Tell us about your nominee. Why should he or she be recognized as a Jewish Community Hero?
Jodi Meyerowitz is a senior at the University of Oregon studying Economics and Planning, Public Policy, and Management.
Eleven years ago, Jodi immigrated from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Portland, Oregon, a move that exposed her to a diversity within the Jewish community that she had not known before; although this diversity scared her at first, it has since served as a great source of inspiration. Throughout high school, Jodi served as President of the Portland Chapter of the youth group, NCSY and led children's programming at her synagogue. She has carried her passion for Judaism and Jewish leadership with her through college.
At the University of Oregon Jodi served as the Student Board President of Oregon Hillel during the 2008-2009 school year, and as Engagement Vice President the previous year. During her terms on Student Board she spearheaded planning for a weekend social justice retreat that tied together Judaism and social justice, one of the only of its kind in the history of Oregon Hillel. She served as the committee co-chair for the University's Israel at 60 celebrations, which consisted of a week long worth of programming including dialogues with Jewish and Christian leaders, community service, a dinner about Israel and the environment that drew over fifty people, as well as Israeli cultural events on campus. During her sophomore year Jodi was selected to attend the Hillel Schusterman Leadership Assembly in Israel as the Oregon representative. Along with her involvement in Hillel, Jodi was active in the Chabad on campus as well as the Jewish Student Union. Any opportunity for involvement- Jodi was there. These experiences gave Jodi the tools she needed to inspire and empower her mentors.
One of the highlights of Jodi's college career is Shomer Achi, a yearlong social justice program for college students in Oregon and Haifa, Israel, to foster Jewish unity and strengthen Jewish identity, which she co-founded. Throughout the year the participants on Shomer Achi program (five in Haifa and five in Oregon) addressed social justice issues in the community relating to the immigration experience both in a Jewish context and in an America context. The students in both communities volunteered, engaged in dialogues, and studied Jewish principles and texts that draw on the program's themes. The Americans visited Israel in March to learn about how Israel addresses these issues, and the Israeli's returned earlier this month from a similar social justice trip to Oregon. Shomer Achi was made possible through a fellowship at the PresenTense Institute in Jerusalem for which Jodi selected in the summer of 2008. Jodi was one of three undergraduate fellows of a group of sixteen.
Jodi's college leadership and involvement can be characterized by building extensive networks within the Jewish community and also with the non Jewish community. Jodi has always strived to help others, set an example, explore Judaism, and encourage others to do the same.
