The Charlotte Jewish News- September 2025- Page 12
Religious Life
Repairing the World, One Act at a Time: Young People Lead the Way in Tikkun Olam
By Mara S. Cobe
The ancient Jewish value of tikkun olam( repairing the world) has never felt more urgent. In a time marked by economic hardship, social division, and global crises, a new generation of Jewish youth is showing that age is no barrier to impact.
These young changemakers are not waiting for permission to lead— they are feeding the hungry, bridging faith-based communities, and building coalitions of compassion.
One of those inspiring figures is right here in the Charlotte-area Jewish community.
The Blessing Box in Tega Cay, S. C. is stocked with cereal, pasta, canned goods, and more. It offers free essentials to anyone in need, 24 / 7.
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Volunteer of the Month: Orchid Childs
Temple Solel of Fort Mill is proud to recognize Orchid Childs as its Volunteer of the Month. Since joining the congregation, Winthrop University student Orchid has brought unmatched energy, empathy, and leadership to a wide array of social action efforts.
From assembling Manna Bags for those experiencing homelessness to coordinating meals at the Bethel Men’ s Shelter in Rock Hill, Orchid has made tikkun olam a personal mission. Their leadership in planning interfaith“ Nights of Service and Learning” has helped create vital connections between Jewish, Christian, and Muslim teens, offering opportunities to learn from one another while doing good together.
Perhaps most notably, Orchid is the visionary behind Tega Cay’ s first Blessing Box— a community pantry that provides 24 / 7 access to food and toiletries for those in need.“ The world is wrong,” Orchid says.“ People are starving, without homes … We can help. Regular people with the simple desire to be heroes can become one.”
Their efforts reflect the essence of Jewish communal values: action, compassion, and shared responsibility.
A National Movement of Youth Repairing the World
Orchid is not alone. Across the country, Jewish teens are stepping up in extraordinary ways. The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards annually honors 15 outstanding teens whose social justice initiatives are making a tangible impact— from founding nonprofits to organizing voter drives and addressing food insecurity.
These stories of youth activism point to a larger trend: young Jews are redefining what leadership looks like. According to the Jewish Education Project, nearly 70 % of Jewish teens say social action is central to their Jewish identity. In cities large and small, their projects reflect the timeless wisdom of Pirkei Avot:“ You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”
templesolelsc. org
@ TempleSolelSC
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How You Can Help
Tikkun olam is not reserved for heroes or headline-makers. It’ s found in each small act of kindness— in stocking the Blessing Box, showing up to volunteer, or supporting a teen’ s vision. As the High Holidays approach, may we be inspired by Orchid and their peers to ask ourselves: What piece of the world can I repair?
Because the world is still broken. And the work— our work— is just beginning.
To support Temple Solel’ s social action projects or learn how to donate to the Blessing Box, visit templesolelsc. org. Want to nominate a teen for the Diller Teen Awards? Visit dillerteenawards. org to celebrate and elevate the next generation of Jewish changemakers.
Anti-Jewish Hate Crimes Reach Record High in the United States, According to FBI
By Grace Gilson for JTA
Hate crimes against Jews in the United States reached an alltime high in 2024, accounting for 70 % of all religiously motivated hate crimes, according to FBI data released this week.
The new FBI report released Tuesday found that hate crimes against Jews accounted for over
17 % of all reported hate crimes in the United States in 2024, marking a 16 % rise from 1,998 anti-Jewish hate crimes in 2023 to 2,321 in 2024.
More than half of the incidents were related to vandalism, with“ intimidation” the second-largest category. But about 200 were assaults of varying degrees, and
260 of the total incidents took place in synagogues.
The new data set adds to others showing that the number of antisemitic incidents has continued to rise since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The Anti-Defamation League’ s annual audit recorded 9,354 antisemitic incidents across the country in
2024, marking a 5 % increase from the previous year and a new all-time high for the group.( The group’ s tally includes both criminal and non-criminal incidents.)
“ The record-high number of anti-Jewish hate crime incidents tracked by the FBI in 2024 is consistent with ADL’ s reporting and, more importantly, with the Jewish community’ s current lived experience,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement.“ Since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, Jewish Americans have not had a moment of respite.”
The FBI’ s report does not stipulate how many of the anti-Jewish hate crimes were convicted in court, and also did not include statistics for some major cities that do not report hate crimes.
TEMPLE SOLEL Fort Mill SC
Helping the less fortunate is a major part of who we are. If you are looking for a way to get involved, COME JOIN US!
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2955 Highway 160 W, Fort Mill, SC 29716( 803) 619-1707 | info @ templesolelsc. org
To report an Antisemitic Incident visit jewishcharlotte. org