them understandable. was fighting to save general as- She had already received more sistance medical care (GAMC), social-justice training than health care for the poorest of the poor. The governor tried to many people twice her age. eliminate it.”

Seeds of Justice also encouraged her to pursue her main passion, filmmaking, as a tool in her advocacy, whether fighting to save GAMC or illuminating other issues. “My favorite part of social justice is being able to interact and build a connection with people when I’m filming. Organizations used the videos I made, even after I wasn’t involved in the project anymore. That kind of work is very rewarding.”

One of her most powerful service opportunities was filming a project highlighting a women’s sewing group with JCA partner, Neighborhood House. The women, she says, represented “five different heritages and five different languages—their kids were playing together, and it was the most peaceful place. They maintained a joyous environment even though they couldn’t communicate. That inspired me to do this work.”

Hannah plans to continue her commitment to “sustainable solutions,” community organizing and filmmaking in college. She’s planning to major in public policy and hopes to take advantage of study-abroad opportunities. Mostly, she’s interested in doing whatever she can to “widen my perspectives on the global community.”

Hannah has learned how to blend her passion for justice and service with her talent for filmmaking, thanks to Seeds of Justice.

14 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 15 Alexandra Rogers, Age 25

Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston promotes a society that reflects the best of American and Jewish values in Great- er Boston, Israel and around the world. Through advocacy, organizing, service and partnerships, JCRC pursues social justice, ensures a vibrant Jewish community, and builds a network of support for Israel.

126 High Street, Boston, MA 02001 617-457-8649 • www.jcrcboston.org

16 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable When Alexandra followed a marketing job to Boston two years ago, she knew she didn’t want her life to be limited by her job. “I had always enjoyed volunteering and working in the community,” she says. “When I heard that the Jewish Community Relations Council of Great- er Boston (JCRC) was launching a new program for young adults to do community service called Reach Out, I got involved.”

By day, Alexandra executes marketing campaigns for a global hospi- tality company. After work, she puts her skills to use promoting Reach Out throughout Boston’s Jewish community. And her efforts have paid off: since its launch, Reach Out has grown, counting 85 young adults in its volunteer force.

“We do nine weeklong placements at various sites and a few group Shabbat dinners. People are drawn to the Jewish community-building, providing needed services and the chance for long-term engagement,” she says. “Many Reach Out participants continued to "Connection to the religious volunteer after their formal commitment ended. There’s still that parts of Judaism has always sense of community.” been a part of my life by Jewish community is important choice," she says. "I have to Alexandra, who was raised in always felt very connected a fairly secular household. “Con- to Judaism as a religion, as nection to the religious parts of Judaism has always been a part well as a culture." of my life by choice,” she says. “I pushed on my own to attend Sunday school and become a bat mitzvah. I have always felt very connected to Judaism as a religion, as well as a culture.”

That connection led Alexandra to volunteer at a Jewish home for the elderly as her Reach Out placement. “The residents are spectacular people with fabulous stories that they share. All my grandparents have passed, so spending time there fills a void for me. They value having a long conversation. So do I.”

Ultimately, Alexandra has appreciated connecting with people she might not have met otherwise: other volunteers, social justice advocates she’s encountered along the way, and the other young Jews she’s forming community with. “I’m developing a network and forming relationships within the Jewish community in Boston.”

Coleman House resident Ruth Grossman enjoys a visit from Alexandra, who prizes community involvement and her time as a volunteer with JCRC of Greater Boston’s Reach Out program for young adults.

16 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 17 Elyssa Koidin, Age 28

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs is the American Jew- ish community’s umbrella agency for multi-issue organizations engaged in public policy and community relations. It works to address a broad range of public policy concerns and share the Jewish community’s consensus perspectives.

116 East 27th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10016 212-684-6950 • www.jewishpublicaffairs.org

18 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Elyssa Koidin, Age 28 “I focus 100% on domestic issues,” Elyssa says of her work as a senior policy associate at the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA). While JCPA is known for its work on a broad array of issues, in the past five years, Elyssa says, the Jewish community’s interest in her area, “economic and social justice,” has escalated, as has community engagement.

