FAQ

 Frequently Asked Questions

Updated January, 2009

What city will I be interviewing for?

You will interview for one of your top-choice cities. If we have too many applicants for one of those cities, we may ask you to consider an interviewing for another city.   

 

Will I be housed within walking distance of a synagogue?

We strive to put at least one house in each city within walking distance (1.5 miles) of a synagogue. Please be sure to discuss questions or concerns about access to a synagogue during your interview.

 

Will my house be in a safe neighborhood?

AVODAH tries to provide the safest living situations possible. However, you will be living in an urban environment where—like most city neighborhoods—crime can be an issue and levels of safety are unpredictable. The AVODAH staff will provide resources for dealing with crime prevention and safety, and you will be living in a concerned community where housemates can help each other use caution and safety.

 

Are AVODAH houses furnished?

The houses are fully furnished and have all the dishes, pots, pans, etc. needed to run a household, including a kosher kitchen.

 

Will I be able to keep kosher?

All AVODAH kitchens are kosher at the time of move in. As the year progresses, each household negotiates the standards of kashrut (Jewish dietary law) the members of the community wish to maintain.

 

What program commitments are required?

The "program" part of AVODAH consists of two nights per week, five weekend retreats and several day-long Sunday sessions.

 

What kinds of commitments to community are required?

Living in community is a major component of AVODAH and requires a commitment of time and spirit. Since you are working full-time and attending evening and weekend programs, you must make sure you are also able to commit time to living in community by attending communal meals, celebrations of Shabbat, and house meetings. 

 

What do I need to know about monthly Shabbat?

AVODAH Corps members create a pluralistic “Community Shabbat” at least once a month. In, some Corps members choose to celebrate Shabbat weekly. In many AVODAH houses, some Corps members choose to celebrate Shabbat together weekly.

 

What do I need to know about my work placement and other work?

Everyone in the program is required to work full-time at their AVODAH placement. In order to ensure your ability to focus on your many AVODAH-related activities and still find time for down-time and other personal activities, you may not take classes, hold a part-time job or do extensive volunteer work for the first four months of the program year. After the first four months, we ask that you keep these sorts of commitments to five hours per week so that you can continue to participate fully in the AVODAH community.

 

Will I have to share a room?

You should be prepared to share a room for all or part of the program year, since AVODAH houses may have some singles, but most rooms are doubles. AVODAH does not assign rooms—each household decides together how to divide up the living space.

 

How long is the time commitment and what are the time frames? 

AVODAH requires a firm time commitment from all its participants. The 2009–20010 program year begins on August 30, 2009 and ends on August 8, 2010 (inclusive). You must commit to the entire year in order to join the program.

 

Is there a stipend? If so, how large is the stipend and what does it cover?

Yes, there is a stipend, which is paid by the placement agency directly to the AVODAH Corps member. Corps members in all cities except New Orleans pay a portion of this stipend to AVODAH to cover basic housing costs, including rent and utilities. The rest of the stipend is used for things like food, toiletries, health care products, telephone, general household items, and modest social expenditures. In addition to the stipend, placement agencies provide health insurance and a travel subsidy for local public transportation.

 

The net monthly stipend varies by city, as follows:

Chicago

$605/month stipend

$300 for living expenses/$305àAVODAH for housing

 

New Orleans

$350/month stipend

$300 for living expenses/$50àAVODAH for housing

 

New York City

$775/month stipend

$325 for living expenses/$450àAVODAH for housing

 

Washington, DC

$700/month stipend

$300 for living expenses/$400àAVODAH for housing

 

How did AVODAH decide on these amounts?

We arrived at stipend levels by assessing the costs in each city for basic necessities during the AVODAH year. The stipend is not designed to cover large expenses such as air travel, school application fees, or out-of-pocket prescription medication costs that exceed $500 per year.

 

Can I support myself on the stipend?

Your lifestyle will be a modest one, but recent experience confirms that people can make it through the year on the funds provided. Group housing and subsidy from AVODAH keep rent low and food expenditures can be greatly reduced by collective purchasing. AVODAH Corps members also re-tool their social lives to include more free and low-cost activities. In recognition that it is very hard to save up during the AVODAH year, Corps members who successfully complete the program will receive a $1,000 exit stipend.

 

What about my student loans?

Nearly all student loan payments for US citizens can be put on hold during a year in AVODAH. This process is initiated by the participant, and we are happy to provide instructions.

 

Will my AVODAH job qualify me for the AmeriCorps Education Award?

AmeriCorps provides an Education Award voucher at the end of the year to those who are a US citizen or permanent resident and fulfill all other AmeriCorps requirements. The AmeriCorps voucher can be used to pay off student loans or can be applied towards tuition at any accredited graduate program.

 

Most AVODAH positions qualify for the AmeriCorps Ed Award. If a position is ineligible for the AmeriCorps award, you will be informed of this during the matching process.

 

I understand that I’ll need to do some outreach and fundraising before the program starts—what’s involved?

Incoming AVODAH Corps members are asked to raise money towards participation in the program, with a goal of raising $1,000.  This addresses practical needs and also helps you develop an invaluable skill for bringing about change.

 

I’ve never raised money before. How do I do it?

AVODAH will provide resources, tips and training so that you can learn how to engage people in your excitement about the upcoming year.

 

When will I hear if I’ve been accepted?

You will hear from us by mid-March by either email or phone.  At that time, we will inform you that you have been accepted into the process of interviewing for an AVODAH position, placed on the waiting list, or turned down for participation in AVODAH.

 

What are my chances of getting into the program if I am on the waiting list?

If you are wait-listed, don’t be discouraged. Many people on the waiting list get chosen to participate in the interview process. If you are patient and can wait, you have a very good chance of getting into a subsequent matching round.

 

Will I have an in-person interview with a prospective placement?

All placement interviews will be conducted by phone, even if the applicant is available for an in-person interview. This prevents applicants who are far away from being unfairly disadvantaged because they cannot travel to interviews.

 

Can I defer acceptance to AVODAH?

We do not defer acceptance into the program for the following year. If you are uncertain about what you want to do next year, and think AVODAH is a serious option, please do apply. However, if do not want to do the program this coming year, please wait to apply when you are ready to participate. We’ll be happy to interview you then!