We asked the Executive Directors of AVODAH (Marilyn Sneiderman) and AJWS (Ruth Messinger): What is your New Year’s Resolution?
The American Jewish community is bursting with talent, good will, and activity. Whether we’re helping to rebuild Haiti, responding to the forest fires in northern Israel, or advocating for equitable labor practices in the United States, I am proud that our community is deeply engaged in fighting injustice. I have enormous respect for the growing number of groups and organizations – local and global – that are alleviating poverty and hunger and securing human rights. But I believe we could all benefit from greater collaboration and partnership. So, this year, my New Year’s Resolution is to continue to maximize collaboration between and among social justice organizations, and to share knowledge and best practices as we work for justice in every corner of our global community.
-Ruth Messinger
My New Year’s resolution for the next year (and hopefully many after) is to integrate service work and organizing for systemic change so that we can help people move from poverty, hopelessness, and despair to become activists who seize control of and change their lives, their communities, and society.
While we absolutely need to provide sustenance and services to people in need, providing certain kinds of direct service repeatedly does not actually change the dynamics of poverty. We also have to work for systemic change to genuinely address the underlying conditions that contribute to the cycle of poverty so that people in need aren’t constantly dependent on others. An essential part of that process is engaging those who are affected by these issues in the process of change.
Within the Jewish community there are increasing numbers of young Jewish adults who believe that it is their responsibility to change the world and make it a more just place. At AVODAH and Pursue we provide the space and the training to enable these young Jews to grow into life-long agents for social change. As I look toward the future, I am inspired and excited to be at the helm of an organization that will work toward integrating service and systemic change.
-Marilyn Sneiderman
What is YOUR New Year’s resolution?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I had never heard of Avodah before my daughter applied to the program last year. She is working at N Street Village in Washington DC. We visited her over Christmas weekend and assisted serving Christmas dinner to the residents on Saturday. We also met several of Larissa’s housemates. I applaud Avodah for the experiences it is providing for its participants. It has opened a new vision and perspective to my daughter’s life. She now wants to remain in DC and continue the work she has started this year.
Thank you.
How wonderful that you were able to experience her placement and meet her partners in social change work!
Thank you for your kind words of support of AVODAH’s work – we are honored to grow and learn with Larissa this year.
-Marilyn
Debbie, it is so gratifying to read your comments. It makes what those of us on staff at AVODAH work for feel that much more compelling! I would be remiss if I didn’t put in a plug and ask — since you said you’d never hear of AVODAH until your daughter applied to the program — that you help spread the word, particularly at this time, as we actively recruit participants for next year. (The application can be found online at http://avodah.net/apply/) And since we’re in the midst of year-end fundraising, I’ll also use this opportunity to ask those reading this post to support AVODAH by making a secure online donation at https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=16546. Happy new year!
Karen Elam, AVODAH Director of Development and Communications