“I work on issues that really interest the Jewish community, from heath care to workplace issues and child nutrition.” After working for years in the secular policy world, Elyssa craved the opportunity to speak from a faith perspective. “There are people out there whose voices might be a little softer. If I can lend a microphone to serve them, I believe that’s my work to do. The more I work in the Jewish community, the more I see these values are found in the scripture of my religion. God tells us to do this "The journey to finding where work and to stand up against I fit in within the Jewish injustice.” community took a while. I The large part that religion was more of a soup kitchen now plays in Elyssa’s personal and professional life came as kind of girl. I finally feel a surprise to her, given her comfortable." background. “I grew up a Re- form Jew, but religious obser- vance wasn’t a large part of my life. We had a very culturally Jewish home.” Then, Elyssa’s grandfather died when she was in college. “My mom’s father was the most religious in our family,” she says. “He had strong opinions and spiritual belief. He was the quintessential Jewish grandfather. When he passed on, I felt like someone should continue the traditions, so I’ve become the one that does that.”

After her grandfather’s death, Elyssa took religious studies classes and became close with a Jewish professor. When she moved to Washing- ton, she continued to explore her Judaism and met her boyfriend, who is also Jewish. “We just made a decision that this would be a Jewish relationship and a place of spirituality in our lives.”

“The journey to finding where I fit in within the Jewish community took a while. I wasn’t like an AIPAC kind of girl. I was more of a soup kitchen kind of girl. I finally feel comfortable.”

Elyssa stood next to a statue of a personal hero Representative John Lewis during a JCPA trip to Birmingham, AL. The trip was comprised of Jewish and African-American community leaders.

18 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 19 Leah Shefsky, Age 18

The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs aims to combat poverty, racism and anti-Semitism in partnership with Chicago’s diverse communities. Guided by prophetic Jewish principles, JCUA pursues social and economic justice for Chicago’s most vulnerable neighborhoods by promoting a vision of empowering communities from within.

600 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60605 312-663-0960 • www.ortzedek.org • www.jcua.org

20 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Just starting her first year at Beloit College in Wisconsin, Leah flashes back to the start of an earlier phase of her life, high school. After nine years of conservative Jewish Day School in Evanston, Illinois, Leah was disengaged from Judaism and eager to start school at her local public high school. “I wanted something with more meaning. I was looking for some way to actively continue my Judaism, but wasn’t interested in just a youth group. Then, I found a way into my Judaism through making the world a better place.”

That “way” was Or Tzedek, a program of Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA), which introduced Leah and other young people to ways they could make change in their community. The group would study an issue, do a service project and learn about various methods for creating change. Every time the group took action on new issues, Leah says, she was surprisingly affected.

“I started caring a lot about all the issues we discussed. Immigration is "I found a way into my so central in the history of Jews, and Judaism through making the we started to learn about immigra- world a better place." tion reform. We went to an interfaith vigil that’s held weekly at a deten- tion center. It is where people are bused before being deported. Standing next to family members crying was so powerful. No matter where you stand on immigration issues, it’s impossible not to feel something. It’s much more real when you’re there and seeing the faces.”

Now that Leah has had experiences building relationships, providing service and advocating, she can no longer “sit back and pretend like nothing is going on.” Only beginning her college career, she is already getting involved and breaking down barriers. “People talk about the ‘Beloit bubble’ and the disconnection between students and the community. I want to become engaged in the community.” A member of the Peace and Justice Club, she volunteers at a “community- based organization that is five blocks from campus and is very low- income.”

Once again at a place of transition, Leah is seeking out something like what she found at JCUA, where she can be fully Jewish and fully present in the larger Beloit community. “There’s only a small Hillel group, but I’m figuring out my own rides to synagogue in town.”

At the start of her first year of college, Leah is already volunteering in her new community, building on her JCUA experience and trying to create change on the local level.

20 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 21 Stephan LaBelle, Age 21

Jewish Funds for Justice is a national public foundation guided by Jewish history and tradition. Since 1984, it has worked across race and faith lines to ensure that economic opportunity and security are broadly shared across the United States.

330 7th Avenue 19th floor, New York, NY 10001 212-213-2113 • www.jewishjustice.org

22 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable “I grew up Conservative, and we would go to temple every couple of months on a Friday night and the High Holidays. Other than that, I didn’t enjoy going to services. By the time I went to college. I was basically disengaged. Then, randomly I got an email from Hillel, saying they were leading a trip to New Orleans.”

