American Jewish Society for Service’s Teens Serve Communities Across America
by Leah Koenig | August 17, 2010 | 1 comment
Photo courtesy of AJSS
The American Jewish Society for Service (AJSS) is an organization that links social conscience to Jewish consciousness, engaging teenagers in acts of tikkun olam (repairing the world) one house, one park, one community center at a time. Their summer program inspires teens to put their Jewish values into action by providing service to communities in need across the United States.
Established in 1951 (they celebrated their 60th summer of service this year!), AJSS was a pioneer of Jewish teen service long before it was en vogue. This summer, 48 Jewish high schoolers traveled into the heartland of America to volunteer with the AJSS in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity and many local food banks, shelters and other community service organizations. The teens worked for and alongside community members in Kansas City, Kansas, Little Rock, Arkansas, and Avery County, North Carolina.
The photo journal below provides a snapshot of some of the amazing work done on their trip:
I’m an AJSS alum and the summer I spent in Kentucky changed my life. A core value in my life is helping the less fortunate, and I credit AJSS for lighting that spark in me.