The scene opens with a discreetly delivered tape recorder and soon we hear the voice from the recording instruct “Your task, if you choose to accept it… “.  Of course, most of us will recognize this as the opening scene for numerous “Mission Impossible” episodes.  And it seems to me, as we approach these High Holidays, that we are also being given a discreetly delivered package and buried somewhere in that package are many tasks that we may choose to accept in our lives.

Now, more than ever, the Jewish world has been broadening its awareness and motivation to accept upon itself the broad “mission impossible” of doing what we call “tikkun olam” or “repairing the brokenness of the world”.  The past few years have seen remarkable growth in authentic Jewish efforts to reach around the world – and in to our own communities as well- to provide assistance to those who are in desperate need. 

American Jewish World Service (AWJS) has truly come upon the world scene as a remarkably active force to reach out to the world in pursuit of global justice.  According to its literature AJWS concentrates its efforts in four areas:  1) To fight disease, hunger and poverty in the developing world 2) To offer service volunteer efforts with meaningful Jewish content 3) To advocate for global change and 4) to educate the American Jewish community about global issues.  With an annual budget of over $30 million dollars, AJWS sends more than 500 volunteers annually to more than 38 countries around the world where the Jewish community can make a difference in the local lives of those in need.  A recent press release explains: “Through grants to grassroots organizations, volunteer service, advocacy and education, AJWS fosters civil society, sustainable development and human rights for all people, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship within the Jewish community.”

Jewish Funds for Justice (JSFJ) is a national public foundation that “is guided by Jewish history and tradition.” JSFJ has a wide range of programs focused on making a difference throughout areas in the United States that need investment, repair and involvement.  It Tzedec fund has provided investment for low and moderate income communities interested in rebuilding and its service corp has mobilized thousands of volunteers  - mostly young Jewish college students – to reach out in rebuilding efforts in New Orleans, Baltimore, Los Angeles and other areas where our young people can go to make a difference in the community.  Our own local UF Hillel has participated in JSFJ sponsored social action trips that bring Jewish students together to visit communities with desperate need and provide relief and rebuilding.

The Good People Fund is a unique small charity also inspired by the concept of Tikkun Olam, that seeks to distribute financial and volunteer help throughout the United States and Israel in small, quiet and yet meaningful ways.  Operating as a micro-fund, The Good People Fund finds unique projects that have meaningful impact on those who are donating their funds as well as those who are the recipients of aid.  For example, The Good People Fund recently helped coordinate a synagogue expedition to McRoberts, Kentucky where members of the Jewish community brought food to students whose sole subsistence nutrition was through school-based programs and who, as it turns out, did not have food to eat on the weekends. 

Full details and information on each of these fine organizations, and many others, are available on the internet for your investigation and participation.

The loud, clarion call of the shofar is meant to awaken us during these days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  Perhaps, as we rouse from the slumber of indifference we can rise to hear the call of the mission impossible that plays to us from the tape recording of generations past. 

 “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it ( Pirke Avot 2:21).”