“I had heard things about the inner city from everyone I know for as long as I can remember, but when I got here, I saw caring people helping fix up their neighborhood and welcome us with open arms.  That made me feel like a part of the community and added a lot to my summer.  I hope that when I get home I can become involved with a community service organization to continue what I started here, which is learning how to help people rebuild.”
Detroit, MI, 1990

The American Jewish Society for Service offers opportunities for Jewish high school students to put their Jewish values into action as they provide significant and meaningful service to communities in need. AJSS engages in acts of "tikkun olam" -- repairing the world – one paint brush, one hammer, one shovel at a time.

The mission of the AJSS is to build Jewish leaders while simultaneously providing meaningful service to communities in need across America. We do this by providing opportunities for participants to take charge of individual programs, linking social justice with Jewish values, and challenging the way our participants view the world.  

Because of our programs, communities with limited exposure to Jewish people and practices have the chance to see Jewish young adults giving of themselves for the benefit of others while our participants learn about the complexities of communities, issues to which they have limited exposure, and community living outside of their own experiences.

AJSS is committed to creating a world where service is a central tenet and mainstay of Judaism. It is our hope that every AJSS alum will continue to put their Judaism into action and take the time to help those who are in need.

“I’m in the Peace Corps now and like my AJSS experience, no matter how hard I try, I inevitably find that I feel like I recive more from the experience than I can give.”
Fowler, CO, 2000