About Don’t Kvetch, Organize!
In Winter 2019, we will be offering our seven week online course, Don’t Kvetch, Organize! Guided by experienced trainers and instructors, we will examine different ways that community organizing has been used to build a more just world for all and how our Jewish tradition and history inform our own commitments and approaches to acting for justice.
We are particularly excited this winter to offer a special discount and cohort for members of JPRO Network. (Not sure if you’re a member? You are if you work for any of these organizations!). This cohort will learn together how community organizing skills and frameworks can support their Jewish and justice work. The course also provides a platform to engage with other professionals in the Jewish community and build relationships through participating in the course together.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from Expert Trainers including many leading organizers, scholars, and cutting edge professionals such as:
- Marshall Ganz: social movement legend, world-renowned thought leader, Harvard educator
- Yavilah McCoy: Yavilah McCoy is the founder of Ayecha, one of the first nonprofit Jewish organizations to provide Jewish Diversity education and advocacy for Jews of color in the United States, and is a consultant with her own Dimensions Consulting.
- Dove Kent: former Executive Director of Jews for Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ) in New York.
- Rabbi Jonah Pesner: director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
- Heather Booth: nationally recognized and long-time civil rights organizer
- Ruth Messinger: former president of the American Jewish World Service, currently serving as their Global Ambassador
“This was hugely helpful … and I’m very much looking forward to continuing this work into the future.”
“I have learned to be patient with the long process, have small achievable goals along the way and make changes to the plan without letting my mistakes get me down.”
See more of what our past participants are saying here!
By participating in the JPRO Network Cohort you will gain:
- A community of professional peers in the Jewish community that share language and knowledge to support your work tackling issues you care about, even after the course!
- A natural and powerful connection between your Jewish identity and your commitment to acting for justice;
- Stories that give a behind the scenes look at different organizing efforts, both iconic and lesser known;
- An understanding of one community organizing model and how it can be used in a practical way to effectively address issues, big and small;
- An analysis of widening economic disparity, and insight into how to work across lines of race and other identities;
- A fast track introduction to Social Justice Organizing and access to network of Social Justice professionals;
- Coaching from JOIN Senior Organizers to support you in your organizing efforts.
THE BASICS | The course will:
- Run for seven weeks, including a vacation week in the middle of the course. The course will open on January 27, 2019 and run until March 17, 2019.
- Be taught by experienced trainers and visionary Jewish leaders;
- Be offered to 150 people around the world including at least one group of 15-25 Jews of Color
- Include weekly online training videos that students can watch on their own schedule;
- Include three virtual group meetings (scheduled based on your availability), led by Course Instructors, where students can build relationships with one another, reflect together on what they’re learning, and push their learning further;
- Include a workload of about 3 hours of coursework total per week.
You can see more information about the course syllabus here.
Who is the course meant for?
- Anyone who either identifies as Jewish or has a connection and interest in exploring this work through a Jewish lens
- People who want to learn how they can have a meaningful impact on issues that impact them and people they care about
- People who want to explore how Judaism or their Jewish identity can strengthen and be strengthened by their commitment to having a meaningful impact
- People who have been doing social justice work but feel like they’re not getting very far and wonder if there is a way to be more effective
- People who want to meet and spend time with like-minded folks who share experiences and interests
- People who are interested in connecting with other people of color from across the country
Cost:
- **Early Bird Rate!** Register by December 7 to receive the Early Bird rate of $255! (The regular price of the course is $345, and JPRO Network members may register for $305.)
- Those who sign up for the course with a “buddy” are eligible for a $50 discount, so the course would cost $205. See our buddy page for more information.
- We have a limited number of young adult (under 35) slots for $89 (with JPRO discount).
- We make every effort to include participants for whom the course fee is a barrier. Please contact us if you are in need of a scholarship at dontkvetch@joinforjustice.org.
- Regular registration for the course closes on December 17.
For more information, contact Tali Smookler by email or by phone at 617-350-9994 x 208.
