Making Schools Better in New Bedford

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Hannah White

Last spring, JOIN alumni Dan Lesser and Liz Aeschlimann’s work with the United Interfaith Action (UIA) to agitate, inspire, and develop leadership in New Bedford was met with success. The UIA proposed that New Bedford restructure the school system by creating small, autonomous schools throughout the district to battle low graduation and high dropout rates. Under the UIA’s plan, the autonomous schools would still be unionized and part of the district, though principals and teachers would control budget and hiring. Meeting with over 600 parents, teachers, and students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Mayor Lang and School Superintendent Francis along with School Committee said they would support the plan.

A vote in December provided the mechanism for the introduction of small autonomous schools into the city as soon as September 2013.

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David Schwartz on VH1

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Hannah White

Fellowship alum and current board member David Schwartz has organized The Real Food Challenge to push college campuses to make more ethical and sustainable choices when it comes to purchaising food. Recently, David was a finalist on VH1’s Do Something Awards. See David and RFC profiled on VH1’s Do Something!

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Countdown to a New Vision

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Hannah White

We are proud to announce a groundbreaking effort by the Jewish Organizing Initiative in collaboration with the Jewish Funds for Justice/ Progressive Jewish Alliance to expand our work to the national level and introduce exciting program expansions across the country. We will build hundreds of top quality Jewish organizers in lay and professional positions inside and outside of the Jewish community, transforming and strengthening individuals and institutions as they work for a more just society. As a part of this process, we will be announcing a new name, our new national board, and a new website. Check back for more information on our first ever national gathering in April 2012. Click here for any questions or to get email updates.

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Join us for Stories of Transformation: Siyyum/Graduation

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Hannah White

Join us to honor the work of Fellowship participants and learn more about our groundbreaking plans for the future. Let’s celebrate!

Siyyum/Graduation

Monday evening, June 27th from 6-8:30pm Read more »

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David Schwartz is fighting for food justice

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Rebecca Herst

This is the second profile in a series highlighting the work Jewish Organizing Fellows and alumni are doing to fight for justice.

David Schwartz, current Fellow:

David Schwartz came to the Jewish Organizing Fellowship a year after landing a job with the Real Food Challenge, organizing students for just and sustainable food.  Growing up in two very different Boston neighborhoods—one largely Black and Latino and the other a more affluent suburb— David witnessed intense disparities in health, economic opportunity and access to real food early on. After years trying to educate other teens about food security and urban agriculture, he began to organize for larger structural change. He looked to his university to catalyze an economic shift. Read more »

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