Who We Are
What We Do
Since 1993, Operation Understanding DC (OUDC) has worked with youth in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) with the goal of empowering a generation of social justice leaders who will promote respect, understanding, and cooperation while fighting to eradicate all forms of discrimination.
OUDC’s signature program is the Social Justice Fellowship, a transformational year-long program for high school sophomores and juniors. Our Fellows are dedicated to learning how to recognize, confront, and challenge discrimination where they find it and educating their communities on how to do the same. They build bridges and use their conflict resolution skills to bring together people of different backgrounds.
OUDC serves as a thought leader in the DMV on issues of racial equity and social justice, working in a number of leadership roles to advance change. Through various community engagements, we also facilitate critical dialogue to propel change toward social justice and promote young people as key assets in the movement.
3 Phases of Transformation
OUDC's Social Justice Fellowship
Each year, OUDC facilitates its year long signature program to empower the next generation of social justice leaders.
Understanding History
Self-exploration, dialogue, community-building
Living History
Immersive learning experiences and travel
Making History
Leadership development for the next generation of social justice leaders
Graduating Fellows are able to recognize, confront and challenge all forms of discrimination and educate others on how to do the same.
FAQ
Organization
Why does OUDC exist?
Discrimination, in all its forms, continues to be an insidious and pervasive problem in America. Through OUDC's year-long Social Justice Fellowship, OUDC seeks to shift the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of the Fellows. All of our components of the Fellowship are designed to encourage a dialogue that demands that the Fellows scrutinize and modify their own behavior and thoughts. The intense experiential learning that occurs during the Fellowship, especially our Summer Journey, is the catalyst for changed attitudes and increased social consciousness to lead engagement in the movement for social justice.
What is OUDC’s impact?
As of 2026, more than 700 students have directly participated in OUDC’s Social Justice Fellowship Program. Through the outreach effort of the Fellows, more than 65,000 students and adults have participated in fulfilling our overall goal—the elimination of all forms of discrimination.
How did the organization begin?
Operation Understanding DC was founded in 1993 by Karen Kalish to bridge divides and honor the historical allyship between Black and Jewish communities. Karen was inspired by a similar program in Philadelphia started by The Honorable William H. Gray III, then a U.S. Congressman representing Philadelphia, and George M. Ross. With more than one and a quarter million African Americans and 215,000 Jews in the D.C. metro area, Karen was sure such a program could have an enormous impact on, and make a major change in the deteriorating relationship between, the two groups in the nation's capital.
Is Operation Understanding a national organization?
No, OUDC is not part of an umbrella organization. However, it is not the only Operation Understanding program in the country, such as the one in Philadelphia, PA. Our organizations strive to help young leaders on their quest for a more just world. Each organization individually determines program curriculum, class size, and admissions standards. In addition, each group has its own Board of Directors and is responsible for its own budget.
Programming
Who can participate?
OUDC recruits high school sophomores and juniors from all over the Washington metropolitan area. Students must have demonstrated leadership potential, inquisitiveness, maturity, and commitment to their community. Our students attend a variety of public, private, and charter schools in the greater Washington area.
What is the application process?
Application deadlines are set annually. Please click on the “apply” section of our website for additional details. Only students who submit their completed application by the deadline will be considered for an interview. *July 1, 2026, is the application deadline to be considered for the Social Justice cohort for 2026-2027.*
How many students are in each class?
OUDC accepts about 24 students each year.
How long is the program?
OUDC is a year-long program. From November to November.
How much are participants required to pay to join the program?
There is no charge for participation in OUDC’s program, and students are selected without regard to financial status. If a student needs transportation support, the staff will work with the student to make sure everyone can have access to the program.
What is an OUDC facilitation or workshop?
OUDC empowers students to combat discrimination and promote respect through their actions and by engaging our community in open, honest dialogue. By facilitating diversity workshops, our students provide their peers, younger students, and adults with the opportunity to discuss their fears, ask questions, and share their experiences by using age- and group-appropriate exercises. Students are trained to maintain a neutral position on discussion content; to engage all participants in the conversation; and to handle racist and offensive remarks.
Funding
Who funds the program?
Funding comes from generous, private donations from individuals, foundations, congregations, and corporations who share our vision of equality.
Are contributions to OUDC tax-deductible?
Contributions made to Operation Understanding DC, a 501 (c) (3) organization, are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law.