Stephan’s relationship to Judaism and service deepened after his first trip to New Orleans. “I got a lot more involved. I became known at Hillel as the ‘New Orleans guy,’ and people started to look up to me. Now that I’m out of college I consider myself religious,” says Stephan about the changes he went through while at the University of Dela- ware.

“My junior year, we went on a Jew- "It changes you. It's so ish Funds for Justice (JFSJ) service learning trip.” While volunteering to different to see all of gut and repair homes, Stephan was this first hand. It's real, moved when he found untouched possessions three years after the and it's in front of you." storm. “There was a report card, trophies and dolls. It got to me that the homes were still empty. They may never come back.” After the emotionally intense days, the program leaders would guide discussions, connecting the work to Jewish text and tradition. “The Jewish learning and service together really worked.”

His senior year, Stephan found out that his Hillel wasn’t planning another JFSJ trip to New Orleans. “I called JFSJ and started setting up the trip myself. I was very persistent. They knew I was a student, but at first, they didn’t realize that Hillel wasn’t organizing it.” A little shyly, Stephan admits, “I think I was the only student to ever call and insist a trip happen at their school, but I had to get back to New Orleans.” Recruit- ing 15 people on his own, Hillel followed the enthusiasm and got on board.

Stephan graduated from the University of Delaware in May 2010 and moved home to New York. He is teaching music in New Jersey, and planning his next service trip to New Orleans, though he’s on his own this time around. “Everyone should have an experience like I had. It’s not just helping out, but the eye-opening devastation, the lack of effective government help and the discussions that come from that. It changes you. It’s so different to see all of this first hand. It’s real, and it’s in front of you.”

Stephan’s relationship to Judaism and service deepened after his first trip to New Orleans. “I got a lot more involved. I became known at Hillel as the ‘New Orleans guy.’”

22 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 23 Dan Gelbtuch, Age 30

The Jewish Organizing Initiative focuses on community organizing as a strategy for social change and Jewish community development. Community organizing develops grassroots leaders to build vibrant communities that can act strategically on what they care most about.

99 Chauncy Street, Suite 715, Boston, MA 02111 617-350-9994 • www.jewishorganizing.org

24 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Dan spends a lot of his workdays at Dorchester Bay Economic Devel- opment Corporation (DBEDC), bringing African-American and Jew- ish teens together “across neighborhoods that they wouldn’t usually connect to.” Bridging the boundary, he says, is made easier because of Boston’s supportive Jewish community. “I’ve built relationships with Jewish schools, shuls and organizations. This work makes my community proud.”

His efforts helped DBEDC win a campaign for $9 million in funding for youth jobs from the governor’s office. It’s all in a day’s work to Dan. “Service is about empowering people. It’s building leadership of the people that I’m serving, so they have the tools to direct the affairs of their community and take leadership in the political arena.” "A lot of my friends have

Dan came to DBEDC through the entered Judaism through Jewish Organizing Initiative (JOI), social justice work. I which provides one-year place- hope even more Jewish ments at community organizations, training, mentoring and creating institutions begin to the next generation of Jewish or- recognize its power." ganizers. Two years after his placement ended, Dan is still there— only now he’s a paid organizer. Today, Dan credits JOI with not just supporting him during his placement but with helping him understand his own relationship to service and organizing work in a low-income community. “Organizing teaches us that you can only do effective social justice work through your story. For me, that’s about being Jewish. JOI showed me models of Jewish community and Jewish leaders that have done amazing social justice work.”

“Jewish people came to this country in very marginalized ways. My dad’s parents escaped the Holocaust, coming to the US as penniless immigrants. It was labor unions that helped them be successful. My mom’s family grew up in tenements in New York City and then went on to be leaders with the teachers’ union. Jewish history is one of struggle and organizing to create change, and I relate very much.”

Dan draws strength for his work from his Reconstructionist congregation. “A lot of my friends have entered Judaism through social justice work. I hope even more Jewish institutions begin to recognize its power.”

“Organizing teaches us that you can only do effective social justice work through your story. For me, that’s about being Jewish,” says Dan, who helped win $9 million in state funding for youth jobs.

24 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 25 Ruhi Sophia Rubenstein, Age 25

The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation serves more than 100 dynamic, inclusive, and egalitarian communities around the World. JRF provides services to its affiliates and the greater Jewish world in all areas of congregational life, including the area of Jewish life, social justice, service learning, community organizing, sustainable living on this planet.

