We are excited to announce the ratification of our first collective bargaining agreement between Avodah Management and the Avodah Staff Union. This collaborative effort, undertaken by every member of our staff, was born out of a shared dedication to our mission in developing Jewish social justice leaders and inspiring the Jewish community to work toward a more just and equitable world.
This significant achievement codifies many benefits and policies that Avodah has long offered to support the well-being of our staff, including:
· A collaborative accommodations process
· Paid Time Off (PTO) for both Jewish and secular holidays
· Medical/dental/vision insurance coverage with 100% paid premiums for full-time staff and 50% paid premiums for part-time staff
· and more
To further support our staff and reflect our commitments to social and economic justice, this contract implements new and improved policies, including:
· A 38-hour work week with year-round early closures for Shabbats
· Extending our parental leave from 10 to 12 weeks
· A sabbatical policy
· Salary bands and committed annual cost-of-living raises
· Severance with extended healthcare coverage
· LGBTQ+ and trans inclusive leave policies
· Annual racial justice training for staff
Avodah CEO Cheryl Cook says, “I am proud to have reached our first union contract—an agreement that reflects Avodah’s deep commitment to justice, dignity, and the well-being of our staff. Together, we’ve built a model of collaboration and mutual respect at the bargaining table that reflects the values we live by every day. As a Jewish social justice organization, we believe that how we care for each other internally must mirror the world we are working to build. This contract is a testament to what’s possible when we lead with shared purpose, openness, and trust.”
Throughout Jewish texts and traditions, expectations of fair labor practices compel us to collectively ensure that all work is valued. “The Avodah Staff Union is beyond thrilled to ratify our first contract, joining a growing community of unionized Jewish nonprofits and taking our place in a long lineage of Jewish labor organizing,” said Lauren Fine, the Alumni Manager at Avodah. We are proud to be one of the several leaders in the Jewish nonprofit landscape that have done this work, including AJWS, JOIN for Justice, Bend the Arc, Jews United For Justice, and JCFS Chicago.
We are proud to move forward in a partnership that will strengthen our organization and Avodah’s community for years to come.
