JOIN FOR JUSTICE Overview

Geographic areas served: National

Programs: Young adults: The Jewish Organizing Fellowship is in its 14th year with 17 fellows in 19 placements. This program places young adults, aged 21-30, as organizers for change. Fellows receive high-level training and mentoring in leadership and community organizing skills as well as engage in intensive Jewish reflection and study, connecting their passion to build a more just world with Jewish values.

Clergy: The Seminary Leadership Project, in its 7th year, provides training for seminary students and mentoring for new clergy interested in applying organizing skills to increase community engagement. To date, over 200 students have participated in trainings at seminaries including Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion (in New York and Los Angeles), the Jewish Theological Seminary, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and American Jewish University. In addition to coursework, students may apply for internships with synagogues and broad-based community organizations (some in partnership with Just Congregations). Alumni receive mentoring as they put their learning into practice.

Jewish institutional leaders: Through our consulting arm, JOIN for Justice trains and mentors Jewish professionals across the country in how to apply organizing skills to build community and achieve collective goals. For example, throughout 2012, JOIN for Justice is training and mentoring top professional and volunteer leaders from eight Jewish social justice organizations across the country which are part of the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable. These individuals will lead their organizations in implementing a campaign focused on key emerging social justice issues.

All those interested in Jewish organizing: JOIN for Justice’s first National Summit will convene leaders for training, networking, and other learning opportunities. The Summit will offer high-level trainings, led by experts in the field, on the theory and practice of organizing and its relevance and relationship to the Jewish community.