101 Greenwood Avenue, #430, Jenkintown, PA 19046 215-885-5601 • www.jrf.org

26 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable “Once, someone suggested that I create a mission statement for my life. I thought about it for a while, and then I made one. My mission is to help people connect with the love and abundance of the earth and help them be okay with who they are. That’s what service is to me, and I hope to be doing it for a long time.”

In a complex world, the simplicity of Ruhi’s mission is one many people connect with and find appealing. It’s a perspective fostered by Ruhi’s parents. “I saw them being effective leaders who were doing a lot of good in their community and having holistically healthy lives,” says Ruhi, whose parents are both Reform rabbis. “My idea of the rab- binate might have been misleadingly positive,” says "As the Nature Director at Ruhi, who is now in rabbinical school, with a laugh. Camp JRF, I felt so supported in infusing Jewish practice into At 16, Ruhi realized that areas my nature programming.It was of her hometown, Saratoga Springs, New York, that were the first Reconstructionist once forest had been razed community that I was involved to make room for strip malls. This had a drastic impact with, and I was impressed." on the way she viewed the world around her. “I saw that people’s consumption patterns had something to do with the environmental degradation,” she says.

In college, Ruhi became active in environmental issues and explored multiple Jewish practices. “Then, in 2008, I started working as the nature director at Camp JRF, the Reconstructionist movement’s summer camp. I felt so supported in infusing Jewish practice into my nature programming. The leadership really came from the campers, including campers who have special needs. It was the first Reconstructionist community that I was involved with, and I was impressed.”

She is now studying at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Phil- adelphia, especially valuing the opportunity to serve people through supportive conversations and introduction to new ideas. Since beginning rabbinical school, Ruhi has interned with Green Faith, an organization working to make sure people across faith communities have a healthy environment, regardless of race or income.

“This might be a little revolutionary, but I don’t think we should make young people pray in synagogues. Take them on hikes! The building is beautiful, but we need to meet young people outside and inside the building. Our community is larger than a building.”

For Ruhi, service is all about building relationships and making connections between our actions and the environment.

26 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 27 Matthew Adler, Age 24

Jews United for Justice leads Washington-area Jews to act on shared Jewish values by pursuing justice and equality in local communities.

2027 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20036 202-408-1423 • www.jufj.org

28 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable “I didn’t even know you could run to be a delegate in the Democratic primary!” says Matt, before describing his own experience becoming one of the youngest delegates for the 2008 presidential elections in St. Louis, Missouri.

Matt, who’s since built on that experience, attributes his understanding of the ties between social justice and Judaism to a college internship with Jewsh United for Justice (JUFJ) in 2006. “As I was becoming more active politically, it really empowered me that my tradition had something to say about it,” he says. “To hear rabbis using text to discuss affordable housing and labor issues was eye-opening. JUFJ taught me that faith isn’t just about praying. It’s also a way to mobilize people to change the world.” With JUFJ, Matt worked with congregations to bring Matt attributes his information about labor, immigration and domestic worker issues to the understanding of the forefront. ties between social

Growing up in a Reform congrega- justice and Judaism to an tion with progressive leanings, Matt’s internship with JUFJ. Jewish background and his own experience as a gay youth helped him realize that the most vulnerable people in society are often those at the “intersections of identities. Being a minority within a minority, I feel sensitive to people who are excluded.”

His strong ethics and drive to serve excluded communities will be invaluable in his newest position, as special assistant to the director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services. “Service is about taking the time out of your day to give back to others and empower them to be advocates. It could be going to volunteer at a homeless shelter, but it could also be working with your elected officials to create a program in your community to teach people English.”

Matt’s position will involve working with the director to ensure that the agency serves “immigrants’ public interest.” His work will include combating fraud attempts against immigrants, providing benefits to refugees and partnering with community organizations.

“As a minority almost anywhere I go, I identify with immigrants and anyone who is vulnerable. I grew up with this consciousness that my people have been in extreme danger,” he says. “We were blessed to sometimes have people looking out for us, and sometimes we didn’t. As immigrants, American Jews can see that immigrants are just as valuable as we are.”

“Faith isn’t just about praying. It’s also a way to mobilize people to change the world,” says Matt, pictured here as part at a rally in Washington, DC, for immigration reform.

