JCC Association of North America is proud to announce the members of the third cohort of the Tzedek: Jewish Service-Learning Cohort, an initiative developed in partnership with Repair the World. Tzedek, which means “justice” in Hebrew, aims to train JCC professionals across North America to design and implement meaningful Jewish service-learning opportunities, enhancing both their professional skills and the programs offered at their JCCs.
Part of the JCC Talent initiative, Tzedek is designed to equip its trained members with skills to create and deliver impactful Jewish service-learning experiences. Participants receive training on the four key components of Jewish service-learning, which include issue area education, Jewish lens, hands on service, and reflection, empowering them to make their “Tzedek projects” meaningful and successful for their JCCs and surrounding communities. Each Tzedek member receives a $500 stipend to bring their unique project to life, supporting both personal and community growth through service.
Last week, Tzedek cohort members gathered in person at JCC Association’s New York City offices for an immersive training and community service project. Participants volunteered with Brooklyn Book Bodega, a nonprofit organization that provides children ages 0–18 across New York City with access to books for their homes. Through their service, the Tzedek volunteers learned about literacy inequity and helped prepare over 1,000 books for distribution.
“Following a year of turmoil in Israel, extreme polarization in our own communities, and a palpable uncertainty about the safety and security of Jewish life, the Tzedek initiative gives me real hope that JCCs and JCC professionals are doing the work of building a better, more inclusive, more accessible, stronger world,” shares Carrie Darsky, JCC Association chief talent officer. “Our responsibility to one another is a core component of service learning, and last week’s immersive training reinforced this tenet, in part, by offering a session on how to include service-learning opportunities for families at our JCCs. Nothing should give us more hope than families participating together in Jewish learning and service projects—strengthening the family unit, affirming a foundation in tzedakah (charity) and tikkun olam (repair of the world), and further enabling our communities to thrive.”
Since its inception in 2022, Tzedek has had a profound effect on JCCs, fostering a significant culture of service and learning across communities. The initiative has inspired more than 10,000 acts of service and learning, which have mobilized nearly 7,500 volunteers and participants and supported the development of almost 175 programs and Jewish service-learning projects at JCCs. Combined with other major service initiatives, including the National Day of Jewish Service and JCC Maccabi’s® service projects JCC Cares, Tzedek’s endeavors have resulted in more than 21,000 hours of dedicated service and learning, reinforcing the JCC Movement’s commitment to making a positive impact in its communities.
“With JCCs welcoming 1.5 million visitors each week, including people of all faiths and backgrounds, Tzedek provides JCC professionals with skills and insights that enable them to integrate creative, successful service-learning initiatives into their programming, enhancing and uplifting their communities,” says Rebecca Furth, assistant program director, JCC Talent at JCC Association. “This cohesive network of trained professionals not only benefits from our intensive, in-person sessions but will continue to collaborate and grow through ongoing virtual support as they implement their Jewish service-learning projects.”
JCC Association is devoted to developing the talent of the JCC workforce and continuing to attract the best and brightest to its work. With more than 10,000 full-time professionals, more than 20,000 part-time staff, and 17,000 seasonal staff, the movement is the largest employer on North America’s Jewish communal landscape.
This third Tzedek cohort comprises 16 individuals from 12 JCCs, representing all facets of the JCC Movement, including senior leaders, youth and teen coordinators, and professionals from diverse backgrounds.
Members of 2024 Tzedek Cohort include:
- Ester Abramovich, Israeli Fellow and Teen Coordinator, Joan and Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island, N.Y.
- Stefani Barrow Travieso, Fundraising and Events Coordinator, Dave & Mary Alper JCC, Miami, Fla.
- Sivan Ben-Aderet, Senior Director, Cultural Arts & Jewish Heritage, Commonpoint Queens-Samuel Field Y, N.Y.
- Cindy Chow, Family Engagement Coordinator, Oshman Family JCC, Palo Alto, Calif.
- Noa Friedman, Program Coordinator, Tampa JCCs and Federation, Fla.
- Talia Gnessin, Judaic Program Director/Camp JCA Shalom Assistant Director, Shalom Institute, Malibu, Calif.
- Nicole Goyhman, Jewish Programming Coordinator, Michael-Ann Russell JCC, North Miami Beach, Fla.
- Dylan Hersalis, Youth Coordinator, Michael-Ann Russell JCC, North Miami Beach, Fla.
- Krystyna Matafonova, Mriya Program Coordinator, Edith & Carl Marks JCH of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Rachel Ruth, Director of Senior Services, New Orleans JCC, La.
- Jason Scheff, Co-Director of J Sports Academy, Harold and Elaine Shames JCC on the Hudson, Tarrytown, N.Y.
- Jenine Simon, Senior Program and Outreach Director, Dave & Mary Alper JCC, Miami, Fla.
- Sasha Somers, Teen Director and Metairie Camp Director, New Orleans JCC, La.
- Rabbi Ron Symons, Senior Director of Jewish Engagement, Harold and Elaine Shames JCC on the Hudson, Tarrytown, N.Y.
- Sabrina Viscardi, Special Events Manager & Operations Support, Barry & Florence Friedberg JCC, Oceanside, N.Y.
- Jennifer Wood, Executive Director, JCC and Federation of Augusta, Ga.
Tzedek is generously made possible through grants to Repair the World from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation, Jim Joseph Foundation, and the Maimonides Fund.
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About JCC Association of North America
JCC Association of North America leads the JCC Movement, the most expansive and inclusive platform for Jewish life in the U.S. and Canada, which comprises more than 170 Jewish Community Centers and Jewish Community Camps (JCCs). By virtue of its size and scope—serving more than 1.5 million people weekly, in person, and online—and with guidance and support from JCC Association, the JCC Movement dynamically influences efforts to create Jewish community, vibrant Jewish life, and intentional and measurable Jewish outcomes in local communities and across the continent. Learn more at JCCA.org or on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).
Please note that JCC Association of North America should not be referred to as JCCA or the JCC Association but initially as JCC Association of North America and as JCC Association in subsequent references.
About Repair the World
Repair the World mobilizes Jews and their communities to take action to pursue a just world, igniting a lifelong commitment to service. In 2009, Repair the World began elevating meaningful service as a defining element of Jewish life by engaging Jewish young adults in service and learning to meet pressing local needs. Today, inspired by our values, we activate a national service movement, mobilizing partners and tens of thousands of Jewish young adults and their communities to serve alongside our neighbors. Learn more at Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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