The document is an AJSS newsletter from December 2014 that provides information about the American Jewish Society for Service (AJSS). It discusses AJSS programs from the past summer, highlights participant experiences, recognizes staff and board members, and shares news articles about AJSS projects. The newsletter aims to thank supporters and encourage continued financial support of AJSS's mission of using service-learning to inspire Jewish youth.

1. AJSS
AMERICAN JEWISH SOCIETY FOR SERVICE
2014
AMERICAN JEWISH SOCIETY FOR SERVICE
2014
AJSS newsletter 1114.indd 1 11/24/2014 2:34:55 PM

2. “ ThoughatfirstIwasfrightenedofleavingthecomfortofmyfriendshipbubble,Iamsoglad
thatIdid.AJSStaughtmehowtobeindependentofmyfriends,andtaughtmethatnew
experiencesweregood.Ilearnedtoopenuptonewpeople,andthatnotopicistootabooto
talkabout.Throughtheartof“productivediscomfort,”allofmyboundarieswerepushed,
andIamnowleavingthisprogramabetterpersonthanIwaswhenIstarted.
“
–GalyaLazar,participant,OklahomaCity
“ WhenyoulookbackuponyourAJSSsummer2014,Ihopeyourememberafewsmallthings:
ThefactthatyouCANbeapositiveforceforchangeinyourcommunity.
Inspireyourself,inspireothers,beinspired.
Socialrelationshipsarefluidandalwayschanging.Betruetoyourselfandloveyourselffor
whoyouare.Appreciatewhatyouhavetooffertheworld.AsChristopherRobinsaidtoPooh,
‘Promisemeyou’llalwaysremember:Youarebraverthanyoubelieve,andstrongerthanyou
seem,andsmarterthanyouthink.’
“
–EmmaEpstein,ProjectDirector,Memphis
AJSS @ajss.org - Jul 7
Sean from AJSS Memphis rocks out to “Shadow People” by
Dr. Dog! Such incredible talent! #blessed #Memphis #talent
Amarillo, TX
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3. BOARD of
DIRECTORS
Peter Sheingold, Chair
David Kaplan, Vice Chair
Robert Sherwin, Treasurer
Ellen Quint, Secretary
Michael Bennick
Andy Coelho
Alice Fornari
Lawrence G. Green
Michael Katz
Aaron Kopelowitz
Bruce Levinson
Jessica Minnen
Sam Marcus
Ilene Schacter Mirkine
Frederic Nathan
Sara Nathan
Barbara Scott
David Solis-Cohen
David Wolkin
THE AJSS TEAM
Rena Convissor, Executive Director
Rafi Glazer, Director of Programs
Lauren Reisig, Director of Marketing
and Outreach
Deborah Sherman, Program Associate
KEEP in TOUCH
American Jewish Society for Service
10319 Westlake Drive, Suite 193
Bethesda, MD 20817
E-MAIL: info@ajss.org
WEB: ajss.org
PH: 301.664.6400
Facebook.com/AJSSSummer
Twitter.com/ajssorg
Instagram.com/ajssorg
AMERICAN JEWISH SOCIETY FOR SERVICE
KISLEV 5775 DECEMBER 2014
AJSS
Dear AJSS Friends and Family,
In 1986, I was 16 and looking to do something different with my summer. What I learned
about myself and the broader world during my six-week AJSS trip to Cincinnati, Ohio
changed my life. Looking back on that experience, I appreciate that AJSS instilled in
me greater self-confidence and a commitment to tikkun olam.
For nearly 30 years, AJSS has remained part of my life. During this time I transitioned
from participant to stafferto a long-serving board member, and now the newly-elected
AJSS Board Chair. From these different vantage points, I watched AJSS transform from
a strong summer program into a remarkable service-learning organization.
For those of us who went on AJSS 10, 20, or even 60 years ago, we were part of the
traditional Summer of Service experience. Today, thanks to our talented professional
staff and committed board, AJSS is reaching beyond this original model. Our most
recent alumni come not only from 6-week programs, but from 25-day summer programs,
alternative beach weeks and long-weekend disaster recovery projects which AJSS
organizes in partnership with schools and synagogues.
As we expand our programs, we hold true to our values and humble yet powerful mission:
Make tikkun olam real for Jewish teens through meaningful service opportunities in U.S.
communities in need.
Last summer I saw powerful examples of how AJSS has changed yet stayed true to its core.
• In 1986, I filled my parents in on the summer through my weekly collect calls
from a pay phone. Today, parents (and board chairs) follow our programs on a
daily basis through social media.