28 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 29 Gabe Ferrick, Age 15

Jewish World Watch is a hands-on leader in the fight against genocide, engaging individuals and communities to take action locally to produce powerful results globally. Motivated by the Jewish imperative to “not stand idly by,” JWW educates, advocates and raises funds to stop the atrocities and empower survivors.

17514 Ventura Boulevard. Suite 206, Encino, CA 91316 818-501-1836 • www.jewishworldwatch.org

30 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Gabe Ferrick, Age 15 “Both of my parents have always been big with tzedakah and tikkun olam. They raised me that way,” says Gabe. The hours Gabe’s parents spent with him at soup kitchens and bringing meals to workers on Christ- mas Eve are readily apparent in Gabe’s passion for community service and social justice.

In his fifth grade humanities class, Gabe learned about the genocide in Darfur. “In Darfur, they don’t have anything. We have too much,” Gabe says. “We have to even the playing field.”

Recognizing his passion, the rabbi at Gabe’s Reform congregation, Gabe organized his bar Congregation Shomrei Torah in mitzvah project around Santa Rosa, California, connected JWW's Backpack Project, Gabe with Jewish World Watch (JWW). JWW has mobilized local collecting funds for school communities to combat genocide supplies for young people in for six years, first in Darfur and now in Eastern Congo. With JWW’s refugee camps. support, Gabe organized his bar mitzvah project around JWW’s Backpack Project, collecting funds for school supplies, shoes and hygiene projects for young people in refugee camps.

After the success of that project, Gabe organized the Santa Rosa arm of JWW’s annual Walk to End Genocide, raising awareness and money for Darfur. “The first one was two years ago. Last year in April was the second walk, and I doubled the people who came out and the amount of money I raised. I want it to expand every year until I go to college. I would love to pass it on to another young person in my community who is passionate about these issues. Hopefully Darfur will be over, but there will be another issue to focus on.”

Learning about the Holocaust became a major impetus for Gabe’s service work, which he thinks of as anything that’s “helping people that are less fortunate.” For him, it was a trip to the US Holocaust Memo- rial Museum that helped Gabe see the connections between Jewish history and present-day genocides. “They give you a card of a person who was in the Holocaust, and you find out if that person survived at the end of your visit. My whole family got cards of people who died.”

Moved by the history of the Jewish people, Gabe speaks passionately about his belief that “we have to help. It’s the saying we have: Never again. We mean genocide should never happen again, so we have to help when it is happening.”

Gabe at a walk he organized last year to raise awareness about what’s happening in Darfur. Gabe became passionate about helping Darfurians in fifth grade.

30 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 31 Taan Shapiro, Age 29

Keshet is a national grassroots organization that works for the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) Jews in Jewish life. Led and supported by GLBT Jews and straight allies, Keshet offers resources, trainings, and technical assistance to create inclusive Jewish communities nationwide.

284 Amory Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02131 617-534-9227 • www.keshetonline.org

32 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Taan’s story is a lot like many young, practicing Jews. “I grew up secular in Cleveland, Ohio. I went to Hebrew School for a bit, but my parents didn’t like it and took me out. In high school, I got pulled into a Jewish youth group. Then, I started to understand that I wanted Juda- ism to play a role in my life. As an undergrad, I went to services more regularly. Now, living in Boston, I go on a weekly basis to a Reform congregation.”

However, unlike many Jews, Taan is openly transgender, not identifying as male or female, but some of each and all of neither. “Pronouns like he/him or she/her don’t fit how I feel about myself,” says Taan.

Taan thinks everyone should explore their gender identity. “It’s about learning about ourselves. Even if you go shopping and never think twice about which clothing section to shop in, by reflecting on your gender you will learn about yourself and, in turn, Taan engages with others in your community who may not service this way to fit into gender boxes.” create space within the Taan is co-chair of the Transgender Jewish community for Working Group (TWiG) of Keshet. Keshet helps Jewish communities around the all Jews with complex country become more inclusive of gay gender identities. and lesbian Jews. Now, Keshet is taking on inclusivity for a less understood population of Jews: transgender Jews. As part of TWiG, Taan is working on writing curriculum for Jewish institutions. Including text study and activities, it focuses on helping people understand their own gender and inclusivity of people of various gender identities.

“We’re testing the curriculum with some small, local Jewish institutions and a synagogue.” Indeed, Keshet staff recently facilitated a training focused on gender for the entire staff of a Jewish school that has an openly transgender student.

