In its original form, the Hebrew words Tikkun Olam were used in what is known as Lurianic Kabbalah to refer to the creation of the world and the human role in its aftermath.   Lurianic Kabbalah was a mystical understanding of Judaism, created by Rabbi Isaac Luria in the 15th century.  In the wake of the civil rights movement in the 1960's, the words Tikkun Olam were used by many Jews to refer to social action.

The basic idea of Tikkun Olam today is that the world is broken and it is our responsibility to fix it.   Each time a Jew does a mitzvot, it is as if he or she is taking one shard of the broken world and placing it back into place.

Tikkun comes from the Hebrew root Tav.Kuf.Nun and means to fix.  Olam comes from the Hebrew root Ayin.Lamed.Mem and means world.  Temple Shalom is committed to justice in this world and has a variety of programs available to members seeking to make a difference in the world.  

Learn more about Tikkun Olam at Temple Shalom by visiting our Israel page, our Mitzvah Day page or find out about social action Issues in our very own community.