(idea submitted by Elissa G.)
It is no secret that Jewish Young Adults of today are primarily part of the privileged upper-middle class, except for the few who are middle class or upper class. It is also no secret that part of being of the upper-middle class is the guilt associated with being upper-middle class. Therefore, in order to assuage that guilt, JYAs have incorporated a compulsory stint in volunteering, which usually happens from 18 to 30, as a veritable rite of passage into adulthood.
What is unique about this volunteer work is that JYAs will pay extraordinary sums of money, or rather their parents will, just to add this required line to their Nice Jewish Boy/Girl resume. Considering this, many organizations have capitalized on guilt and created entire institutions devoted toward taking money from the parents of JYAs in exchange for an opportunity to alleviate some guilt with a bevy of opportunities for volunteer work.
Want to spend two weeks on an alternative spring break digging irrigation ditches in Guatemala? All you need is a check for 550 bucks to the American Jewish World Service, plus you have to buy your own ticket. Want to help with Katrina relief for a week? Just sign up with your local Hillel for a mere 125 dollars and get yourself a round trip flight. Looking to help alleviate urban plight in your favorite metropolitan city? Just get yourself a Grand and sign up with Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps. Feeling a little more adventurous? Why not spend $7,600 for a 5 month experience in Jerusalem with WUJS?
But paying to volunteer isn’t just limited to do-goodery alone for the JYA. Any of the multiple programs available promise plenty of post-voluntary partying, and possible prurience. Some studies estimate that Jewish volunteer programs are usually comprised of only about two hours a day of actual work and the remaining 22 hours an even mix of drinking and trying to hook up
Effectively, even though JYAs are spending their hard earn cash on good causes, they also get the added benefit of being surrounded by other JYAs who similarly paid money to get their smooch on after half-assed attempts in volunteering.
I am a former Avodah participant and I just have to say that it is a year long program where you do (at least) 40 hours a week of work at some type of social service/legal aid etc. provider AND you get paid (barely enough to pay for rent and food, but enough) as well as Americorps money to help pay off your college debt or pay for grad school. I certainly didn’t save any money that year but I can’t really say that I “paid to volunteer.”
I think it is a great program and I highly recommend it.
WHO IS THE GIRL IN THE FIRST PICTURE I KNOW I KNOW HER. and i can’t even count the number of times i’ve paid for volunteer service. insane.
I don’t understand why AVODAH is mentioned here. I am a current NYC corps member and can attest to the fact that we are most definitely not paying to volunteer. As someone whose family could never afford to send me on exotic alternative spring break trips, I jumped at the opportunity to spend a year working (yes, working–for money) full time with people less privileged than I. There was no application fee. Many things this year are provided for us–partially subsidized housing, meals at our programming, monthly MetroCards, etc. I take offense at the implication that AVODAH attracts the same crowd that is willing to drop hundreds of dollars and invest just a week in Guatemala to build their resumes.