Taan engages with service this way to create space within the Jewish community for all Jews with complex gender identities. “Whenever I have a conversation with someone about gender variance, I’m doing service work,” says Taan. “I have a friend who I knew had the ability to be a really strong advocate, but it took a lot of patience and non- judgmental conversation. Now, that friend advocates and provides that service for others. If someone else asks my friend, ‘Why doesn’t Taan use pronouns?’ they can say why.”

Taan defines service broadly, including being an ambassador for inclusiveness “Whenever I have a conversation with someone about gender variance, I’m doing service work,” says Taan, co-chair of the Transgender Working Group at Keshet.

32 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 33 Trevor Brandt-Sarif, Age 18

MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger is a national nonprofit organization that allocates donations from the Jewish community to prevent and alleviate hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds.

10495 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90025 800-813-0557 • www.mazon.org

34 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable “I’d like to get a job. And I will be studying Krav Maga intensely. I want to learn more Hebrew this year, and possibly even take up piano,” Trevor says, as he touches on just a few of his many goals for the “gap year” he’s chosen to take off between high school and college.

In 2011, Trevor will attend Harvard College, although he’s far from deciding whether to major in math, engineering, statistics, economics or public policy. “I have so many varied interests!” Add to this list his service work toward ending the injustice of hunger.

“I’ve traveled a lot with my dad, and we’ve visited too many places where people are suffering from hunger. It troubles me that large populations here in the United States and abroad go without something as basic as food. I don’t understand how the system allows it.” "I've visited too many Aware of Trevor’s commitment to places where people are hunger-related issues, a family friend recommended he get involved suffering from hunger. with MAZON: A Jewish Response to It troubles me that large Hunger. After starting as a volunteer, populations here in the Trevor now works part-time for MA- ZON, encouraging clergy to discuss United States and abroad issues of hunger and food insecurity go without something as with their congregants. basic as food. I don't Motivating Jews to get involved understand how the system in helping people who are at risk allows it." of hunger, regardless of whether they’re Jewish, makes sense to Trevor, who is Modern Orthodox. “Judaism demands that we think about serious issues. We’re obligated to take moral stands. I’m proud to come from a nation of people that has influenced the world’s values and is still committed to doing the right thing.”

Trevor, who prides himself on his logical approach to the world, says doing the right thing is about more than making yourself feel good. “I don’t think volunteering should feel like a novelty or only be about getting required hours for school. We all should devote more time to fighting for important issues like hunger relief. It’s vital that we all step up and give it our all.”

Trevor graduated last June and is taking a year off before attending Harvard College. In the meantime, he’s been reaching out through MAZON to clergy, spreading awareness about food insecurity issues.

34 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 35 Joanna Packer, Age 24

The New Israel Fund is the leading organization advancing democracy, justice and equality for all members of Israeli society. Since 1979, NIF has worked to protect civil and human rights, bridge the social and economic gaps in Israeli society, promote tolerance and religious pluralism and protect Israel’s environment.

330 7th Avenue, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10001 212-613-4400 • www.nif.org

36 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable “I went to a Conservative synagogue growing up, but I wasn’t very religious. Especially through my teens I wasn’t involved in the organized Jewish world. Now, taking part in the Jewish social justice work is my way of expressing my Judaism. I’m not so drawn to prayer, but I like learning with other people who want to change the world for the better.”

Until she actually went to Israel, Joanna knew little about it. All of that changed on a Birthright trip in 2007. Joanna says she felt an immedi- ate connection to the country, her Judaism and her service project placement at the African Refugee Development Center. Afterward, she applied to become a New Israel Fund (NIF) Social Justice Fellow and, after being accepted, embarked on a “life-shaping” 10-month placement. In Israel, she taught English and Hebrew to African refugees, who live in a state of "Taking part in the Jewish limbo because of unclear and social justice work is my way hotly debated laws around refugee access to civil rights. of expressing my Judaism. I'm not so drawn to prayer, but I Joanna remembers that, after like learning with other people her first experience volunteering in Israel, “talking to people and who want to change the world then painting some walls and for the better." going home just didn’t feel right. I wanted to go back. I wanted to work toward change that would last.” Her relationship to service had shifted. “I’m interested in service that is more than a one-day fix. It’s important that it involves relationship-building, whatever kind of work you’re doing.”

