Jason’s Zelikow School of Jewish Nonprofit Management field placement is with Camp Ramah in the development department. He said, “I wanted to work with camp and in development, a skill I wanted to make sure I had in my toolbox. I believe every nonprofit professional is a fundraiser, even if that is not explicitly a part of their job description.”

Jason shares more about his academic and professional background: “This is my second time in graduate school. I completed my undergraduate and graduate studies at USC. I defended my Ph.D. in 2013 and have spent the time since then working as a freelance science journalist, covering wildlife and conservation, work that I began doing while I was still in grad school. After more than a decade, I became burnt out and thought about how to make a change; I felt like I needed to do something a little more hopeful. Before I became interested in science, I always thought I would wind up in the Jewish nonprofit space. The pandemic came along and I thought if there’s a time to make a change, it is now. The Zschool MAJNM stood out as the program to do to help facilitate making that change. Zschool is focused on field placements, which was important to me. The opportunity at my age to focus on school for a couple of years is a dream. In my extra time, I teach for the Jerome H. Louchheim School for Judaic Studies; I am a Teaching Assistant for Jewish History which is a blast.”

Jason works about 20 hours a week with Ramah as his field placement and has worked on several projects. “I developed the strategy and collateral for the Giving Tuesday campaign during Hanukkah and transformed it into a full 8-day campaign. I helped with the big gala which happened in person in December. I strategized and developed collateral for direct mailers. I attend board and staff meetings and spend time with professional staff and lay leaders. I am writing the annual report for 2021 and doing major donor stewardship. Because of the skills I already have, I have also been doing a lot of communications and other kids of writing.”

This is the second time Ramah has done the Virtual 5k. The event was created due to the pandemic, but it has been a success because people can participate from wherever they are. Jason shared that it is a great way to engage as much of the community as possible while also fundraising. Children have been able to learn and practice fundraising – even if they raise just $5 or $18, they are supporting an institution that is important to them and soliciting others to do the same. Want to participate or get involved? Visit: ramah.org/virtual-5k/