The JCC is excited to announce the arrival of our new Tzedek Social Justice Fellow, Matthew Andersen. The Tzedek Social Justice Fellowship is a project of the Amy Mandel and Katina Rodis Fund which works to both subsidize local, social justice organizations with an employee and develop those fellows as social justice professionals.
I found the Tzedek Fellowship while searching for Jewish jobs in Asheville that would let me fully embrace my LGBT identities. This job fit that bill better than I could have ever hoped for. I’m hoping to continue the amazing work done by previous Tzedek Fellows in both facilitating Jewish life generally in Asheville and specifically making a difference for LGBT Jews in our community. Some of my specific goals are to create a network of Jewish resources related to gender transition in Asheville, to create a deep sense of community here for Jews ages 21-35. More generally, I care deeply about building Jewish identity, racial justice and transgender equality.
So far, my impression of the Asheville Jewish Community is of a warm, welcoming community, who are more than willing to embrace all newcomers.
You can get to know me by following my blog on the Tzedek Fellowship website tzedekfellowship.org or by coming to any of the YAJA (Young Adult Jews of Asheville) or LGBTQ Jew events that I will be at.
Events related to YAJA and LGBTQ Jew programs can be found on the JCC events calendar.
To stay informed about the latest YAJA and LGBTQ Jew happenings and events, sign up for the JCC eNews!