“I want the opportunity I had through New Israel Fund to become per- vasive in the Jewish community. After college, everyone should do a year of service and learn about tools for giving back, just like how NIF taught us. This is the kind of Judaism that I didn’t know existed growing up.”

Now living and working in Boston, Joanna teaches Sunday school in a school committed to secular Jewish values and has a vibrant Jewish community. Her dream is to run her own organization focusing on supporting African refugees.

Joanna with students, on the last day of class at the African Refugee Development Center in Tel Aviv, where she taught English to students from Sudan, Congo and Ivory Coast.

36 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 37 Anne Hromadka, Age 30

Progressive Jewish Alliance engages Jews of diverse backgrounds to learn, lead and act in local communities to create a just and equal society. PJA connects Jews to social justice issues of the day, to the life of the cities in which they live, and to the Jewish tradition of working for tikkun olam.

5870 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036 323-761-8350 • www.pjalliance.org

38 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Last Passover, Anne posed a question to two busloads of activists traveling through East Los Angeles: “Why is it that in some parts of Los Angeles one can purchase both healthy food and unhealthy food, but in food deserts one is often forced to purchase unhealthy food?”

Anne is working with the Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA) to transform the food deserts (areas with minimal access to healthy foods) of Los Angeles, bringing access to healthy food and opportunities for good jobs to neighborhoods lacking both. The seeds of this work were plant- ed in Anne’s upbringing: Anne was raised in the South, surrounded by a family equal parts soul food and Judaism. “Soul food is about the community that’s created around sharing food,” says Anne. “Comfort, love and care goes into each recipe.”

Anne’s passions for Judaism and social justice intersect at PJA. “When I first studied social justice through my graduate work, it was very theoretical,” she says. That changed when Anne participated in PJA’s Jeremiah Fellowship, a program that educates and trains a cohort of young adults to become social justice changemakers. After the fellowship, Anne joined PJA’s Economic Justice Working Group, which tackles social justice needs in their community—everything from campaigns for a living wage to the Achieving social change eradication of sweatshops. requires persistence,

Anne takes inspiration from the patience and time, “talmudic concept that you don’t reminding Anne of her have to complete the work, but favorite family recipes neither can you desist from it.” Whether someone is doing a “one- time activity that is meaningful and serves a deep purpose to make community improvements” or has developed an “ongoing relationship with a situation, topic, or community,” Anne says it’s all important. “What motivates a person out of a space of complacency toward action isn’t the same for everyone.”

As everyone who works to create a better world knows, achieving social change requires persistence, patience and time, reminding Anne of her favorite family recipes. “My father’s family is Cajun, from Central Louisiana, and my aunts now make the beignets my grandmother once made, they’re my comfort food.” Much like her work for social justice, her family beignets are “difficult to make well, but possible with a whole lot of love involved.”

In March, Anne spoke inside the historic Breed Street Shul during a Progressive Jewish Alliance bus tour of food deserts in East Los Angeles.

38 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 39 Rabbi Ethan Linden, Age 33

The Rabbinical Assembly is the international association of Conserva- tive rabbis and is the creative force shaping the ideology, programs, and practices of the Conservative Movement. Committed to strengthening the totality of Jewish life, our rabbis serve congregations throughout the world, and work as educators, officers of communal service organizations, and chaplains.

3080 Broadway, New York, NY 10027 212-280-6000 • www.rabbinicalassembly.org

40 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable “Heschel says that the goal of a prophecy is to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. I’m not a prophet, but my goal is to push my congregants,” says Ethan, who is currently searching for a community need that his New Orleans congregation can work to fill.

One year ago, the Rabbinical Assembly posted a job announcement for Shir Chadash, a Conservative congregation in New Orleans. “I was looking for a way to help a Jewish community, especially a community that was eager to try new things and connect to social justice. I showed the job posting to my wife, and we were both excited, especially as we learned more about New Orleans.” Ethan, who was raised in Philadelphia, knew little about New Orleans before he moved South.

Ethan has spent a year adjusting to the warm weather, learning that the South isn’t monolithic and listening to stories of inequality that exist, many that began before Hur- ricane Katrina. Now, he is on a quest. “I want to work with A community organizer at my community to figure out heart, Ethan sees working on what major challenges my Jewish community can com- community issues across race mit to working on.” A com- and class lines as a way to build munity organizer at heart, Ethan sees working on com- his Jewish community, munity issues across race and class lines as a way to build his Jewish community, if done strategically. “What can we make an impact on, and what will bring us closer as a community?”

