Avodah JOC (Jews of Color) Bayit

Avodah is proud to announce the New York City Jews of Color (JOC) Bayit 2022-2023 program year is now accepting applications. Spend a year in the Jewish Service Corps working at a leading anti-poverty nonprofit in New York City while living with other Jews of Color. Our Corps Members live and learn together in a supportive, pluralistic community at the crossroads of justice and Jewish life.

We know that all too often, the Jewish community does not provide enough opportunities designed to specifically develop the leadership of Jews of Color and create a pipeline of JOC leaders. We are excited to offer for a second year an environment in our Service Corps that is targeted to nurture the leadership of Jews of Color and pave the way for JOCs to lead our community in movements for social justice.

A JOC Bayit will provide the opportunity for JOC Corps Members to:

• Live in a diverse, pluralistic Jewish community as a majority

• Foster a deeper connection to Judaism

• Grow as aspiring Jewish Leaders in a culturally competent space

• Engage in deep learning with white identified Service Corps members, while  maintaining a space to disconnect when necessary

• Build community with New York-based JOCs and JOC facing organizations

• Connect with JOC alumni and continue to build your JOC network in partnership with our JOCSM Alumni Advisory Council (JOCSM AAC)

For Jews of Color, living communally with predominantly white Jews can be challenging and draining. This space will enable JOCs to devote their energy to personal development, self-care, and community building that will only enhance and sustain their work for justice. For some of the JOC Service Corps members, this will be their first opportunity to exist in a Jewish space as a part of a majority. 

Service Corps participants will spend their days working with a leading social justice non-profit, and their evenings building intentional community with the members of their cohort.  All Service Corps participants will receive a monthly stipend, subsidized housing, health insurance, and a transportation allowance.

Who should apply?

Self identified Jews of Color between the ages of 21-26 that are excited about living in a JOC-only space and are passionate about social justice are strongly encouraged to apply.

We’re sure you have a lot questions – For more information please see our FAQ page or reach out to our Manager of Racial Justice Initiatives, Nate Looney at [email protected]

Avodah Alumni Stats

1 in 10

alumni is a CEO, Executive Director, or senior leader at their workplace.

82%

of alumni currently work within the social service, social justice, and/or anti-poverty fields.

36%

were offered positions at their placement organization after completing Avodah

Learn About Avodah’s Racial Justice Work

Racial Justice Guide

Avodah’s Racial Justice Guide is intended to be a resource for Jewish nonprofit organizations. It has been written for all stages of leadership, as racial justice and inclusion are everyone’s responsibilities. You can view our interactive Racial Justice Guide here and the materials are also available to download as a PDF format.

Speak Torah to Power

“Speak Torah to Power” is a groundbreaking speaker series that connects today’s most pressing social justice issues with Jewish wisdom to guide us in doing transformative work in the world. In this series, six leading Jewish educators from across the United States explore the connection between activism, service, spirituality, community, Jewish wisdom and the events of our day.

Press & Resources

Beyond the Count: Perspectives and Lived Experiences of Jews of Color

Top 5 Teachings from Beyond the Count

The case for reparations, according to two Jews living in the first American city to offer them

Few American Jews are non-White, but a new poll shows that is likely to change