Why Apply to JOI?
The Fellowship
The Jewish Organizing Initiative (JOI) builds a vibrant, pluralistic community of Jewish young adults who learn grassroots community organizing, explore their Jewish identity together, and become leaders in the pursuit of social justice.
Our year-long paid community organizing fellowship is a year of field experience and professional development for young Jewish adults (21-30) who are interested in systemic change and community building.
Join a growing movement of social justice leaders equipped with the powerful skills of community organizing and grounded in their Jewish heritage.
What does JOI offer Fellows?
JOI offers Fellows a number of key opportunities:
- a community organizing placement in which they can grow as an organizers, taking on increasing responsibility over time
- an opportunity to learn and practice organizing skills and reflect on their use of them
- an opportunity to experience Shabbat, holidays, and Jewish learning with each other and with Jewish leaders and role models
- an opportunity for ongoing professional and personal (Jewish) growth
- a community in which to do these things and reflect on each person’s organizing, leadership and Jewish identities and how each person can uniquely draw on this synthesis to contribute to the larger world
None of these are stand-alone opportunities since each impacts the other and the key is for JOI to help Fellows explore these ideas, skills and experiences and their intersection.
Applicants: We are looking for passion, commitment, and a drive to work for social justice. We want people who are interested in co-creating a pluralistic Jewish community and who want to know more about their roots and what Judaism teaches about social justice. JOI Fellows are critical thinkers who see problems in the world and have some track record of working to address these issues. [Fellowship Application]
Organizing Placement: Fellows work as full-time paid grassroots organizers with organizations in the Boston region that are working for social change. Past placements include the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, UNITE HERE Local 26, Chelsea Neighborhood Housing Services, Jewish Community Relations Council, North Shore Labor Council, Boston Youth Organizing Project, Keshet, Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation and Stand for Children. [Organizing Placement Info]
JOI Curriculum: Our JOI training program consists of regular, intensive workshops and reflection on core organizing skills and concepts such as campaign building, power analysis, and leadership development. To give context to the work we do, we also study Jewish texts, history, and Mussar, a traditional form of Jewish reflective practice. JOI trainers include veteran organizers, seasoned activists, rabbis and Jewish professionals. Building a pluralistic Jewish community is also an important component of our program, and once a month Fellows come together to celebrate Shabbat. [JOI Curriculum Info]
