In the Tikkun Olam Fellowship (TikO) at Am Shalom, our students have had the opportunity to turn Jewish values into meaningful action in their own lives and communities. Throughout the program, fellows have reflected on how “connecting Jewish values can help you better understand what’s going on” and bring greater depth to their experiences, while also making the world “brighter, inclusive and more fun for both us and the people around us.” Through learning about different organizations and engaging in hands-on service, they not only explored how to help others, but also strengthened their sense of purpose and connection to Judaism.

The highlight of the program was the creation of their final projects, including planning a collaborative art fair. As one of our 2026 fellows shared, “making a difference in my own way feels really special,” while others note how the process have helped them build skills like “attention to detail” and the ability to “work together with new people to achieve a common goal.” Fellows consistently have described their time in TikO as “a super fun way to make a difference in your community,” and it has been incredibly meaningful to watch them grow into confident, thoughtful changemakers.