Just before the presidential candidates took the stage, the cheering crowd at AIPAC’s policy conference witnessed the miracle that is TOM – the Tikkun Olam Makers initiative by the Reut Group.
This year’s conference celebrates Israeli innovation and creativity, with TOM representing the fusion of the old Jewish value of doing good in the world with the Israeli spirit of innovation.
“TOM emanated from a bold vision for Israel and the Jewish people to make a significant and distinctly Israeli contribution to a quarter of a billion people within a decade,” said Gidi Grinstein, Founder of the Reut Institute. “Our strategy is to realize TOM was by taking the Israeli energy, the ‘start-up nation’ mentality and approach, and outlook of innovation and creativity, and to channel them to deal with neglected social problems. Against the backdrop of everything that is happening around the world, we are so proud of the fact that TOM is a platform for coexistence, for bringing people of all religions and many cultures to work together,” He added.
“TOM gives us a global reach and a way to really bring people from all corners of the world, to help repair the world. And that’s Tikkun Olam.” said Netaly Ofir Flint, CEO of the Reut Group.
The short movie, filmed in November at TOM:Israel in the Western Galilee, featured Stel Pinhasov, one of the first TOM volunteers, with her challenge to find a solution to travel with her wheelchair while using public transportation. Sitting beside Grinstein in the audience, moved to tears, Pinhasov watched herself on the big screen saying: “I’m not doing it for myself. I’m old. I’m doing it for the next generation.”
Looking forward to the future of TOM, and the giant steps the initiative has taken over the past year, Arnon Zamir, Dreamer, Founder and Director of TOM said: “We are just scratching the surface so far. In my vision, what TED is for inspirational talks, TOM is going to be for global Tikkun Olam. Becouse that’s the thing about having the most advanced technology, and people filled with chutzpah who are putting it to use: They don’t stop, they just work until they find a solution.”