United Jewish Communities(UJC) represents and serves 155 Jewish federations and 400 independent Jewish communities across North America, embodying the Jewish community’s unwavering commitment to the tradition of tikkun olam by advocating for the provision of essential human services and a just social policy agenda.
United Jewish Communities represents and serves one of the world's largest and most effective networks of social service providers and programs, enacting the federations’ pledge to “live generously,” by securing support for life-saving and life-enhancing humanitarian assistance programs in the United States, Israel and 60 other countries. It is the second largest philanthropy in North America.
Through a multi-dimensional approach to outreach and programming, United Jewish Communities strengthens the connection and contributes to greater understanding between Israel and the American Jewish community. While the UJC federation system advocates for Israel and its quest for peace, it remains a non-partisan organization unaligned with any particular political party in the United States or abroad.
United Jewish Communities promotes effective philanthropy. Hands-on volunteerism. Shared commitment. Collective action.
There are a number of different ways for you, as a student, to be a part of United Jewish Communities national and international efforts.
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE UNITED STATES:
Campus Campaigns – Help raise awareness on your campus, and in your congregation and social circles, about the work that the United Jewish Communities, in partnership with your community’s federation, does to assist people in need across this country and throughout the world. Learn more about UJC’s work on the national
http://www.ujc.org/page.html?ArticleID=121253 and community level.
Volunteer – Help to strengthen the connection between your Jewish community and the world, by lending a hand at one of the many organizations that your federation supports. To learn more about the work of your local federation and how to contact them, go to UJC’s
Jewish Finder Israel Emergency Campaign (IEC) – Participate in efforts on your campus and in the larger community to raise money for the IEC, a coordinated effort by United Jewish Communities and the Federations of North America to raise hundreds of millions of dollars to help Israel recover and rebuild after conflict and ongoing violence, including terrorist attack. The Israel Emergency Campaign is a vital fiscal safeguard in an ever changing world. Regardless of the current political situation in Israel, the campaign complements the funding and services we provide to Israel annually. One-hundred percent of money raised goes directly to our overseas partners, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the Jewish Agency for Israel, and to non-profit agencies they support, for their activities and programs in Israel that support the most vulnerable populations in Israel’s embattled north.
In response to Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah last summer, the IEC raised more than $350 million. During the crisis, funds went toward immediate, emergency relief efforts such as: bringing children in the embattled north to summer camps in relatively safer areas in central and southern Israel; counseling people suffering from trauma and training trauma counselors ; aiding the physically and/or developmentally disabled; delivering food and medical assistance to elderly dependent on home services suspended due to attacks; equipping shelters with air conditioners and offering temporary housing for those uprooted from conflict areas among other critical relief services. After the war ended, funds were directed toward three main areas, including education, community capacity, or helping communities deal with social issues, and economic opportunity, or providing financial aid to boost jobs and businesses.
The effort to rebuild Israel’s embattled North continues, and so must our support for the IEC.
Click here to be a part of this effort then click "Donate Now".
Semester or summer internship with UJC Washington— Apply to intern with UJC’s Washington office, which brings the voice of the community federations and 400 independent federations to Capitol Hill as a prominent force in health and human service policy decision making. UJC Interns will have the unique and unparalleled opportunity of exposure to a wide range of national public policy issues. Through this internship, interns will learn innovative approaches to stimulate community interest by organizing and informing local grassroots networks of Jewish federations. Learn more about internships available, please contact Francie Harris at
Francie.Harris@ujc.org.
OPPORTUNITIES IN ISRAEL SUPPORTED BY THE UJC
OTZMA – Looking for an exciting post-college experience? OTZMA is a service-based leadership development program offering young adults ages 20-26 the unique opportunity to contribute and acquire an in-depth understanding of Israel. The 10-month OTZMA program combines social action, civil rights and community building. Spend three months in an absorption center learning Hebrew, three months doing community service using your skills in a development town and three months either on a kibbutz or participating in an internship! For more information check out our website at
www.otzma.org or contact us at
otzma@ujc.org.
Taglit-birthright israel (BRI) — Take a free ten-day, educational trip to Israel with Taglit-birthright israel, one of the diaspora’s most successful programs. All young Jewish adults, ages 18-26, who have never before been on an organized trip to Israel are eligible to apply. Participation in Taglit-birthright israel has a positive long-term impact on many people’s lives. Research shows that BRI alumni :
- Have a stronger connection to Israel, the Jewish people and their Jewish identity;
- Are more likely to want to marry and to raise their children Jewishly;
- Evince a greater understanding of Israeli society and history; and
- Are more directly involved in Jewish activities on their college campuses.
Scholarships— Many local federations administer scholarship funds for Israel travel and programs. There is a list with detailed information about many of the federations that offer such scholarships http://www.ujcinteroffice.org/local_includes/downloads/16299.doc . If your federation is not on the list, contact them directly to inquire, as the list may not be complete. Learn how to contact your federation.
For more information about any of these opportunities to get involved with the United Jewish Communities, please contact us.
Telephone: (202)785-5900
Email: dc@ujc.org
Website: http://www.ujc.org