Repairing the World Is a Group Project

Judaism calls upon us to repair the world, something we can only do together. Here’s why.

Judaism calls on us to engage in a relationship with G-d in many ways, both physical and spiritual. Some folks do this by keeping kosher, or wearing a kippah, or performing a ritual immersion in the mikveh before the Sabbath. All these are religious expressions grounded in one’s own physical being; they are all ways in which we engage our own body in a connection to the Divine. But there’s another way our Jewish-ness can (and, some would say, should) manifest — through social engagement and activism. By participating in tikkun olam (repairing the world), we’re stepping outside ourselves. While personal prayer and keeping kosher are ways of nurturing the divine within, repairing the world is a way of taking our sacred spark we’ve nurtured and using it to do holy work in our community. 

First mentioned in the Mishnah, the original concept of tikkun olam had to do with rectifying legal loopholes so as to protect the rights of marginalized citizens. In its initial iteration, Raban Gamliel, a second century commentator, recognizes that women had far fewer rights and outlaws the practice of issuing a bill of divorce without notifying one’s wife. Today, the concept of repairing the world has been expanded by rabbinical voices and lay-leadership alike to mean any type of action that supports those in need. Volunteering at a soup kitchen is tikkun olam, but so is marching for equality or raising money for cancer research. And, while it's a pretty broad concept, there’s one thing that rings true for all tikkun olam work — it’s a group project.

We Love a Challenge

The world is wide — and it needs a lot of fixing. In fact, if you set out to fix the world on your own, you’d probably quit in about 10 minutes. I mean, no one can cure cancer and solve climate change and make sure no children are hungry anywhere. But that’s no reason to quit! It’s a reason to collaborate. In fact, as Jews, we traditionally love a challenge. We walked out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and wandered in the desert for 40 years. We were exiled — by both the Babylonian and Roman empires — and still figured out a way to go back to our homeland. We’ve survived insurmountable odds over and over, and still get up to try again. Jews do this by investing in community and collaboration. We understand that the only way to inch our way to a just and whole world is by holding hands as we do so. 

Don’t Hold Back

Whatever your purpose, do it with your whole heart. When Deepa Iyer, longtime leader and innovator in the realm of social change, says that, “an effective movement ecosystem requires different actors to play [different] roles,” she is recognizing that every individual can find their own space in the work of tikkun olam. Our TWC team has seen time and again how organizations that are clear about the precise nature of their stated mission see resounding success. Ask for help! Empower team members to find their purpose! Support your employees! A vibrant network of individuals who feel seen and respected is key to the work of repairing the world. Investing in the connectedness of your team is the best way to ensure you’re set up for effective and meaningful collaboration.

Let Me Count the Ways

It’s easy to look at the state of the world and say, “Oy. It’s too much.” Instead, though, I’d encourage you to be motivated by the wealth of opportunities to make a difference. The fact that the world’s a mess also means there are plenty of ways to clean it up. Are you an educator, a scientist, a facilitator, or just a good friend? Whatever your calling, there’s a space for you within the framework of tikkun olam. As you’re counting the ways to make an impact, take the time to hone in on how you can best be of service. The clearer you are on what your particular avenue of helping is, the more effective your work will be. It can take time to figure out what speaks to you, and this may shift over the years. 

At Tiny Windows Consulting, we love helping individuals and organizations excel at the most meaningful of group projects and helping them clarify their mission. To learn more about how you can benefit from a consultation, contact us today.