The Jewish principle of tikkun olam has been a core value for Rian Ehrlich since she was a child growing up in Broward County.
Now, as the new city director of Repair the World Miami, she is on a mission to inspire young Jewish adults to incorporate that core value in their own lives.
Repair the World is a nonprofit organization that mobilizes Jews age 18 to 39 to volunteer and help their communities thrive. With the support of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and other local Jewish organizations, Ehrlich and her team are leading service efforts that aim to enhance Jewish life in Miami.
We spoke with the Miami resident to learn more about her role and her goals for the future. This interview had been edited for length and clarity.
Q: What is your background and connection to South Florida?
A: I am a proud South Florida native. I grew up in Plantation and was a graduate of David Posnack Hebrew Day School. My parents were, and still are, very involved in the Jewish community. Jewish life wasn’t something we thought about, it was really how we lived each day. Jewish holidays, Shabbat dinners, trips to Israel, volunteering — I’d say those were all key cornerstones of my childhood.
One of my earliest memories of volunteering alongside the South Florida Jewish community was my mom schlepping me to make calls to strangers. It was funny because, at the time, I was terrified to answer my own home phone. That experience and so many others really shaped me. I grew up with a strong sense of Jewish tradition and helping others.
Rian Ehrlich (top row, second from right) at a service event for Repair the World Miami. (Repair the World/Courtesy)
Q: What enticed you to take on this position as Miami city director for Repair the World?
A: For a long time, my Jewish identity was something that felt strong and personal, but I didn’t feel a pull to work in the Jewish professional space. Prior to this role, I worked in marketing and advertising for 11+ years. It was only after Oct. 7, 2023, that I felt a shift and a real calling to use my skills for my own community.
I was specifically drawn to this role because service has always been one of the core ways I connect to Judaism. And I felt like at a time when both the world and the Jewish community deeply needed repair and connection, I saw this position as a way to build that through volunteering and service.
Q: You lived in New York City for over a decade. What brought you back to South Florida?
A: I had a baby and having a baby in NYC was hard. I also wanted to be closer to family and the community and lifestyle I grew up in — and I definitely wanted more space.
Q: What is Repair the World, and how is the Miami branch unique?
A: We like to call ourselves the Jewish Service Movement. We mobilize Jews and our neighbors to take action through service, volunteering and Jewish learning. What’s unique about Miami is both the community of young adults that we’re serving and the issues that we’re responding to — we have Miami natives, we have newcomers from Latin America, Israel and all over the United States. It’s a melting pot of culture and language, and the community really cares deeply about issues like antisemitism, Israel, mental health access, housing and poverty.
Miami also faces some of those real challenges that the community is passionate about, everything from a housing crisis to food insecurity to climate vulnerability. Our mission is to create opportunities for young Jewish adults to volunteer and meet those needs while strengthening our own Jewish community and living out our Jewish values.
A Passover seder organized by Repair the World Miami. (Repair the World/Courtesy)
Q: What are your primary goals as city director?
A: I want all young, Jewish adults in Miami to experience service as a meaningful expression of their Judaism. For me, service is not just something that we do, it’s deeply tied to our Jewish values, our history, our identity and our text. I want people to feel that connection.
I also want to make sure our service partners are able to meet the real needs of the community. I see service as a way to build a stronger and more united Jewish community. And I see it as such an important way to fight antisemitism. How can we come together as Jews to build bridges with our broader Miami neighbors and show them who we are and build those important relationships?
Q: What are some of the opportunities and initiatives that Repair the World Miami is focusing on?
A: We have really strong relationships with service partners throughout Miami, and they tell us where the gaps are and how we can mobilize volunteers to meet them.
We recently worked with the JCS Kosher Food Bank [in Miami-Dade County] to make baskets for elderly community members and Holocaust survivors for the high holidays. We also partner with the Miami Rescue Mission to serve lunch and offer a sense of community to people who are currently unhoused. Another initiative is with One World Heart, where we distribute breakfast bags and drinks to over 300 people who line up in the heat each week in downtown Miami. All of these are very real and immediate needs.
Q: How has your Judaism inspired your career and your choice to work with a community-focused organization?
A: My Judaism is key to my identity and it’s always shaped how I view the world. I view it as a call to serve; it was woven into aspects of my life, whether volunteering with family or learning about tikkun olam in school, it’s always stayed with me. Even more so now as a mom, it’s important to model that for my kids and help repair the world for future generations. Being Jewish means caring for one another, building bridges and standing up against injustice, and for me, Repair the World is the perfect place to live those values while also building communities. I feel really lucky to be in this position.
Q: How can locals get involved with acts of service and Repair the World Miami initiatives?
A: The easiest way is to check out our upcoming volunteer opportunities at werepair.org. You can also follow us on instagram @miami_repair, where we post all events.