LIVE IN
MUMBAI
VOLUNTEER
MAKE AN IMPACT
JSC Summer Experience | INDIA
VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT
ABOUT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF INDIA
Holding the second largest population in the world, India has a staggering 1.2 billion people. Mumbai alone is home to 22 million people and over 70% live in slums. People living in the slums have limited access to electricity, clean water, food, and educational opportunities. Gabriel Project Mumbai primarily works in the Kawla Slum just outside of Mumbai which comprises 200,000 people.
The Jewish population in India is about 4,350 with 85% of the Jews living in Mumbai and the surrounding areas. This small yet vibrant Jewish community is one of the oldest in the world, tracing their roots as far back as 2,000 years. Because of India’s huge population and significant poverty, the country’s limited government-run social services are massively overloaded. The Jewish or Bene Israel community lack the welfare infrastructure to meet all of the needs of poor, elderly, and vulnerable Jews among them. JDC, operational in India for over four decades, partners with various local organizations to provide welfare services for the neediest Jews in the community and helps to develop vibrant Jewish life in Mumbai through programs at the local Jewish Community Center. To learn more, visit JDC’s India website.
WHAT WILL FELLOWS DO AT GPM
Fellows create innovative education programs and volunteer daily in the slums to facilitate lessons and interact with the children. Both formally and informally, Fellows teach a range of subjects such as English, math, hygiene, art and more! Overall, Entwine Fellows help instill an important love to learn for the local Indian children. This is apparent as our Fellows often walk into the GPM classroom the students exclaim with a smile “Hello Teachers!”
Fellows also get a chance to learn about GPM’s other initiatives such as visiting the newly-opened medical clinic and visiting the women’s empowerment kitchen where free meals are made daily for the students.
Fellows are simultaneously immersed in Mumbai’s vibrant Jewish community, working alongside Indian Jewish peers at the JCC and other local Jewish institutions.
On a typical weekday, Fellows take the train just outside of Mumbai to the Kawla Slums where GPM operates its programs. After teaching a few classes and learning about GPM’s grassroots work, Fellows return back to Mumbai to have a group activity which could be a site visit to a local JDC program, local community leader or Hindi language class.
Program Dates:
June 13 – August 7, 2017
Application Deadline
March 20,2017
Program Breakdown
Week 1: Orientation
Week 1-8: Daily Volunteer work in slums, with excursions, site visits and classes
Desired Qualifications:
- Background or interest in working on educational programs with children
- Flexibility and comfort working in the setting of India’s slums
- Ability to adapt, comfortable in new cultural contexts
- Passion for volunteerism and instilling the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam
Participation Fee: $1000 *
This includes:
- Housing
- Group activities and excursions
- Airport pick up/drop off in overseas location
- Transportation to/from service work site
- Some meals
- Comprehensive health and emergency evacuation insurance
- On-the-ground staff support
This does not include:
- Int’l airfare
- Most meals
- Visa (required for US passport holders; JDC will provide visa application instructions and support)
- Leisure activities
- Personal expenses
Visas: All accepted participants will be responsible for obtaining a visa to India. Upon acceptance, JDC will provide detailed logistics and instructions for applying for a visa.
APPLY NOW
The applications for the Multi-Week Jewish Service Corps – Summer 2017 session is now open!
Fill out this form if you’re interested in applying and we will send you an email with the applic
CONTACT
WHAT ARE PARTICIPANTS SAYING
Entwine is a one-of-a-kind movement for young Jewish leaders, influencers, and advocates who seek to make a meaningful impact on global Jewish needs and international humanitarian issues. We do this by offering service experiences in Jewish communities around the world, educational events and programs, and leadership development opportunities. Entwine is an initiative of JDC, the largest Jewish humanitarian organization in the world. JDC works in 70 countries, specializing in humanitarian aid, Jewish community renewal and disaster relief. Learn more: www.jdcentwine.org
About the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC): For over 95 years, JDC has provided rescue, relief, and renewal for Jewish communities outside of North America, helped Israel meet the needs of its most vulnerable citizens, and offered a Jewish response to natural and man-made disasters and non-sectarian development needs around the world. JDC’s work in over 70 countries is inspired by Jewish values of mutual responsibility, that kol yisrael areivim zeh l’zeh (all of Israel is responsible for one another), and tikkun olam, that Jews have an obligation to repair the world. Learn more: www.jdc.org