• In 1986, we worked on housing projects. Today, while we still build houses (just
ask Team OKC about working on Amarillo Habitat for Humanity’s 100th
home),
our projects touch on a broader array of issues. (Just ask Team Memphis about
packing thousands of pounds of food at the Mid-South Food Bank or strengthening
students’ reading and math skills at De La Salle Elementary School.)
• In 1986, my AJSS summer challenged me physically, intellectually, and emotionally.
Today, when I read participant blog posts like the one below, I know that while
our programs evolve our core values remain:
“ Sure,theservicemightbehard,thesunmightfryyoulikechicken,andtheexhaustionweighson
youlikeawetblanket,butthatisnothingwhenyourealizethevalueofyourwork…Becauseof
ourefforts,we’renotjustbuildingagarden,orhelpingstudentsataschool,orrevitalizingacity,
asAJSSparticipants,we’reallgoingtobebetterpeoplewhenweleaveMemphisthanwewere
whenwearrived...Thisindescribablefeelingisworthmorethaneverysecondofsixweeksand
everydropofsweatshedinthattime.
“ –SeamusLynch,participant,Memphis
As we set our sights on the future and our 65th
anniversary, I know that AJSS
will continue to evolve in new and exciting ways. I also know that our core values
are as relevant today as they were in 1951.
Amid all the chaos of this season, I thank you for your interest in the ongoing
story of AJSS and hope this yearbook gives you pause to reflect on your own
connection to AJSS. I thank our 2014 volunteers and staff who helped change
lives in Louisville, KY; Oklahoma City, OK; Memphis, TN; and Sea Bright, NJ.
I especially thank my predecessor, Larry Green, for his unwavering commitment to
and stewardship of AJSS. Larry has been a valued member of the AJSS family since
1968, and I look forward to his continued service and dedication to our future.
I also ask for your financial support. Your donations play an essential role in
enabling AJSS to make a positive impact on the lives of our volunteers and the
communities they serve.
With your help, we can make the next chapters in our AJSS story as exciting
and vibrant as the first 64.
Thank you,
Peter Sheingold
AJSS Board Chair
Participant, Cincinatti ‘86
Summer Staff, Topeka ‘91
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4. 2014 AJSS
PARTICIPANTS
6 Weeks of Impact —
Memphis
Ava Adler (Great Neck, NY)
Ashley Arnold (Norwood, NJ)
Sean Berman (Henderson, NV)
Josh Grebler (Clayton, MO)
Sam Glasberg (Weston, CT)
Isaac Haft (Great Neck, NY)
Lindsey Johnson (Norwood, NJ)
Seamus Lynch (Ann Arbor, MI)
Remi Miller (Kings Park, NY)
Daniel Rabizadeh (Great Neck, NY)
Jordyn Schor (Plainview, NY)
Hannah Siegel (New Rochelle, NY)
Jake Sherman (Colorado Springs, CO)
STAFF:
Emma Epstein, Project Director
Aaron Dorfman
Misha Schwartz
Rosa Stall
25 Days of Change –
Louisville
Shelley Friedland (Newton, MA)
Lauren Kershenbaum (Teaneck, NJ)
Kimberly Lenchner (Great Neck, NY)
Ariella Levisohn (Newton, MA)
Kevin Liebmann (New City, NY)
Stacy Okin (Roslyn, NY)
Lana Rubinstein (River Falls, NY)
Adi Segal (Old Bethpage, NY)
Sydnee Sicherer (Fair Lawn, NJ)
Michael Toledano (Great Neck, NY)
Adina Weiss (Cherry Hill, NJ)
STAFF:
Mara Herling, Project Director
Joshua Pernick
Greg Sherwin
Shosh Trager
(continuedonpage5)
Page 4 American Jewish Society for Service
Sustainable Service: Religious group,
nonprofit team up to build gardens.
Memphis, TN. (The Commercial Appeal) – Young people from the American
Jewish Society for Service are working with GrowMemphis to build urban gardens
in food desserts.
“ WeappreciateTeamMemphisandalloftheirhardworkthissummer.Youhavemadean
impactandyoufillourmemories.We’reexcitedtowitnessthegreatworkyouwilldoin
thisworld.
“
–JessicaandSam,TheThomasandWellsCommunityGarden
AMERICAN JEWISH SOCIETY
Teenagers Trade Summer Break for Hard Work
Louisville, KY (WDRB) –
A group of high school students chose to skip the lazy summer break and
spend their free time helping people they’ve never met… Instead of spending
their summer breaks with
family and friends, they are
working and serving people
here in Metro Louisville.
