Jews for Abortion Access Organizer, Greater Philadelphia

Job description

Jews for Abortion Access Organizer, Greater Philadelphia About NCJW National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a 133-year-old Jewish feminist civil rights organization working for equity and justice for women, children, and families in the United States and Israel. With our 250,000 grassroots advocates, we combine education, direct service, and advocacy to create lasting social change. We approach our work through a Jewish, gender, economic, and racial justice lens, centering those most impacted. Our deep partnerships across progressive, faith-based, and governmental spaces reflect our intersectional values. Through the Jews for Abortion Access campaign, NCJW educates, organizes, and mobilizes the Jewish community to advance reproductive freedom and ensure that all people can access abortion care free from stigma and barriers. With support from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's Women of Vision, NCJW is making a two-year investment in expanding this work throughout Greater Philadelphia.The initiative will engage Jewish individuals, Jewish communal institutions, and the broader Jewish community across Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware counties through Jewish-values-based education, leadership development, and advocacy. Importantly, this work will build on the strong grassroots foundation of NCJW Greater Philadelphia, whose volunteer leaders already organize and mobilize locally. The initiative will deepen the partnership between NCJW's national campaign and local section leaders while expanding the broader network of Greater Philadelphia Jews engaged in reproductive freedom. About the Position NCJW seeks a Greater Philadelphia Jews for Abortion Access Organizer to help build and deepen a local network of Jewish leaders ready to take action for reproductive freedom. This is first and foremost a relationship-building and community-organizing role. Working closely with NCJW's national staff and in partnership with the volunteer leadership of NCJW Greater Philadelphia, the organizer will connect with Jewish community members and institutions across the region; recruit and develop volunteer leaders; grow participation in NCJW programs including Repro Shabbat and Rabbis for Repro; and connect local advocates with meaningful opportunities to learn, organize, and take action. NCJW's HQ staff will provide overall campaign strategy, program content and resources, advocacy expertise, communications support, and training. The organizer's role is to bring that strategy to life locally — building the relationships, identifying leaders, recruiting participants, and creating the sustained local engagement necessary to grow the movement. The initial contract will run from October 2026 through May 2027, with the likelihood of continuation into the second year of the initiative. See Contract Logistics below for additional details about the contract structure, time commitment, and compensation. Key Responsibilities Local Organizing, Relationship Building, and Community Outreach Develop a close working partnership with NCJW Greater Philadelphia's volunteer leadership and existing grassroots base, building on their knowledge, relationships, and ongoing local organizing. Build and maintain relationships with Jewish women, advocates, students, and other potential leaders across Greater Philadelphia, recruiting new participants through community events, personal networks, and relational organizing. Deepen engagement among local advocates by identifying emerging leaders, connecting them with NCJW training, Jewish learning, advocacy, and organizing opportunities, and supporting them in taking meaningful leadership roles. Mobilize the local network around timely reproductive freedom advocacy opportunities identified in partnership with NCJW HQ and NCJW Greater Philadelphia. Help organize occasional local gatherings, trainings, actions, and opportunities to support abortion providers in partnership with NCJW staff and local leaders. As capacity allows, build relationships with local reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations, coalitions, abortion providers, and clinics, helping connect Jews for Abortion Access and its local leaders with the broader reproductive freedom movement. Repro Shabbat and Rabbis for Repro A core focus of this role will be expanding NCJW's engagement with synagogues, clergy, and Hillels across Greater Philadelphia through Repro Shabbat and Rabbis for Repro. In partnership with NCJW Greater Philadelphia leaders, lead local relationship-building and recruitment for Repro Shabbat 2027 (February 5-6, 2027), with a significant focus on engaging synagogues and Hillels that have not previously participated, while continuing to support existing participating communities to ensure their continued participation. Build relationships with clergy, lay leaders, Hillel professionals and student leaders, and other Jewish community partners to significantly expand local participation in Repro Shabbat. Grow the local Rabbis for Repro network by identifying and recruiting clergy who are not yet part of the network, while re-engaging existing members in opportunities to participate in Repro Shabbat, teach, speak, advocate, and recruit their colleagues. Serve as a local point of connection for participating institutions and leaders, connecting them with NCJW campaign materials, resources, and staff support. Tracking and Coordination Track outreach, relationships, volunteer engagement, Repro Shabbat commitments, clergy participation, Hillel engagement, and other key grant metrics. Meet regularly with NCJW’s national campaign staff to coordinate priorities, share local insights, troubleshoot challenges, and identify opportunities. Provide updates on organizing progress, emerging leaders, partnerships, and areas where additional national support is needed. Contribute to grant reporting for the initiative, including drafting written updates and narrative responses and compiling program data and outcomes. Qualifications and Experience The strongest candidates will bring many of the following: Demonstrated ability to build authentic relationships and move people from initial interest into meaningful participation. Experience recruiting, organizing, or supporting volunteers and helping volunteers take ownership of the work. Strong interpersonal skills and comfort initiating conversations and building new relationships. Strong follow-through, organization, and ability to independently manage relationships and priorities. Familiarity with the Greater Philadelphia Jewish community and enthusiasm for spending time building relationships across it. Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with a national team and local volunteer leaders. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Comfort working with people across a range of backgrounds, ages, and levels of engagement and experience. Commitment to reproductive freedom and alignment with NCJW’s mission and values. Deep expertise or experience in reproductive rights advocacy is not required. NCJW will provide issue education, messaging, programmatic resources, training, and national campaign support. We are particularly interested in someone who knows how — and is excited — to organize people, develop volunteer leaders, and build community. Contract Logistics Contract period : October 2026–May 2027, with the likelihood of continuation into the second year of the initiative. Time commitment : This is not an hourly position; the contractor will be engaged to complete the scope of work described above and paid according to the schedule below. We anticipate the scope will generally require approximately 7–15 hours per week, with time commitments fluctuating based on the organizing calendar. Peak campaign and programmatic moments may require more time, balanced by lighter weeks at other points during the contract. The contractor will have flexibility to structure their time around their own schedule and existing commitments. Because community organizing often happens when community members are available, some evening and weekend availability will be needed, along with some availability during regular business hours to connect with NCJW staff and participate in relevant meetings. Total contract : $17,000. The contractor will invoice NCJW monthly for $2,125 and will be paid monthly over the eight-month contract period. Employment status : This is a 1099 independent contractor position, not an employee position, and is not eligible for NCJW employee benefits. Location and travel : The organizer must reside in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, or Montgomery County and be available to attend in-person meetings, programs, and community events throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. The contractor must have access to their own laptop and be able to travel locally by car and/or public transportation as needed. Select work-related travel expenses can be reimbursed by NCJW on a case-by-case basis, with written pre-approval. Reports to : Senior Director, Campaign Strategy Application Process: NCJW will accept applications through September 7, 2026. Selected applicants will be invited to participate in interviews during September, and we anticipate that candidates under serious consideration will participate in two conversations before a contractor is selected. We hope to complete the selection process in September to allow for an October 2026 start. This timeline may shift as the process unfolds, and we will communicate with applicants throughout about next steps and anticipated timing.