Applications for the 2024-2025 Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Program are now closed. The application for the 2025-2026 program will open in early 2025. Sign up here to receive updates about the program or contact Assistant Legislative Director Jacob Greenblatt with any questions.
About the Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Fellowship
The Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Program is a year-long fellowship for recent college graduates or individuals with equivalent academic and professional experience who are interested in Judaism, social justice, and public policy. Being an Eisendrath Legislative Assistant (LA) at the Religious Action Center (RAC) of Reform Judaism means getting involved and playing a pivotal role in our work: legislative advocacy, leadership development programs, communications, organizing, and supporting the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism (CSA).
The salary for the 2024-2025 cohort is $42,000, and the program will run from August 20, 2024 to August 8, 2025.
We are particularly interested in investing in and engaging with applicants who come from underrepresented and marginalized backgrounds. This includes People of Color, people with disabilities, people coming from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized identities. LAs are at the heart of every aspect of the Reform Movement's social justice work, and we are committed to making the Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Fellowship and RAC reflective of the diverse Movement and wider Jewish communities we represent. No specific academic or Jewish background is required to be a legislative assistant, and applicants do not need to be affiliated with the Reform Movement. Learn more about the fellowship's focus on racial equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Each LA takes on a different policy portfolio (based in resolutions adopted by the Commission on Social Action, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis), bringing a Reform Jewish perspective to the crucial social justice issues of the day. LAs are the lead staff members on their policy issues, playing a key role developing strategy, drafting materials, and driving our work forward. One LA, the Linda Rae Sher Legislative Assistant, will work on abortion, reproductive rights, and women’s rights. All work occurs across lines of difference, recognizing that building transformative relationships is core to achieving a world in which Judaism enables all people to experience peace and wholeness (shalom), justice and equity (tzedek), and belonging and joy (shayachut and simcha).
LAs' work includes:
- Advocacy: The LAs have primary responsibility for monitoring legislation; representing the Reform Jewish Movement institutions to Capitol Hill, the White House, and coalitions; and ensuring that the voice of the Reform Jewish Movement's nearly 850 congregations, 2,000 rabbis, and 1.8 million Reform Jews are heard. Each LA takes on a different policy portfolio (based in resolutions adopted by the Commission on Social Action, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis), bringing a Reform Jewish perspective to the crucial social justice issues of the day. The LAs are the lead staff member on their policy issues, playing a key role developing strategy, drafting materials, and driving our work forward. One LA, The Linda Sher Legislative Assistant, will work on abortion, reproductive rights, and women’s rights.
- Leadership Development and Programs: Some 2,000 people participate in RAC-led conferences each year, which the LAs help plan, program and coordinate. Many LAs have found their opportunity to serve as the faculty for the L'Taken Teen Social Justice Seminars - the five weekend-long social justice seminars for high school students that we run each year - to be a highlight of their time at the RAC.
- Communications: LAs help guide our website, action alerts, blog posts, social media, press releases, and other communications to decision makers and the media, as well as our congregational leaders and Reform Jews who engage in advocacy.
- Community Organizing: LAs partner with our nine state-based affiliates to enhance our advocacy at the state and local level and support congregations to bring social justice closer to the center of their work. LAs also work on Movement-wide civic engagement and issue-based campaigns.
- The Commission on Social Action (CSA): The LAs prepare materials for the CSA's meetings, work with its members and task forces to shape resolutions on evolving policy priorities and to bring them to the boards of the URJ and CCAR. Interactions with CSA members are another highlight of the experience for many LAs.
WHAT ARE CURRENT AND FORMER LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANTS SAYING ABOUT THE PROGRAM?
Following the fellowship year, many Eisendrath Legislative Assistants attend graduate school or pursue careers in advocacy, Jewish life, academia, law, public policy, and more. Hear directly from current and former LAs about how the program has impacted their lives and careers.
“The LA position has given me the opportunity to dive deep into the federal policy world, while also learning about the unique ways in which we can organize in the faith-based space. I have been able to sit at the same table as experts in my issue areas and engage in active, hands-on learning, which has been an invaluable experience. This is truly such an amazing first job to have!” – Ellen Garfinkle (she/her), 2023-2024 Eisendrath Legislative Assistant
“I started the LA fellowship a couple years after college to transition from a community role as a public school teacher to the broader policymaking landscape. While I anticipated challenges leaving the daily, personal championship of my students, I now get to research opportunities for legislative advocacy, collaborate with coalition partners, and organize action from our base—all in areas I deeply care about. It's a unique experience to work for an organization whose mission is to bring our shared values into action. This experience is also preparing me to critically consider the ways in which different spheres of influence come together. At the end of the fellowship, I will bring the gained knowledge, sharpened skills, and an expanded network into the field I want to pursue long-term.” – CJ Wechsler (they/them), 2023-2024 Eisendrath Legislative Assistant
"I am grateful for my time as an LA at the RAC, which provided me hands-on, professional experience within legislative advocacy, community organizing, and policy reform, and helped prepare me for my new leadership roles as Policy and Advocacy Director for National Religious Partnership for the Environment and Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. I learned how to run and participate in effective meetings with House and Senate offices, represent Reform Jewish values at meaningful events, and take lead on engaging the Jewish community in support of just legislation. As a Hispanic, Latino Jew of Color, I am grateful to have brought a new perspective to this role and to have supported work that reflects not only my personal values, but provides greater education, opportunity, and possibilities for others." - Israel Harris (he/him), Advocacy Director for Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) and Policy Director for National Religious Partnership for the Environment (NRPE), 2021-2023 Eisendrath Legislative Assistant
"The Legislative Assistant Fellowship at the RAC is like no other early-career experience. I had the opportunity to interface with top leaders and contribute in a direct, meaningful way to the policies within my portfolio areas. I formed valuable relationships and learned how to turn a passion for Judaism and justice into concrete action. I credit this experience with setting me on my career path as a rabbi, community organizer, and now Executive Director of Women of Reform Judaism!" - Rabbi Liz P.G. Hirsch (she/her), Executive Director of Women of Reform Judaism
"Working as an LA at the RAC was exactly the first job I needed. The work helped me learn the ropes of DC advocacy and public policy, as well as develop the skill set to be successful working on Capitol Hill and beyond. I learned from wonderful mentors at the RAC and its partner organizations. Above all, the opportunity to advocate on behalf of the Jewish community in pursuit of repairing the world was an extraordinary opportunity early in my career, and I would do it again in a heartbeat." - Charlie Arnowitz, Policy Advisor to Governor Jared Polis (CO), 2013-2014 Eisendrath Legislative Assistant
APPLICATIONS
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) maintains a strong policy of equal opportunity in employment. It is our objective to recruit, hire, and retain the most qualified individuals including those of any race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Our equal employment philosophy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, promotions, transfers, job benefits, and terminations. The URJ encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
