American Jewish World Service is an international development organization motivated by Judaism’s imperative to pursue justice. AJWS is dedicated to alleviating poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the developing world regardless of race, religion or nationality. Through grants to grassroots organizations, volunteer service, advocacy and education, AJWS fosters civil society, sustainable development and human rights for all people, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship within the Jewish community.
AJWS offers numerous opportunities to travel and volunteer in Africa, Asia and the Americas, while exploring the connections between Judaism and social justice.
• Study Tours: Trips offering an in-depth look at innovative grassroots organizations and opportunities to meet visionary local leaders.
• Volunteer Corps: Adult volunteers contribute their professional skills to social change organizations for three to nine months.
• Volunteer Summer: A year-long program of service and study, beginning with a seven-week assignment where participants, ages 16 to 24, volunteer with an AJWS partner organization.
• World Partners Fellowship: An intensive 10-month volunteer service opportunity in India awarded to recent Jewish college graduates and young professionals.
• Alternative Breaks: One- to three-week service opportunities for college students in partnership with campus-based organizations such as Hillel.
• Rabbinical Students’ Delegations: 10- to 14-day trips for interdenominational groups of rabbinical students and Jewish communal leaders to live and work alongside AJWS grantees, explore Jewish texts and theology and learn about grassroots development.