Avodah

Antisemitism is linked to the same systems of oppression that harm everyone—and our movements are stronger when we combat it together. Avodah’s Chief Program Officer Emilia Diamant breaks down what it means to approach antisemitism training from a social justice framework, and why our communities need it now.

This conversation is part of why we’re so excited to announce the launch of Community Engagement & Learning (CEL), Avodah’s new external education initiative. After 27 years of training social justice leaders, we’re bringing that expertise to Jewish and secular nonprofits, multi-faith communities, and Jewish professionals in our broader community, equipping them with the tools they need to hold complexity, bridge generational divides, and sustain values-led action.

Click here to learn more: https://avodah.net/community-engagement/

We asked our New Orleans Corps Members Maddie and Lena to share some lore from the NOLA bayit (communal house), and this one might be our favorite: The Soup Bracket. Every housemate makes a soup, and everyone scores each creation out of 400—because 400 is the gematria (numerical value) of the word “soup.” It’s equal parts community building, friendly competition, and the strong belief that soup rocks.

Gen Z is refusing to be gerrymandered out of democracy, and Avodah alumna and board member Samantha Pourciau is making sure lawmakers hear that. Sam has now testified twice before the Louisiana Senate in defense of fair redistricting maps. As a Senior Attorney at Avodah placement, Promise of Justice Initiative, Sam’s message was clear: when Representative Larvadain III asked whether people of younger generations would make Louisiana their home under these conditions, the real question was: Will you settle down and accept this proposed injustice as the new status quo? Sam’s answer was emphatic: “No, people will leave. Or not even come.”

Click here to read the whole story: https://avodah.net/gen-z-refuses-to-be-redistricted-out-of-their-future/

Our New Orleans Program Director Ed says it best—New Orleans isn’t just a city known for its legendary music and food or the magic of Mardi Gras. It’s civil rights history, it’s a q***r safe haven, and even a secret art city… if you know who to ask. What makes this city truly special is its community. Crisis after crisis, New Orleans continues to show up for itself. It’s “a world-class education in how we care for each other.”

Are you ready to call New Orleans home? Join Avodah’s Jewish Service Corps in NOLA at avodah.net/serve.

Earlier this year, we had the privilege of listening to Avodah alum Marni Loffman perform at our National Gathering, a four-day retreat that brought together our Jewish Service Corps Members from across the country. Here, Marni reflects on what it means to do justice work from a place of humility rather than righteousness:

“It's so important to always be rooted, for me, at least in the fact that I'm very imperfect and I'm always in process and learning, and there has to be room for repair and growth in my own self and in the work that I do.”

It’s a message that sits at the heart of a service year. There is always more that can be done to help the people around you, but you can still make a significant impact even when you’re constrained by time, ability, and resources.

Follow Marni at and listen to “Awaken” and more of their debut album, available on all streaming platforms.