Religiously-Affiliated Service Fellowships
The following list includes a sample of post-graduate fellowships in Religiously-Affiliated Service. This is not intended to be a complete list but instead should help one get started in their research of gap year opportunities.
AVODAH
Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps strengthens the Jewish community’s fight against the causes and effects of poverty in the United States. We do this by engaging participants in service and community building that inspire them to become lifelong leaders for social change whose work for justice is rooted in and nourished by Jewish values. Participants in our service Corps program live out and deepen their commitments to social change and Jewish life through a year of full-time work at anti-poverty organizations in Chicago, New Orleans, New York and Washington, DC
Catholic Network for Volunteer Service
The CNVS is a non-profit membership organization of hundreds of domestic and international volunteer and lay mission programs.
Jesuit Volunteers International
JVs work with domestic and international partners to provide a stipend for volunteers to contribute for a year (two years for international placements). Fundraising is required prior to service, but needs are provided for during the term of service while volunteers directly serve poor and marginalized communities.
MASA
Masa Israel journey offers a range of Jewish Studies programs designed to deepen your connection to our traditions and to the Jewish people. Programs range from rigorous interdisciplinary studies of the Jewish people and civilization at some of the world’s top universities to Torah instruction and study at Israel’s leading yeshivas and seminaries. Delve into the history of the Jewish people, explore your own Jewish identity, gain familiarity with a wide variety of Jewish texts or study to become a Jewish communal professional.
QuEST
The Quaker Experiential Service and Training (QuEST) Program is offering young adults a year of service and community living in Seattle, WA. QuEST volunteers, or Fellows, live in a community in a lovely old house in Seattle while volunteering for social service and social change agencies in the city. Sponsored by the University Friends Meeting, QuEST grows out of the Quaker testimonies of peace, equality, simplicity, and community, and accepts people from any (or no) faith background. Benefits include quality work site placements, living stipend, housing, health insurance, 2 retreats a year, additional trainings, and support. Possible placements include: Immigrant rights intake specialist, children’s program coordinator at a shelter, volunteer coordinator, or homeless program coordinator. A few of the positions are specifically seeking Spanish speakers. The application deadline is typically early March, and more information can be found at www.quest-seattle.org
The Global Jewish Service Corps Fellowship
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is offering a year-long, fully funded fellowship for young Jews (between 20 and 40) to engage with the organization’s global mission overseas. The JDC Entwine Global Jewish Service Corps Fellowship (JSC) is internationally recognized to develop leadership with a Jewish perspective. Between 12 and 20 fellows are matched with field placements in communities that are looking for their particular skills and background experience. In addition to the field placement, there are three leadership retreats and monthly coaching for each fellow.
Tivnu
Tivnu is Hebrew for Build! At Tivnu, we build houses, build community, and build a better world. Tivnu: Building Justice braids together direct service for the fulfillment of basic human needs, Jewish learning and living, and leadership development. Discover your passions and effect real change through hands-on internships, learn about complex social justice issues in a Jewish context, create a meaningful Jewish community and lifelong friendships, explore Portland and the Pacific Northwest, and build houses, tangible skills, and independence.
