Legislative Fellows 2011-2012

As the public policy arm of the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, the IPA works to protect Jewish interests and freedoms by providing government officials with informative policy briefings, advocating legislative and regulatory initiatives, and coordinating our constituency’s grass-roots political activities. Importantly, the IPA works to bring the unique perspective of Jewish law and tradition to bear upon a wide range of public policy issues confronting American society at large, thus seeking to fulfill our mission to work for the betterment of the world — tikkun olam — for all of humankind.

The Legislative Fellowship is an intensive one year position for dedicated individuals their first year out of college — would advocate in Washington, DC for Jewish values and interests in the public policy arena on behalf of the Orthodox Jewish community. He/she will take part in a wide range of activities including monitoring legislative activity, developing synagogue social action programming, coordinating special events, creating educational materials, and mobilizing the grassroots of American Orthodox Jewry.

Previous Legislative Fellows have continued on to acquire prestigious positions in politics, communications and Jewish communal life.

Specific responsibilities include:

Legislative Advocacy — The Fellow will have primary responsibility for monitoring legislation; representing the Orthodox Union on Capitol Hill and in coalitions; and for ensuring that the voice of the OU community’s nearly 900 congregations, 1,000 rabbis and thousands of members is heard.

Events — The OU/IPA has produced and sponsored public conferences on a range of issues examining the interface of Halakha and public policy; the OU/IPA also produces missions to Washington where community leaders meet policymakers. The Legislative Fellow will play a lead role in designing and executing these events.

Communications — The OU/IPA is in the communications business; our policy statements must be heard in the public square, our programs must be attended and integrated into policymakers’ thinking. The Fellow will have a lead responsibility in putting new information on our web site, issuing press releases, making advocacy network phone calls, and e-mailing to thousands of people; ultimately disseminating our materials nationwide.

The OU/IPA Legislative Fellow is a one year position commencing in Sept., 2011. There is an annual stipend of approximately $26,000 before taxes and subsidized health insurance.

Application for the 2011-2012 OU/IPA Legislative Fellowship
Completed application (including letters of recommendation) must be received by June 21, 2011. All Applications can be sent to rkatz@ou.org

For Application Click Here – Application-2011-2012.pdf