Tikkun Olam/Social Action
What is Tikkun Olam?
“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 Tikkun 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 restoration 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 Chamatz Food Drive. The Food collected goes to the Chester county Food Bank for those individuals and families throughout Chester County who are in need and rely on the Food Pantry for their daily, weekly or monthly meals.
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. Click on the various programs in the menu to the right to see more detail.