Jewish Studies Interdisciplinary Program

Service Learning Course

Teacher helps young student with math
JS 390cs: Nonprofit Internship in the Jewish Community

Spring 2021: Wednesdays (every other Wednesday), 3:30 - 6:15 p.m. Enrollment by permission only.  

This course provides CSUN students with an opportunity for civic engagement and work experience in the non-profit social welfare and political action sector of the Los Angeles Jewish community. The course is open to upper-division students of all religious and ethnic backgrounds, and all Majors and Minors, with permission of the instructor.

Students in Service Learning in the Jewish Community work 100 hours (6-8 hours per week) in a non-profit organization. Students also meet bimonthly to share their work experiences, problem-solve, hear guest lectures, gain work-related skills, and discuss the reading. Writing assignments include weekly journals of the work experience; and at the end of the semester, and each student writes an evaluation research paper to analyze his or her practical experience. $1000 stipend is paid to students engaged in non-salaried work at the successful completion of course work.

The professor finds appropriate work placements in accordance with students' interests.

This course is offered every semester, but the offering for Fall 2020 has been postponed to Spring 2021.  The application process starts during the semester prior to the course offering.  

For more information or to apply for enrollment, email Dr. Terry Hatkoff at terry.hatkoff@csun.edu or call the Jewish Studies Program director at 818 677 3007.

Benefits

  • Learn skills relevant to future careers
  • "Try out" a possible career
  • Find a mentor, a role model, and students with similar interests
  • Receive personal satisfaction from helping others
  • Fulfill upper-division General Education requirements in Section
  • Fulfill internship requirement in your Major
  • $1000 stipend upon successful completion of the course

Example Internship Placements

  • Peer counseling and advocacy for recovering addicts (Beit Tshuvah)
  • Legal aid for the poor and elderly (Bet Tzedek)
  • Support and occupational training for veterans and high school students (Jewish Vocational Service)
  • Human Rights, Political Action (Jewish World Watch, Jewish Labor Committee)
  • Journalism (Los Angeles Jewish Journal)
  • Assistant to the Musical Director (L.A. Jewish Symphony)
  • Student Outreach (Hillel)
  • Program Activities (synagogue youth groups, after-school children's programs)
  • Special Education (Chaverim program for disabled adults, Vista del Mar residential school for children with special needs)
  • Program activities for the elderly (Jewish Home for the Aging, Valley Storefront)
  • Public Relations (Jewish Federation, Valley Alliance Office)
  • Teacher's Assistant or Athletic Coaching (Heschel Day School, Valley Beth Shalom, Temple Ahavat Shalom, Milken Community High School, de Toledo High School)