Kesher Israel: What is Tikkun Olam?

Tikkun Olam

What is Tikkun Olam?

{Tikkun Olam means Reparing the World} You are not required to complete the work, yet you are not allowed to desist from it.
- Pirkei Avot, 2:21

Tikkun Olam is the imperative to repair the world, so that it reflects the divine values of Justice (tzedek), Compassion (hesed), and Peace (shalom). Kesher Israel's Tikun Olam is dedicated to finding Jewish ways in which to improve the World.

The concept of Tikkun Olam was created by Rabbi Isaac Luria in the city of Safed during the sixteenth century. Today, Tikkun Olam is identified with working for social justice, peace, freedom, equality, and the resotration of the environment.

Clearly, all three terms are connected with each other, and all are aspects of Tikkun Olam - repairing a broken world. Tikkun Olam is our Jewish mandate to do what we can to make the world a better place for all of God’s children. Tzedakah, of course, is charity - and it comes from the Hebrew word tzedek, which means justice. Thus, giving tzedakah is simply doing what is right and just. G’milut hasadim are deeds of loving-kindness - giving of our time, our energy, ourselves, to help others on a personal level. Cooking for the homeless, visiting the sick or the elderly, paying a condolence call, are all examples of g’milut hasadim. Social Action focuses on community work and engagement in activities that further Social Justice locally and globally. Social Action is striving to effect change in the laws of our country; protesting when wrongs are perceived; trying to make justice a reality for all. We hope that each and every one of you will engage in some aspect of Tikkun Olam, so that we can truly say we did our part to try to make God’s kingdom on earth a reality. Such deeds are truly wonderful family activities - it is time well spent, and teaches the values we want our children to live by throughout their lives.

We have many opportunities during the course of the year for those congregants seeking to become involved in acts of Tikkun Olam.

Our year begins with our annual Operation Isaiah Canned Food Drive. This is our High Holiday drive which collects canned good for the Federation Mitzvah Pantry. This Food Pantry services the entire Philadelphia area. This has been a huge success over the years and continues to be a wonderful way to begin the New Year.

During Hanukkah we have our Lydia Frederick Toy Drive. Lydia was a child who was enrolled at KI Preschool and Kindergarten. Lydia never had the opportunity to attend as she was diagnosed with Neuroblasoma and died right before her third birthday. In her memory, her family has a toy drive of which all of the toys go to The Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. All donated items will first be sent to the Oncology Ward at CHOP and then be dispersed throughout the hospital.

On Christmas morning we provide a luncheon at the Salvation Army for those who would have no other place to go for their holiday meal. The meals are home cooked and served by members of our congregation. This program brings warmth and comfort to those who otherwise would be alone and hungry during their holiday.

During Purim we are commanded to give to the poor. Here at Kesher Israel we run our Personal Care Products Drive. We collect all sorts of personal care products for the Women’s and Children’s Shelter in Coatesville. Last year the drive was so successful that we were able to send the over flow to Safe Harbor in the borough of West Chester.

Prior to Passover we have a Passover Food Drive. The Food collected goes to the Mitzvah Pantry in Wynnewood for those individuals and families who are unable or cannot afford to do their Passover Shopping, prior to the first Seder.

We end the year with our Back to School Supply Drive. The supplies collected in the spring go to the Women and children’s Health Consortium of Chester County. This way under privileged children will be able to start the school year with new pencils, notebooks, back-packs as well as other items.

Besides these annual drives we have other programs which have become staples at Kesher Israel.

Community Gleaning Garden: this garden encourages the planting of crops that are easily recognizable for both new volunteer gardeners and well as families utilizing the food banks such as greens, beets, carrots and beans. These crops also stand up well if not picked often and are shelf-stable with refrigeration. Our goal with this project is two-fold. The first is to assist Chester County food banks to provide fresh produce to families in need and the second is to encourage more members of the community to garden organically and make connections within their community to ensure that all of us can thrive.

Safe Harbor: Each month members of our congregation cook and serve meals at Safe Harbor in the heart of West Chester. This is an excellent opportunity for families to be involved in a very worthy and much appreciated cause. Now that Safe Harbor includes a Women’s shelter, our participation in this organization has taken on new life and is much appreciated.

Internal Rapid Response Team – Mitzvah Corp: This group of congregants are in place to rise to the aid of any congregant during a time of high. That could be in the form of meals during Shiva, visitations to the hospital during and illness. This group is just re-forming and creating the very parameters that will be in place for years to come. If you are interested in helping out your fellow congregants, please contact the Kesher Israel office and they will direct you accordingly.

External Rapid Response Team : This sub-committee is in its fledgling stages. The idea is to have in place a team of congregants that can rise to a short term crisis that have befallen Chester County. They would organize anything from clothing drives, food drives and even short term shelter as was done for this past year for a two week period at Kesher Israel. Women in Chester County, who had no other place to call home while finding suitable housing, found shelter in Kesher Israel’s basement managed by giving, caring congregants. If this is something you would like to be involved in , please contact the Kesher Israel Office and you will be directed accordingly.

All of these programs and several more are family oriented. Additionally, they are the perfect avenue for those going through their B’nai Mitzvah to fulfill their Community Service obligation.

The Tikkun Olam Committee meets several times a year and is always open to new ideas and members. Please contact the Synagogue Office and you will be put in touch with the Chairperson of Tikkun Olam. There is no better feeling than knowing your actions have changed the world or at the very least made a difference in someone’s life.

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Affiliated with The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

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