Tikkun Olam —repairing the world—has always been a major component of the Reform Jewish experience. In every generation, YOU, the youth of our movement, have led the way, showing deep concern for the fate of the world in which you live. Mitzvah Corps combines direct hands-on involvement in communities that need energy, dedication and love that YOU can provide, with learning focused on Jewish social and ethical issues.
Social action, friends, expanded horizons, and fun, are all part of the Mitzvah Corps experience. With Mitzvah Corps, Jewish teens experience social action at its best. Make YOUR mark this summer.
MC San Francisco: Bay Area Mitzvah Corps (Grades 10-12)
June 26th - July 24th (4 Weeks)
You will spend four exciting weeks on the San Francisco State University campus. During the day you will volunteer throughout the city and the Bay Area. Evenings and weekends are devoted to guest speakers, educational programs, and a range of social activities. You will also get to spend a Shabbat at URJ Camp Newman and a weekend in Sacramento, where you will learn to lobby representatives at the state capital.
You will leave Mitzvah Corps an expert in teenage social justice. Not only will you have formed life long friendships, but you will have learned how to change your own communities, help those in need, and tackle social justice issues. You can return to your congregation, school, and community with new ideas for social action projects, social justice programming ideas, and methods to affect change. Your life will be changed from what you learned from your service projects, from the curriculum, from the speakers, and from your peers.
MC New Jersey: Urban Mitzvah Corps (Grades 11-12)
June 27th - August 10th (6 Weeks)
Urban Mitzvah Corps is an intense six week program which offers exciting social justice opportunities in and around New Brunswick, NJ. Participants and staff reside in the safe environment of the Rutgers University dorms where they have the opportunity to learn responsibility for themselves and the community. The UMC community will have the chance to make a difference in the lives of the mentally and physically challenged, the underprivileged, and the elderly. Each participant will volunteer at two different service agencies throughout the duration of the program. Evenings are devoted to a thorough curriculum involving guest speakers, social activities, and current social justice issues. This program offers a real chance for participants to engage with and explore their Judaism, as well as the opportunity to shape and provide input to the direction of social activities. Participants will also travel for a memorable weekend to Washington, DC to the Religious Action Center, where they will learn how to translate their social awareness and passions into direct political action.
Mitzvah Corps Atlanta (Grades 10-12)
July 10th - July 31st (3 Weeks)
You will spend three exciting weeks on the Emory University campus. During the day you will volunteer throughout the city. Evenings and weekends are devoted to guest speakers, educational programs, and a range of social activities. Days are spent volunteering at different sites and evenings are devoted to a thorough curriculum involving exciting guest speakers, social activities, and learning about current social justice issues. You will leave Mitzvah Corps not only having formed life long friendships, but you will have learned how to change your own communities, help those in need, and tackle social justice issues.
Mitzvah Corps at Kutz: Mentoring those with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (Grades 9-12)
June 24th - July 18th (3 and 1/2 Weeks)
This Mitzvah Corps program is a unique opportunity for participants to mentor and work with Jewish youth with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who come for a Jewish camping experience. As a mentor, you will receive special training in ASD and make a real difference in the lives of this special group of campers.
Mitzvah Corps Costa Rica (Grades 10 -12)
August 3rd - August 12th (9 Days)
Spend 9 days volunteering, traveling, learning and building lasting friendships in Costa Rica. Volunteer with a variety of projects throughout the country and discover the challenges of rural development and efforts to conserve the rainforest. Spend Shabbat with the Jewish community of Costa Rica and have the chance to share meet its members. Mitzvah Corps Costa Rica is provides the opportunity to explore the country of Costa Rica with new friends and engage in unique volunteer opportunities and learning experiences.
MC New Orleans: Mitzvah Corps of the South (Grades 10 -12)
July 20th - August 3rd (2 Weeks)
You will spend two weeks in New Orleans, Louisiana. During the day you will volunteer and see the affects of Hurricane Katrina. Evenings will be devoted to guest speakers, educational programs, and social activities. You will get to spend Shabbat with local URJ congregations and at URJ Camp Jacobs in Utica, Mississippi.
You will leave Mitzvah Corps an expert in teenage social justice. Not only will you have formed life long friendships, but you will have learned how to change your own communities, help those in need, and tackle social justice issues. You can return to your congregation, school, and community with new ideas for social action projects, social justice programming ideas, and methods to affect change. Your life will be changed from what you learned from your service projects, from the curriculum, from the speakers, and from your peers.Mitzvah Corps of the South is made possible by a generous grant from the United Jewish Communities and the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.
http://www.mitzvahcorps.org/
