Abby Cortrin

Abby Cortrin is an alumna of Macalester College who first moved to Chicago in 2011 to participate in Avodah as an Asset Building Program Aide for Heartland Human Care Services. After completing her Service Corps year, Abby worked at EZRA Multi-Service Center as the JUF Uptown Cafe Milieu and Group Services Coordinator and later as the Health and Nutrition Manager. Abby came back to work for Avodah as a staff member in 2016 as the Chicago Program Director and now as the National Service Corps Director. Abby continues to be energized in her work with the next generation of Jews engaging in the creation of a more just world and supporting Avodah staff along the way. Outside of work, Abby is a member of the Davening Team at Mishkan Chicago, and can often be found at the gym, on the rugby pitch, taking in local art, studying Talmud, hosting BBQ's with her wife Jay, walking her dogs Billie and Midge or taking in all the great food Chicago has to offer.

A group of Avodah members on steps facing two people.

WRJ YES Fund Grantee

Avodah’s Jews of Color Bayit Turns Two With Help From WRJ’s YES Fund

Abby Cortrin

March 2, 2023

Thanks to WRJ’s YES Fund, Avodah's Corps Members, who self-identify as Jews of Color (JOC), are given the opportunity to live in a JOC-only space for the duration of the program. This allows participants to enjoy deep learning and community building while maintaining a space to disconnect, process, and celebrate their experiences.