General Program Information
What is the Tzedek Social Justice Fellowship?
The Tzedek Social Justice Fellowship is a unique eleven-month paid personal and professional development opportunity for emerging social justice leaders. Over the course of eleven-months, Fellows learn to become strong and effective community activists and to create powerful connections that bridge across bias. Fellows develop the essential skills necessary to build transformational relationships within the local community and to organize grassroots movements capable of effecting positive community change. Through training, work experience, personal reflection, and community building, Fellows develop the skills to think intersectionally and the resiliency to transform our lives, community, and society. The Tzedek program is designed to increase the capacity of nonprofit and grassroots organizations and to transform how social justice work is done.
When does the Fellowship start and end?
Tzedek begins in early August with a one month paid orientation. Fellows begin work in their organizations in early September continuing through June of the following year.
Where is the Fellowship located?
All host organizations are located in Asheville, North Carolina and its surrounding communities.
How is the Fellowship funded?
Tzedek is funded by the Amy Mandel and Katina Rodis Fund.
Is the Fellowship connected to an educational institution? Do participants receive any certification at the completion of the program?
No. Tzedek is not an academic program, and Fellows are not eligible to earn course credits through their participation.
Are Fellows offered a job at the end of their Fellowship?
Fellows are not guarantee employment with host organization beyond the eleven-month Fellowship. Sometimes host organizations have the capacity and funding to offer Fellows a more permanent position at the discretion of your supervisor.
Applying to be a Fellow
Who can apply to be a Fellow?
The Tzedek Fellowship is designed for emerging social justice leaders–people who have demonstrated passion for social justice work and a deep desire to grow personally and professionally. Each position requires distinct skills and experiences. Please see individual job postings for details. We especially encourage gender nonconforming people, people of color, women, and Asheville residents to apply.
Do Fellows have to be Jewish? Do Fellows have to be LGBTQ?
Tzedek invites and celebrates Fellows of all faith traditions or no faith. Straight accomplices and allies are encouraged to apply. Host organizations do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or veteran status in its hiring practices, programs, services, or activities.
What is the application and selection process like?
Each host organization manages its own application and interview process. For additional information, check out How to Apply. Any questions about specific positions should be directed to the host organization.
When is the best time to apply?
Fellowship applications are accepted in early spring. Refer to the job descriptions for exact deadlines.
When does the Tzedek Fellowship start?
The Fellowship starts with a required one-month full-time orientation training in early August.
Do applicants apply to the Fellowship or to specific positions?
Applicants apply directly to the host organization for each position and are welcome to apply to multiple positions. Like any job application process, the organization selects who they interview and offer their position to.
Training
What training do Fellows receive?
Tzedek training includes on-the-job experience at a host organization for 30 hours a week and 10 hours of personal and professional training. Training includes regular Fellow Forums, which are opportunities for learning and skill building. Through co-working, Fellows work toward their personal goals. Attendance at community events and participation in national conferences are powerful opportunities for building connection with other activists and social justice workers.
What mentoring do Fellows receive?
During orientation, Fellows explore and identify their personal and professional goals for the year ahead. Fellows then work with Tzedek staff and supervisors to create individualized action plans for developing the skills they need to accomplish their goals and become strong and effective community activists, allies, and leaders.
Who conducts the training?
Training, individualized instruction, and guidance are facilitated by program staff, along with local and national thought-leaders and activists.
Host Organizations
How are host organizations chosen?
Each host organization is selected by program staff based on the organization’s alignment with the Tzedek mission, their dedication to social change, their collaborative spirit, and the organization’s ability to provide meaningful work with supportive supervision and leadership. Partnerships are reviewed and assessed annually.
Beyond additional staffing, how is organizational capacity increased by partnering with Tzedek?
Through partnering with Tzedek, organization staff have opportunities to build relationships with other social justice organizations, community leaders, educate each other about specific community issues, and build strong, action-based bridges at the points where they intersect.
How are the Fellows supervised?
Fellows are supervised by an employee at their host organization and supported by Tzedek staff.
Benefits and Compensation
What are Fellows paid?
All Fellows are paid a monthly salary by their host organization. The salary is based on Just Economic’s living wage rate and includes additional funds calculated to account for the cost of living in Asheville. The Amy Mandel and Katina Rodis Fund provides a grant to each of these organizations to cover this stipend for each Fellow. Additional details are included in job descriptions.
Does the Fellowship provide health insurance?
Fellows receive a health care stipend. How these funds are distributed depends on the policies host organization. How these funds are distributed depends on the host organization’s policies. If a health care option is not provided, Fellows are able to use the funds to pay directly for individual coverage.
What other benefits are included in the Fellows’ compensation package?
Fellows receive a professional development stipend. The professional development stipend may be used to earn or maintain professional credentials, take academic coursework towards a degree, attend conferences, workshops, trainings, or other informal learning opportunities, prepare for graduate school, renew membership as part of an affiliation or membership association, purchase books, magazines, or subscriptions, or any other opportunity that may enhance the individual’s career pathway. Additionally, Fellows registration, travel, and lodging to several national conferences is paid for by Tzedek.
Do Fellows get any time off?
Fellows receive time off in accordance with their host organization’s leave policies. Please refer to the position descriptions for further details.
Are Fellows offered housing?
The Tzedek program does not offer housing to Fellows. In order to facilitate the transition of relocating Fellows, Tzedek staff provide new Fellows with information about Asheville and introductions to past Fellows who often have housing leads.