Category Archives: Chicago
Leaning In: A Conversation with Avodah Alum and JCUA Executive Director, Jessica Schaffer
Jessica reflects on the power of building relationships, the importance of coalition work, and why, in difficult moments, we must continue to lean in. Continue reading
From Service Corps to Board Chair: A Conversation with Ilana Zafran Walden, Avodah’s First Alum Board Chair
Outgoing Board Chair Ilana Zafran Walden reflects on her journey, leadership, and hopes for Avodah’s future. Continue reading
Showing up for our community partners in a time of uncertainty
Rippling from Avodah to our placements to Chicago’s larger community, a simple but powerful message: “You are not alone.”
Avodah Means Labor: Celebrating Avodahniks in the Labor Movement
Here are stories from just a few of the many Avodahniks organizing to build worker power and a more just United States.
Avodah Transforms Apathy into Energy
Meet a Service Corps Member whose year at Avodah taught her how to strategize for long-term success.
Growing Greens and Environmental Justice Values
Learn how our Corps Members connected to the Shmita year through community-based agriculture and climate justice.
Alumni Spotlight: Laura Landau’s Service Corps Social Experiment
Learn how an alum’s year in the Service Corps led to a career of researching cooperative decision-making and mutual aid groups.
Alumni Spotlight: Hannah Recht, Immigrant Justice and Climate Justice Organizer
Hannah Recht (Chicago Service Corps, 2017-2018) has a passion for organizing that’s taken her across the U.S. — and abroad! After graduating from Tufts University and working on the 2016 election, she relocated to Jerusalem for a movement-building, Jewish-Palestinian solidarity … Continue reading
Alumni Spotlight: Rachel Davidson on the Thousands of Youth Impacted by Disjointed Immigration System
Rachel Davidson (Chicago Service Corps, 2006-2007) is the Managing Attorney for Policy and Special Projects at The Door in New York City and the founder of the End SIJS Backlog Coalition, which recently published its first report on the Special … Continue reading
Pushing Back Against the Darkness: Reflecting on Chanukah as an Avodah Alumnus
Benjamin Altshuler (he/him), is the Rabbi of Mount Sinai Congregation in Wausau, WI and an alumnus of the Avodah Jewish Service Corps (Chicago, 2013-2014). He spent the year serving at Friedman Place, a supportive living facility for adults who are … Continue reading
Social Justice, Queerness and Religion: Chatting with Avodah Alum Abi Weber
In honor of Pride Month, we are highlighting queer Avodah alumni like Abi Weber. We sat down to talk about her experiences as a queer Jew who was recently ordained as a rabbi. Abi Weber (Avodah Chicago alum 2011-2012) has … Continue reading
Home, Health and Hope: Avodah Service Corps Member Mira Warmflash on serving Chicago’s Unhoused Population at Thresholds
Mire chose to serve in Chicago for the opportunity to work at Thresholds, an organization committed to providing housing, healthcare, and hope to thousands of underserved Chicagoans. Continue reading
In Loving Memory of Karen Lewis, a Force for Justice and Public Education
Avodah Chicago Corps Members Raise $20K for Black-Led Community Initiatives
Avodah Corps Members spend a year deeply immersed in the most pressing social justice issues of our time. So when powerful protests erupted across the nation in response to the murders of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Brionna Taylor, and … Continue reading
Strengthening Community During Unprecedented Times – by Chicago Corps Member Julie Schreiber
The following speech was given by Avodah Service Corps Member Julie Schreiber at Avodah’s 2020 virtual Partners in Justice Gala. How will we remember this time? I ask myself this every day. During crises – or “unprecedented times,” as our … Continue reading
Discovering My Identity with Avodah by Alumna Jessica Schaffer
Alumni Spotlight: From Corps Member to COO
In 2006, we placed Ilana Zafran Walden at Umoja Student Development Corporation in Chicago, where she continued to work for over a decade.