“ Itfeelsreallygreattogiveback
tothecommunity,andespecially
justtobedoingsomethingwith
mysummer.
“
–AriellaLevisohn,
participant,Louisville
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5. December 2014 Page 5
ETY for SERVICE in the NEWS (continuedfrompage4)
25 Days of Change –
Oklahoma City
Victoria Alfred-Levow
(Penn Valley, PA)
Joshua Cohen (Wayland, MA)
Reuben Kaufman (New York, NY)
Galya Lazar (Winnipeg, MB)
Maya Lew (New Haven, CT)
Sandra Merkin (Woodmere, NY)
Shoshana Mintz (New York, NY)
Hannah Saltzman (Bronx, NY)
Emily Shafran (Woodmere, NY)
Spencer Shapiro (Sharon, MA)
BenjaminSipzner(JamaicaEstates,NY)
Michael Toledano (Great Neck, NY)
STAFF:
Michael Friedman, Project Director
Anna Rothstein
Greg Sherwin
Shosh Trager
Alternative Beach Week
– Sea Bright
Sarah Barth (Teaneck, NJ)
Raquel Greenfield (Englewood, NJ)
Samantha Lemmer (Englewood, NJ)
Jordan Schenker (West Caldwell, NJ)
Moses Milchberg (Potomac, MD)
Jonny Rasch (Bethesda, MD)
Caleb Matheson (Potomac, MD)
STAFF:
Chelsea Fricker
Dani Saks
Amarillo Habitat
for Humanity Builds
100th
Home
Amarillo, TX (KAMR) – Back in 1985, Amarillo Habitat for Humanity built their
first home. Almost 30 years later, the organization is now working on their 100th
home… But the story goes even further. Not only is this the 100th
home, but an
organization that helped build the first is now contributing to this milestone…This
is the third time that AJSS has worked with Amarillo Habitat for Humanity.
“ Actuallythisorganizationthat’sheretodaywasoneofourveryfirstvolunteergroups.And
they’reherenowforout100th
build.Soit’skindofcomefullcircle.
“ –TamaraClemens,AmarilloHabitatforHumanityVolunteerCoordinator
“ “Wehelpedbuildthefirsthouseonthislotin2009,andnowwe’rebackbuilding
thislastone.
“ –ShoshanaTragerandAnnaRothstein,participantsAmarillo’09;staff,OklahomaCity‘14
D.C. Area Teens Rebuild
Homes Destroyed by Sandy
Potomac, MD (Congregation Har Shalom
Tablet Newsletter) - Sea Bright has 1400
households, and 100 families still have not
been able to move home because they do not
have the resources to repair their homes.
Through the American Jewish Society for
Service, we were connected to Sea Bright
Rising, a non-profit dedicated to rebuilding
the town. We worked on two homes, doing everything from hauling trash to
putting up drywall and painting to installing a soffit. The Kesher students had
a terrific time. We were joined by two students from Adat Shalom, making it a
true community event.
“ Eachhousehaditsown
storyforitsrepairs.
“ –GarrettGoltz,participant,
AJSSResponds
For the full articles and
all the latest headlines,
visit http://ajss.org/
about-us/news/
AJSS newsletter 1114.indd 5 11/24/2014 2:35:33 PM

6. Page 6 American Jewish Society for Service
AJSS RESPONDS: Disaster Recovery Projects
AJSS is extending our footprint beyond Summer
of Service with AJSS Responds, a year-round
program that supports communities in the months
and years following a natural disaster. Currently
operating under the generosity of the Emergency
Fund of the Jewish Federations of North America
(JFNA), AJSS has facilitated trips for more than
100 Jewish teens to help those who lost their
homes to natural disasters. AJSS works closely
with organizations that are coordinating the storm
recovery and rebuilding process to provide teens
with a pathway for authentic and meaningful
work, which alongside our Jewish service-learning
curriculum, directly connects the participants’ work with Jewish values and
teachings. In recognizing the strength of our disaster recovery work, JFNA
awarded AJSS an additional grant to develop a curriculum to help participants
understand how communities adapt, withstand, and recover from disasters. We
look forward to implementing this curriculum in Oklahoma City next summer.
ALUMNI
SPOTLIGHT:
Bromberg Family
For the Brombergs, AJSS
is a family within a family.
