On August 30th, I will be starting a year-long program called AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps.  AVODAH is the Hebrew word for work, study, or prayer.

I will be moving to New Orleans and working at the New Orleans Food and Farm Network.  There I will be working as a Community Food Security Outreach Assistant to help advance the organization’s work in enhancing access of low-income communities to fresh, healthy, and sustainably produced food.  During the year I will be combating the existence of food shortages, malnutrition, and hunger, conditions which affect 16% of Americans.

I chose to participate in AVODAH because I wanted the chance to learn more about issues of urban poverty and how Judaism can be a means to counter social and economic injustice.

In addition to my own work, I will be living with nine other AVODAH Corps members who will be tackling issues such as: fair-housing discrimination; quality and accessible healthcare; and assisting women and children living in a transitional shelter.

But before my time as an AVODAH Corps member begins, I have begun a fundraising campaign to support this program.  I have set a goal of raising $1,000.  I would like you to partner with me and support the work that AVODAH does.  Your donation will help further enable AVODAH to continue working with disadvantaged communities across America.

I’m not going to ask you for a specific amount because these are tough times.  All I ask is that you please consider giving a donation that’s realistic to your means.  This money ensures that AVODAH Corps members like me are able reach thousands of individuals living in poverty while learning about Judaism and its connection to social change work.  Your donation is tax-deductable.

You can make a credit card donation through http://www.firstgiving.com/mitios_avodah_campaign.

If you know anyone who would also be interested in supporting my campaign, I would be so grateful if you could forward this website to them.

Or, you can send a check on my behalf.  Please make the check out to “AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps” and include either in the memo field or on a note that it is going towards my fundraising goal. Please mail the check to:

AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps

7733 Maple Street
New Orleans, LA 70118

Feel free to contact me (mynameismitio@gmail.com) if you’re interested in learning more about what I’ll be doing in New Orleans, and/or why I’ve decided to spend the next year working to fight hunger.

Please give as generously as you can.  I deeply appreciate your support!

Mitio

P.S. – For more information about AVODAH, check out www.avodah.net