Press Releases

Sep. 30, 2022

Repair the World Miami Welcomes Jacki Altman as New City Director

Altman Will Elevate Service Opportunities in Miami Infused with Jewish Learning

September 30, 2022

Contact: Jason Edelstein, 510-239-1102

Jacki Altman, City Director, Miami

Miami, FL — Repair the World Miami, a local community hub of the national Repair the World, an organization that engages Jewish young adults in service and Jewish learning to meet pressing local needs, is thrilled to welcome Jacki Altman as its new City Director. Altman will lead local service efforts and partnerships that engage young adults throughout the community. Miami Repair will continue to collaborate closely with many partners, including the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, which is its long-time, on-the-ground partner.

“Jacki has a deep passion for working towards social change, impeccable knowledge of the Miami community, and knows how to engage young adults in meaningful Jewish experiences,” says Janu Mendel, Regional Director of Repair the World and former City Director of Miami Repair. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have her leading the team in Miami and looking for new ways to impact our communities.”

“Our relationship with Repair the World is very special because it’s been a true partnership from day one,” says Jacob Solomon, President and CEO of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. “Repair does a remarkable job promoting tikkun olam both with a Jewish lens and with Jewish hands. It’s especially important today, with a rise in antisemitism, to build community relations and empower young Jewish adults to address pressing local needs in historically underresourced communities. And, by combining service with Jewish learning, that’s the embodiment of “tikkun olam ba’malchut Shadai,” repairing the world under the kingdom of God. We look forward to continuing this vital work with Jacki, Repair’s national leaders, and all of the young adults committed to the cause.”

Prior to joining Repair, Jacki managed Temple Beth Am’s Social Justice Teen Fellowship, an action-oriented program for Jewish teens that examines social justice issues at their root through partnership with local community organizations. Her love of working with young people and crafting intentional programs grew in her roles as youth director of Temple Beth Am in Miami, FL and as events planner of the Student Center Complex at the University of Miami. Jacki values learning and is proud to hold a master’s degree in Community & Social Change (MS. Ed) from the University of Miami, as well as a certificate in Jewish education from HUC-JIR.

A Colorado native, Jacki’s approach to social change is rooted in critical reflection, intentional action, and collaboration. She has been an experiential educator for over a decade. After graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a bachelors degree in Anthropology and Film Studies, Jacki moved to Miami, FL, and fell in love with the vibrant, dynamic community.

Miami Repair has such an impact on our community—I’m excited to grow these efforts at this critical time,” says Jacki Altman, Repair the World Miami City Director. “With our vital organizational partners, we will enable more young adults to tap into their Jewish values and serve to address urgent social needs. I believe deeply that through collective work and the amplification of marginalized voices, we can upend systems of oppression and reimagine society.”

Since launching in 2017, Miami Repair has focused on fostering a vibrant, thriving Jewish community in Miami and mobilizing young Jews and their neighbors to meet profound needs. This year, Miami Repair engaged 594 participants in 1,816 acts of service and learning through programming, contributing to 4,213.5 hours of service to local partnering nonprofits.   Its model of peer-to-peer engagement, educational programs, and community-based service opportunities engaged thousands of young Jewish adults and their friends. For many of them, experiences in which they serve, learn, and connect are especially meaningful ways for them to engage in Jewish life.

 

About Repair the World

Repair the World mobilizes Jews and their communities to take action to pursue a just world, igniting a lifelong commitment to service. We believe service in support of social change is vital to a flourishing Jewish community and an inspired Jewish life. By 2026, Repair will inspire and catalyze one million acts of service towards repairing the world.