Last year we asked Pursue’s matriarchs to share their New Year’s resolutions. One year later, we asked them to reflect and share their commitments for 2012 (to read last year’s resolutions, click here).
Last year I committed to trying to figure out how service work can be done in partnership with work for systemic change. One week, one month, one year is not near enough to rise to the challenges marginalized individuals face in a time of recession and economic crisis.
In 2011 we responded by completely changing the way we conceive of our work. The AVODAH experience begins with a Corps year in each of our hub cities. The real work begins when these young leaders have concluded their time at their placements and disperse to grow an energetic, sustainable movement for social change with the support of the AVODAH network. With this paradigm shift we are playing a crucial role in engaging and involving young Jews in fighting growing poverty in the United States both through service work and community organizing.
This year I commit to supporting alumni of Jewish service and social justice organizations as they partner with the dispossesed and win justice for the poorest among us. None of us can achieve justice on our own.
-Marilyn Sneiderman, Executive Director of AVODAH
