Tikkun Olam

Kaila Zimmerman-Moscovitch, a college student managing a full course load and two part-time jobs, has been spending 11 hours per day to help hers and other families in the Chicago Jewish community.

The girl, named Yael from Petah Tikvah, was born without her left arm, leaving her unable to fulfill her long-harboured desire to play the musical instrument.

“One of the things that has enabled World ORT as an institution to exist for 140 years,is its ability and its requirement to adapt to the environment around it."

“Our hope is that these change-makers will be inspired to launch conversations about global responsibility," said OLAM executive director Dyonna Ginsburg.

The program is designed to dramatically increase the number of Jewish youth between the ages of 17 and 40 who do volunteer work in vulnerable communities and also bolster their Jewish identity.

Films, television series and documentaries on various aspects of ultra-Orthodox lifestyles have done a lot to create interest, greater understanding and tolerance among secular Jews.

“In order to think outside the box, first you need to know what is in the box. Professionalism is knowing what’s inside the box – and knowing what’s inside is hard work.”

The award, established by the Abba Eban Institute for International Diplomacy at the IDC Herzliya, will be presented at the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference on Thursday, November 21 in Jerusalem.