Transforming Oneself and a Community: New JSC Volunteers

Sitting around a conference table in New York, with five other young Jews from as far away as Argentina and Israel, Ilan, an Australian, is preparing to enter into the only international volunteer program of its kind – The JDC Jewish Service Corps (JSC).

Ilan is one of a small cadre of qualified candidates who are about to embark on a year of Jewish communal service in communities overseas with the JDC.

A journalist, sitting in on one of the briefings asks Ilan to describe what he plans to accomplish when he gets to Turkey. "It’s one of those life situations that won’t be defined until it happens," smiles Ilan. Everyone nods in agreement.

Established by the JDC in 1987, the JDC Jewish Service Corps offers the spirited individual a chance to explore their relation to Judaism and the Jewish people, as they support Jewish communities abroad in meeting a wide variety of needs. JDC Jewish Service Corps volunteers have helped galvanize Jewish communities around the world, enriching the lives of thousands of Jews. Not surprisingly, their lives and careers have been equally changed and enriched by their year of service.

The newest group of JSC recruits include Ilan from Australia, Rachel from New York, Michal from Massachusetts, Adam from Rhode Island, and Julie and Yitzhak from Israel. They gathered together for their initial orientation, participating in briefings and discussions on the different geographic regions in which they are to serve. They were also briefed on JDC operations around the world.

"Entering into this program is a great way for me to become fully and truly involved with my Jewish self," Ilan stated.

Born in Jerusalem in 1977, Ilan’s family moved to Australia, where he attended college and graduate school. Ilan has been very active in the Melbourne Jewish community, working with Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, Heneni Youth and Welfare, the United Jewish Education Board, and the Brighton Hebrew Centre. Coupled with his extensive experience abroad – Ilan has traveled to, or worked in countries such as Israel, Poland, France, Spain, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Czech Republic, Italy, and South Africa – Ilan’s background proved the right mix for entry into the Jewish Service Corps.

"What makes the JSC unique, is that we take extremely talented individuals who in one year are able to transform Jewish community with innovative programming they have developed in coordination with program’s ability to plug our volunteers into communities from Bombay to Buenos Aires and immediately impact Jewish life there," noted Linda Levi, founder of the JDC Jewish Service Corps.

For more information please go to Jewish Service Corps.