San Francisco, June 28, 2012 – The Helen Diller Family Foundation today announced the 2012 recipients of the prestigious Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards. Since its inception six years ago, nearly 750 California Jewish teens have been nominated, and more than one million dollars has been given to further the vision of 30 teens.

With a commitment to nurturing our future Jewish leaders, the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards annually gives $36,000 each to five California teens in recognition of social action service demonstrating the spirit of tikkun olam – a central precept of Judaism meaning repair of the world.

The awardees’ projects include a non-profit that empowers teens to teach and better understand their special-needs classmates; a student-run program that promotes awareness and prevention of bullying in schools; a magic performance initiative to bring joy to the sick, disabled, elderly and others in need throughout the nation; a math and science enrichment program for underprivileged fifth-graders in Los Angeles; and a student-run fashion show that raises funds for Israeli charities. These young social activists have shown exceptional leadership, and in many ways are teachers of tolerance through promoting acceptance and kindness within their distinct projects. Use of the award money is largely unrestricted, and recipients can use it to fund college or to further implement their vision for making the world a better place.

For more information, or to nominate a teen for next year’s Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, visit jewishfed.org/diller/teenawards.