In our Jewish traditions, we talk about tikkun olam which literally means repairing or healing the world. Have you ever wondered why we use that phrase and not just something more concrete about the value or importance of doing good works and deeds? Why can’t we be more absolute and say that our goal is to fix things, make them perfect?
As Jews, we recognize that the world is imperfect and, while we should never shun our obligation to keep trying to make it perfect, we recognize that it is impossible to create – at least on this plain of existence – a perfect world. We focus on the journey as much as the destination.
Certainly, the past 18 months since October 7 have shown us how imperfect our world is and has illuminated for many of us how imperfect our neighbors and colleagues might be. Should we abandon this quest to continue to repair a broken world, especially when much of the hatred that has bubbled up due to this imperfection has been aimed at us?
My answer – AEPi’s answer – is a resounding no. Taking that journey to repairing the world has never been more important. As the Jewish fraternity, we have to redouble our efforts on our campuses and in our communities to help those in need, those who are less fortunate and hurting, those who need our support.
This month, our AEPi brothers are especially focused on Tikkun Olam, and I couldn’t be more proud:
— Our annual Mensch Madness Bracket Challenge is underway! This is the 11th year for the Mensch Madness Philanthropy program and, over the years, more than $100,000 has been raised for AEPi’s Repair the World Fund, which supports Jewish causes to our commitment to Tikkun Olam. In 2025, the three beneficiary organizations from AEPi’s Repair the World Fund are NECHAMA, Israel ParaSport Center, and Chai Lifeline. Please buy a bracket or two, designate your favorite chapters (so they can receive some prizes) and join with us!
— AEPi’s 11-year partnership with Gift of Life continues to save lives. Since 2004, nearly 24,000 students have entered the bone marrow donation database as a result of AEPi Brothers’ efforts, 945 have matched with those who are seriously ill and in need. Of those matches, 105 lives have been saved as a result of AEPi’s swabbing and awareness programs. Earlier this week, AEPi International was recognized by Gift of Life for this work. Ironically, at almost the exact same time, that Gift of Life presented the award (received by our Columbia University undergraduate Brother, Noah Lederman) I received a photo of our Duke University undergraduate brothers who had worked at a table on campus and swabbed more than 70 of their fellow students in two days. Repairing the World can take many forms, and we are very proud of our brothers over the years who have put in hundreds of hours of time to help save lives.
— Later this month, many of our chapters will be engaging their campus communities in AEPi’s We Remember programs. The We Remember programs raise campus awareness of the holocaust and its impacts on Jewish communities and the world. The We Remember programs take on many different forms. Many chapters organize silent walks through their campus, others sponsor Holocaust survivor speakers, and others organize other similar educational events in their communities. With an alarming rise in the number of people who deny the atrocities of the Holocaust — especially among young people –Doing these efforts are more critical than ever before. We often say, “Never Again.” At AEPi, Never Again starts with Never Forgetting. If you would like more information about the We Remember programs being held at your alma mater or local campus, please let me know.
In Pirke Avot 1:2, we read “Deeds of giving are the very foundations of the world.” As a fraternity with a mission to develop the future leaders of the Jewish community, we are building that foundation every day.
The world is not perfect, but we can’t shun our responsibility to keep working to make it a little better. I’m proud of our brothers’ efforts to do their part.