“I love Jewish text and tradition. I want to find a way to have people care for these elements of Judaism and make them a part of their lives. From keeping kosher to pursuing a better world, part of the goal of the Jewish religion is to give people a sense of things that exist beyond their personal lives. Your desire for cheeseburgers or to go to the movies on a Saturday night is not the most important thing. Many people in my congregation live a life that is largely within their own control and that’s something that gives us a certain responsibility to work for the benefit of others.”

“Keeping kosher and keeping Shabbat elevate the sense of urgency to create a more fair and just peaceful society, and vice versa,” he says. “A more peaceful society elevates and sanctifies the mitzvah of Shabbat.”

“From keeping kosher to pursing a better world, part of the goal of the Jewish religion is to give people a sense of things that exist beyond their concerns,” says Ethan.

40 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 41 Anya Manning, Age 25

Repair the World’s mission is to make service a defining element of Jew- ish life, learning and leadership. It creates effective opportunities to serve, bring more young people into service and connect service to Jewish learning and values. It envisions an inspired Jewish community fully engaged in and committed to repairing the world.

555 8th Avenue, Suite 1703, New York, NY 10024 646-695-2700 • www.werepair.org

42 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable In college, Anya and her sister volunteered for six weeks in Guatemala City with a program that provides educational and financial support to children who were living and working in the garbage dumps. Anya felt satisfied with herself when she returned. Then, a friend challenged her to think bigger. “I remember my friend saying, ‘So, you had a fun and meaningful experience, but now what are you going to do?’”

Inspired, she put up signs around the Barnard College campus for a service trip back to the same community. So many people were interested that she had to make an application, admitting now, “I had no idea what I was doing. No money and no plan!” Together, the group fundraised and planned, meeting "All Jews should have an weekly for three months before opportunity to do work the trip. The trip was life-changing they're excited about for Anya. “I saw how meaningful a longer-term commitment to a through a Jewish lens." community or organization could really be.” Little did Anya know then, Guatemala was just the beginning of the work she would embark on to connect Jews to meaningful service experiences.

Now the program and education associate for Repair the World, Anya spends her days making those links. “We’re working to expand the field of Jewish service and service learning so all Jews have an opportunity to do work they’re excited about through a Jewish lens.”

“I’m proud to say that my career is a direct outgrowth of the opportunities I found during high school and college,” she adds. “I’m grateful that there is a field around Jewish service beginning to take form, so I can make a career out of my passions.”

The growing field has changed the way she defines service. “The people who are on service trips, who are ‘serving,’ are also served. They’re really moved and changed by their powerful experiences.” The thousands who have gone through service learning experiences are sharing with their communities. “At this point, many service learning programs are turning people away! This is the beginning of a shift in the Jewish community.”

Besides making sure that all Jews have an opportunity to participate in service learning, Anya hopes to see something else achieved: “Most importantly, I want to see a shift in the Jewish psyche. Service is a way to act Jewish, just like we think prayer is a Jewish act, so is service.”

Anya, pictured during a family day hosted by Safe Passages, which helps young people find alternatives to scavenging in garbage dumps.

42 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Praying With Our Legs 43 Members of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable

American Jewish World Service Jewish Reconstructionist Federation AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps Jewish World Watch

The PANIM Institute of BBYO Keshet

Hazon Mazon: A Jewish Response To Hunger Jewish Community Action National Council of Jewish Jewish Community Federation Women of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties New Israel Fund

Jewish Community Relations Progressive Jewish Alliance/ Council of Greater Boston Jews United for Justice

Jewish Council for Public Affairs The Rabbinical Assembly

Jewish Council on Urban Affairs Repair the World

Jewish Funds for Justice Union for Reform Judaism/ Religious Action Center Jewish Organizing Initiative of Reform Judaism/Just Congregations

44 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Top row: Taan, Anne, Joanna, Anya Second row: Ethan, Trevor, Jackie, Leah Third row: Alexandra, Matt, Ruhi, Dani Fourth row: Rachel, Dan, Gabe, Elyssa Bottom row: Sasha, 44 Jewish Social Justice Roundtable Hannah, Stephan “I felt that Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, on marching my legs were for civil rights with Dr. praying.” Martin Luther King