Tikkun Olam, translated as “repair the world”, is one of the most universally known Jewish concepts. Embraced by Jews of every nation and every denomination, tikkun olam has become a rallying cry for the next generation of Jewish leaders to take action against social inequalities in their communities.
As we deal with the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us may wonder how we can continue to embody tikkun olam while taking care of ourselves and those around us.
Resources are tight, many are stressed, and the job of restoration seems daunting.
Serve the Moment, an initiative of Repair the World and the Jewish Service Alliance, was created for these challenges. Their flagship program, a part-time stipended program called the Serve the Moment Service Corps, connects Jewish young adults (ages 18-29) with nonprofit partners where they will volunteer virtually or in person for 10 hours per week. Another two hours per week will be spent learning about root causes of injustice, building intersectional Jewish communities, and anti-racism, with nationally recognized educators such as Ruth Messinger of American Jewish World Service featured in their inaugural summer cohort.
Serve the Moment is also spearheading four nationwide campaigns to bring awareness of food insecurity, loss of employment, the loss of education, and the social isolation brought about by COVID-19.
From now until September 14, go to www.servethemoment.org to learn more and apply to be part of the Fall Service Corps.
Putting thoughts and beliefs into concrete action can take a person out of their comfort zone. The work is much, the workers are few. It is not our obligation to finish the work, but we cannot walk away and not do anything. This is what tikkun olam means at its core.
(Content sponsored by Serve The Moment.)