New partnership between the two-well respected American Jewish institutions, opens access and support for Avodah Alumni to study at HUC-JIR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/20/2024
NEW YORK, NY. — Two well-known organizations committed to creating the next generation of American Jewish communal professionals are teaming up.
Avodah and Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, have established a partnership to strengthen the pipeline of talented young leaders that participate in both programs. Each organization’s educational opportunities will be promoted across key audiences to create a stronger, more intentional pipeline into professional Jewish communal leadership.
The partnership will also offer $5,000 in merit scholarship to Avodah Staff, Service Corps Alumni, Fellowship Alumni, Institute Alumni, and current program participants who are accepted applicants for each year that they are enrolled in eligible HUC-JIR degree programs. In addition, HUC-JIR will offer application fee waivers for Avodah staff, participants, and alumni.
“There is an urgent need for Jewish communal professionals with the exceptional leadership training and experience that Avodah and HUC-JIR provide,” says Erin Fine, Associate Director of Recruitment and Partnership Development. “This partnership will develop formal infrastructure so that these leaders will know where to gain the skills to meet this moment and serve our communities.”
“For many years Avodah alumni have enthusiastically participated in HUC-JIR educational offerings. Many go through both programs to become the rabbis, cantors, and nonprofit professionals that sustain Jewish communities across the United States,” says Avodah alumni manager Lauren Fine (no relation).
“As a product of both of these illustrious Jewish institutions, I applaud this effort to usher in the next generation of leaders committed to social justice.” says Rabbi Benjamin Altshuler, who serves at Temple Beth Israel-Shaare Zedek (Avodah ’14 / HUC-JIR ‘20).
About Avodah
Founded in 1998, Avodah develops lifelong social justice leaders whose work is informed by Jewish values and who inspire the Jewish community to work toward a more just and equitable world. Avodah’s programming provides leaders working within the Jewish community and beyond with the tools, networks, and spiritual nourishment to fight the root causes of injustice. Its many programmatic offerings include the Jewish Service Corps, the Avodah Justice Fellowship, and the Avodah Institute for Social Change.
About HUC-JIR
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion was founded in 1875 to provide rabbinical training for those who would offer progressive, enlightened, and modern spiritual leadership for the new American pulpit. Today, HUC-JIR is the premier Jewish seminary in North America and the academic, spiritual, and professional leadership development center of Reform Judaism. Learn more at HUC.edu.
