Category Archives: Washington, D.C.
Beyond the Bayit: DC’s First Joint Alumni and Corps Members Retreat
For the first time, Avodah DC’s spring retreat brought together current Corps Members and alumni from the two previous cohorts—a weekend that showed what it looks like when the connections made in the bayit (communal home) extend beyond the service year.
Jewish Service Corps Member Connects Communities to Climate Action
Meet Oscar, an Avodah Jewish Service Corps Member at Food & Water Watch in Washington, D.C., where he’s mobilizing people to make their voices heard. As he puts it, “We have more say and power, and it’s our responsibility to keep fighting for it.”
Crisis in the Capital: Avodahniks in conversation on the Federal Takeover of D.C.
The federal takeover of Washington, D.C., has escalated the crisis for the city’s unhoused population. Avodah CEO Cheryl Cook spoke with two Avodahniks on the front lines of this fight.
How the Jewish community organizes through relationships in challenging times
Avodahniks participate in a panel on the power of relationships to addressing a the most pressing issues in the US.
Celebrating 20 Years of Avodah in Washington, D.C
Meet the Service Corps Member and alum who work together at CASA, helping hundreds navigate the immigration system.
Growing Greens and Environmental Justice Values
Learn how our Corps Members connected to the Shmita year through community-based agriculture and climate justice.
Rallying for Reproductive Rights
The Avodah community in DC rallied on Capitol Hill to fight for reproductive freedom after it was leaked that the Supreme Court intends to overturn Roe V. Wade.
Alumni Perspectives: Jane Yamaykin on Building a Life in DC Post-Service Corps
Jane Yamaykin was a DC Service Corps Member in 2008-2009. She now works as the Associate Director of Engagement & Leadership at the National Council for Jewish Women (NCJW). Jane reflected on the impact her Service Corps participation has had … Continue reading
Alumni Spotlight: Eytan Deener-Agus Brings a New Lens to Refugee Resettlement Work
Eytan Deener-Agus is a Boston native who participated in our DC Service Corps program in 2020-2021. He now works for Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), helping with refugee resettlement. We spoke with him about his Avodah … Continue reading
Centering Clients in Justice Work: Q&A with Corps Member Nina McKay
Nina McKay is one of our 2021-2022 DC Service Corps Members. She grew up just outside of Philadelphia and recently graduated from Bowdoin College with a degree in history and religious studies. We spoke with her about her service year … Continue reading
A Generational Ripple Effect: Q&A with Corps Member Zoë Mermelstein
Zoë Mermelstein is a member of our 2021-2022 DC Service Corps cohort. Prior to becoming a Corps Member, Zoë graduated with honors from Brown University and holds a degree in History & Classics. We asked her to share a bit … Continue reading
Helping Move Others to Brighter Futures: Elianna’s Service Year in Review
Elianna has spent the last year serving as the Montgomery County Community Organizer for Jews United for Justice (JUFJ). The organization’s work spans issues including state-level immigrant rights, prison reform, and police accountability. Continue reading
Connecting with Divinity: Q&A with Service Corps Member Francesca Rubinson
In honor of Avodah’s 2020-2021 Jewish Service Corps graduation, we’re highlighting some of our outgoing Corps Members. We spoke with Francesca Rubinson, a member of our D.C. cohort about her next steps after Avodah. Where were you placed for your … Continue reading
Pieces of a Puzzle: Mandy Peskin’s Avodah Journey
Mandy Peskin spent this year serving as a legal clinic coordinator at Bread for the City, as part of Avodah’s Jewish Service Corps. The organization focuses on eviction defense, family law for survivors of domestic abuse, and helping people access … Continue reading
Finding Community: Q&A with Avodah Alum Rakhel Silverman
In honor of Pride Month, we’re spotlighting queer Avodah alumni leaders like Rakhel Silverman. We sat down with them to discuss their experiences and work as a queer Jewish person. What was your year with Avodah like? I did the … Continue reading
Social Work with Heart: A Conversation with Avodah Alum Camellia Heart
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we spoke with mental health professional and Avodah Service Corps alumna Camellia Heart about her experiences in the field. Camellia Heart had just finished college at University of Georgia and was looking for … Continue reading
Connecting to Climate: Q&A with a Climate Justice Professional
Dahlia Rockowitz is an alumna of Avodah’s Service Corps program and climate justice advocate. Since completing the Service Corps in 2009, she has held multiple roles in the climate justice space, and recently became the Washington Director of Dayenu: A … Continue reading
Taking Climate Action Through Environmental Justice in Avodah’s Jewish Service Corps
“Climate justice intersects with all the other justice issues,” says Noa Gordon-Guterman. “The Earth houses all of both the beautiful work and all of our flaws as a human people. When the Earth is hurting, human beings are hurting as … Continue reading
Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month
The following remarks were given by Rabbi Lauren Tuchman, Avodah’s Ruach Avodah Spiritual Advisor, on February 3, 2021/22 Shvat, 5781 at the #JDAM (Jewish Disability Awareness Month) kickoff, hosted by Jewish Federations of North America. I would like to begin … Continue reading
Statement on Today’s Insurrection at The U.S. Capitol
To our Avodah community: As of 5 p.m. ET, all Avodah D.C. Corps Members who were out of the Bayit providing essential services to clients across the District were home safely and adhering to the curfew ordered by the D.C. … Continue reading
Avodah DC Corps Members Volunteer as Voter Guardians in Historic 2020 Election
In an election fraught with anti-immigrant rhetoric and threats of voter suppression, Avodah DC Corps Members Francesca Rubinson and Jordan Pollack visited Pennsylvania on Election Day to serve as voter guardians for those who might have faced intimidation at the … Continue reading
Alumna Jenna Gold on Avodah’s Continued Impact
Jenna Gold originally gave this acceptance speech at Avodah DC’s 2019 Partners in Justice event on May 22, 2019 at Adas Israel Congregation. There are currently 1,076 Avodah alumni. I am just one of them. My Avodah story is both … Continue reading