Executive Summary

The feasibility study is complete. This is the executive summary:

AVODAH was founded by Rabbi David Rosenn in 1998, and a group of activists and educators from across the spectrum of the American Jewish community. They were united by the sense that there was a disconnect between their involvement in Jewish life and their commitment to working for social change. Dedicated to the notion of "AVODAH" — a Hebrew word which encompasses spiritual, communal and work-related "service" — they joined forces to create the first and only Jewish service corps.

Concept and background

In August 2010 JHub commissioned me to conduct a three-month feasibility study into launching a residential social action and service organisation for Jews in their 20s in the UK, based on the AVODAH model launched in the USA in 1998. According to this model, participants “spend a year working on urban poverty issues as full-time employees in local non-profit organizations. During this year of service, participants live and study together, forming a community of people making a connection between social activism and Jewish life.

This feasibility study outlines research and development work carried out between September 2010 and January 2011, and presents a coherent plan for the set up of a new organisation under the working title of Avodah UK.

Key findings

Initial research suggests there is considerable appetite, across the full range of stakeholders, for a programme like Avodah UK.

The results of an online survey and interviews conducted with potential participants (i.e. current students and recent graduates) reveal a reasonable to high level of demand for a post-university (or equivalent) ‘sabbatical’ programme offering a Jewish community experience alongside ways into the charitable sector.

Through meetings and conversations with organisations addressing issues of urban poverty and social deprivation, a number of potential placements and partner organisations have been identified, including some already expressing a strong interest in taking on an Avodah UK participant.

The study has confirmed the most suitable location for the programme to be Hackney and/or Tower Hamlets, where there are: a high need for social action work, a well-established network of anti-poverty charities and NGOs, affordable housing, proximity to the City and corporate involvement, high appeal to young Jews seeking experience outside the traditional centres of Jewish life, connections to Jewish history, and the possibility of linking up with other communities to create an interfaith component.

The timing of the venture is apt. While the economic downturn and government spending cuts have increased pressure on NGOs and charities, hindering their ability to hire or subsidise new staff, some may view Avodah UK as an opportunity to bring in cheaper high-quality personnel. The proposed programme’s emphasis on community organising is very much in line with current trends and the recent rise of concepts such as ‘the Big Society’. Meanwhile, representatives of the Mayor’s Fund have expressed an immediate interest in encouraging Jews to take up social action work in London’s East End, and a partnership with the Jewish Volunteer Network, leading possibly to a pilot project with Avodah UK input, is already planned.

Importantly, AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, on which Avodah UK will be modelled, are also enthusiastic to support the project, offering their coaching, experience, management and expertise.

There is currently something of a zeitgeist in social justice year programmes for UK graduates and activists in their 20s – City Year and Mission Year, both fully established in the last twelve months, are examples in the wider secular and Christian communities. Avodah UK would add a strong, socially-progressive Jewish voice to the sector, facilitating positive community relations, enhancing the job prospects and skills of Jewish social activists, helping to tackle local poverty, and strengthening a meaningful, constructive Jewish identity among participants.

Given the current financial climate, the biggest challenge to the establishment of the programme may well be fundraising, especially convincing placements to contribute significantly to funding the participants working for them. However, if the project receives residency and support from JHub in 2011, initial prospects for achieving financial viability look positive.

It is recommended that a first cohort of six Avodah participants begin their placements in September 2012, giving the organisation sufficient time to promote the programme among students and equivalent, secure the best placements and partnerships, put in place a tailor-made curriculum, and collaborate across the Jewish and social justice communities. The number of participants will rise to eight for the second cohort and 10-15 for the third. Pending review of the first three years, Avodah UK will open new houses in other London or UK neighbourhoods, as appropriate to need, participant demand and organisational capacity.