Repairing the world is a big task. So big that it calls sometimes, as it did Sunday, for setting aside a 2,000-year-old difference.
“Tikkum Olam” is the Jewish tenet of faith that is Hebrew for “repairing the world.”
It is the principle that fueled the 36 young Jews who were volunteering at the Christian humanitarian organization World Vision on Sunday.
It was a part of a citywide day of service — in conjunction with the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly taking place in Denver.
More than 500 young Jews served at about 20 organizations around Denver.
“We’re here to repair the world, not just the Jewish world,” said Talia Davis, 30, marketing manager for the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado.
The group that volunteered at World Vision was primarily composed of students from the University of Colorado chapter of the Zeta Beta Tau Jewish fraternity.
The group spent the morning repackaging donated new clothing for overseas shipment.
“It feels good to do good,” said Adrienne Watkins, a volunteer from Colorado Springs.
Josh Gold, 27, who lives in Denver and was one of the trained leaders for the session, said he was initially surprised to be assigned a Christian organization.
“Many nonprofits are faith-based, though, so it’s good to look past that,” said Gold. “When you come and volunteer here, they’re not trying to convert you.”
“Yes, when they go to Africa, it’s obviously part of their mission … but there’s nothing overtly religious here,” Gold said.
Ashley Ashbeck, World Vision’s warehouse volunteer coordinator, estimated that the group prepared about 8,500 items for shipment Sunday.
“We work with everyone. You don’t have to be Christian to receive goods from us,” Ashbeck said.
World Vision has drawn on volunteers from Boy Scouts to church groups, but this was the first time that Ashbeck recalls having a group affiliated with a non-Christian religion.
The General Assembly is an annual conference that brings together about 3,000 Jews from around the nation. The Denver conference began Sunday and runs through Tuesday.
“We get them involved this way, and then when they’re older and are too busy with jobs and a family to serve, they can give money to support these efforts and events,” Davis said.
Organizers of Sunday’s day of service called the event “Hineni.” The name comes from the Bible; the first reference is when God calls out to Abraham, and Abraham responds, “Hineni,” which means “Here I am.”
Kristen Leigh Painter: 303-954-1638 or kpainter@denverpost.com
