URJ World Zionist Congress Campaign Canvassers
Are you passionate about Israel? Are you concerned about the next chapter of Israel’s future? Join us for a paid opportunity to fight for Israel’s democracy, safety, and the future of Reform and Secular Jews in the Jewish State.
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) is seeking applicants for our World Zionist Congress (WZC) Campaign Canvassing Fellowship to support our work in our largest-ever mobilization effort in this crucial and uplifting campaign to support our Reform Jewish values in Israel.
This paid fellowship based in our major metropolitan areas is designed for young adults who are passionate about Israel and our Reform Jewish community to help with voter education, mobilization, in-person events, and the Get Out the Vote drive.
URJ WZC Campaign
The WZC is an elected legislative body that serves as a platform for Diaspora Jews to have a voice in Israel. Today, the WZC meets every five years to enact policies and make decisions that impact a billion dollars in spending.
During the WZC elections, which will be held from March 10- May 4, 2025, North American Reform Jews can cast a vote that will influence policy and $1 billion in budget decisions in Israel and advocate for democracy, pluralism, security, and humanitarian causes.
The URJ is running an unprecedented campaign for the 2025 WZC Election. The North American Reform Movement is building a passionate team of leaders in congregations and communities across the country. We are supporting this people-driven movement with a talented team of campaign and organizing professionals and the tactics, tools, technology, and know-how of cutting-edge campaigns.
The national campaign team and our regional leaders will support the congregational and community campaign captains to help them run a local campaign of education and engaging, community-building activities. Ultimately, we will run our biggest-ever GOTV effort in the 2025 WZC election, engaging tens of thousands of our people and building consensus that we want to write the next chapter of Jewish history together.
What’s at Stake?
Since October 7, we see that what happens in Israel impacts all Jews. We are facing rising levels of shocking, overt anti-Semitism in America. In 2024, there is no opting out – what happens in Israel affects us all.
Our opponents in the WZC election – ultra-orthodox religious fundamentalists – have a vision for the future of Israel that is diametrically opposed to ours. They are highly motivated and organizing against us to destroy what we value. If they win, they will chip away at Israel’s democracy; roll back gains for LGBTQ+ rights, gender equity, and religious pluralism; strip our Israeli Reform clergy and communities of their rights, funding, and infrastructure; make sure that our converts and children are not welcome in the Jewish state; and block any hope of Palestinian self-determination and safety. They want to write the next chapter of Jewish history and write us out of it.
The Israeli Reform Movement, our partners in Israel, are fighting every day to support and sustain a community at war and in trauma, while standing strong for Israeli democracy, pluralism, security, and a road to self-determination for Palestinians. Our campaign will help support these essential goals.
The WZC Canvassing Internship
Interns will work 8-10 hours per week for a $1,000 monthly stipend from January 15 – May 15. Weekend/evening hours will be required. Activities will include:
- Supporting local congregational captains and teams with their voter contact efforts – in-person, and by phone, text, zoom
- Helping to organize and do turnout for in-person events
- Staffing events to assist with set-up, canvassing, and running logistics
- Supporting local teams with Empower organizing app and communications
- Material printing orders and deliveries to local congregations
- Outreach at local JCCs and other Jewish community organizations
- Attending ongoing trainings from the URJ/RAC team
- Frequent canvassing to help collect votes
- Activating their own networks through social media posts and other outreach and engagement
Fellows will receive ongoing organizing training and have access to webinars, speakers, and other URJ sponsored events. Fellows will attend the three WZC Training modules, along with other training opportunities.
We are recruiting fellows in the following metropolitan areas. Ideally, fellows will already live in or attend school in the area:
- New York City
- San Francisco/Bay Area
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Philadelphia
- Detroit
- Washington, D.C.
- Chicago
- Atlanta
- Boston
- Houston
- New Jersey
Key Attributes and Qualifications
- Outgoing and enthusiastic energy with a can-do attitude
- Ability to take direction, assess what’s needed, and quickly take action
- Ability to build relationships with people with beliefs across the political spectrum
- Knowledge of and ideally relationships with the Jewish community and Reform Synagogues in your region (Congregations, Federation, JCCs etc.)
- Demonstrated passion for Israel, Zionism, and deep love of the Jewish community
- Excellent communication skills
- Organized, confident self-starter who works well independently and takes initiative
- Spirit of service and a sense of humor preferred
- Flexibility to work with many different volunteers and voters in varying settings
- Willingness to travel to locations in the city as needed
To apply, please submit your resume, a letter of reference, preferred region, and your answers to the following questions in 100-200 words to Veronica1@grossmansolutions.com:
- Why are you interested in the WZC Canvassing Fellowship?
- What does Zionism mean to you?
Questions about this opportunity can be emailed to: Veronica Grossman Veronica1@grossmansolutions.com