Jonathan Bromberg and
Barbara Scott kicked off
their family’s AJSS journey
in 2007, when their oldest
son, Alex, volunteered in
Johnson City, TN. Living
and working in this rural
Tennessee community so vastly different from the Manhattan neighborhood in
which he was raised, Alex credits AJSS with introducing him to different types
of people and new ways ofthinking. This invaluable life skill served him well at
the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed his undergraduate degree,
and contributes to his continued professional success as an analyst at Peter J.
Solomon Company in New York.
Not to be outdone by their elder sibling, in 2013, Elliot and Tobin Bromberg joined
forces in Portland, OR for their AJSS Summer of Service. Whether working in
the fields to build sustainable gardens, learning about the injustices immigrant
farmworkers face, or even going out on a midnight run to Voodoo Doughnut to
celebrate their 16th
birthday, this shared experience made AJSS feel like a home
away from home for Elliot and Tobin from the start.
When they returned to Baltimore, MD, both Elliot and Tobin were struck with a
desire to pay forward AJSS’s philosophy of effecting change through education
and service, and rejecting the excuse of apathy through ignorance. As they get
ready to graduate from high school, these young men acknowledge they have a
much deeper commitment to service and the Jewish community than before their
Summer of Service. Elliot maintains a strong presence at school- and synagogue-
sponsored service events, and looks forward to continuing these efforts next year
in college. Last spring, Tobin’s high school honored him with a $4,000 prize for his
extensive community service efforts, which he generously donated to AJSS.
This family’s commitment to AJSS now extends to our Board of Directors, which
Barbara joined last December. Barbara and Jonathan remain dedicated to AJSS.
We thank them both for their continued support and guidance and for sharing
their three remarkable sons with AJSS. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.
What have you been up to since your Summer of Service? Call us at
301.664.6400 or e-mail alumni@ajss.org. We love hearing from you.
AJSS Responds’
Community
Partnerships:
January, 2014: Hurricane Katrina
Relief in New Orleans, LA with
B’nai Jeshurun (New York, NY)
April, 2014: Hurricane Sandy
Relief in Sea Bright, NJ with Prozdor
High School of Hebrew College
(Newton, MA)
June, 2014: Hurricane Sandy Relief
in Sea Bright, NJ with Congregation
Har Shalom (Potomac, MD) and
Congregation Adat Shalom
(Bethesda, MD)
June, 2014: Hurricane Katrina Relief
in New Orleans, LA with Wexner
Service Corps (Columbus, OH)
August, 2014: Hurricane Sandy
Relief in Sea Bright, NJ with B’nai
Jeshurun Congregation (Pepper Pike,
OH), Park Synagogue (Cleveland, OH),
and Congregation Shaarey Tikvah
(Cleveland, OH)
Call us if you’re interested
in facilitating an AJSS
Responds service trip for
your school, syngogue,
or other community
organization.
AJSS newsletter 1114.indd 6 11/24/2014 2:35:42 PM

7. SEA BRIGHT
OKLAHOMA CITY
MEMPHIS
December 2014 Page 7
LOUISVILLE
SIX-WORD MEMOIRS
on SERVICEBustingboundaries.Buildinghouses.Breakingfears.
Youcanbuildanythingwithtape.Thesatisfactionofhelpingotherpeople.
Timemayflybutmemoriesdon’t.Morepreparedformylifejourney.Chaostransformsintocommunityandlaughter.
Appreciateallthethingsyouhave.Eat,work,laugh,learn,sleep.Repeat.
Nojudgment,noboundaries,justfriendship.
“ Inallthis,wehavebecomeafamily.Sometimesfunctional,sometimeslessso.
Butalwaysafamily.Wehavecaredforoursick,protectedourtired,encouraged
ourflagging,developedourtalents,cultivatedourworkethic,servedthosein
need,andforgedouridentity.WearenowallmembersoftheindomitableAJSS
family,andthiscommunitywillalwaysbeyours.
“ –OklahomaCitystaff
2014 STAFF
AJSS newsletter 1114.indd 7 11/24/2014 2:36:05 PM

8. 6 WEEKS OF IMPACT
June 28 – August 9 • Louisville, KY
*$5400
25 DAYS OF CHANGE
Session 1: June 21 – July 15 • Memphis, TN
Session 2: July 16 – August 9 • Oklahoma City, OK
*$4200 per session; $7600 for both
ALTERNATIVE BEACH WEEK
June 21-26 • Sea Bright, NJ
$850
*EARLY BIRD SPECIAL:
$200 discount for early registration by December 31, 2014
2015 SUMMER OF SERVICE
AMERICAN JEWISH
SOCIETY FOR SERVICE
Change lives. Start with yours.
AJSS newsletter 1114.indd 8 11/24/2014 2:36:14 PM