The Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards recognize young Jewish Californians who have distinguished themselves as leaders and have initiated service projects that impact their communities in meaningful ways. This is the fourth year for the statewide philanthropic endeavor.  

Nominated teens must be California residents who are between 13 and 19 years old at the time of the nomination and must self-identify as Jewish, though their service projects can benefit the community.

Teens can nominate themselves or be nominated by teachers, rabbis, community leaders or anyone who knows the value of their volunteer service. Family members are excluded from nominating.

The application deadline is Feb. 19.

The $36,000 award can be used however the recipient wishes. Most have used the funds for furthering their education, developing their projects or starting new endeavors.

Tikkun olam in Hebrew means “repair the world.” The award was established by Bay Area philanthropist Helen Diller to help reward and encourage the next generation of leaders. 

The awards are funded by the Helen Diller Family Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma counties.

For more information and nomination forms, go to www .sfjcf.org/ diller/teenawards. Forms are also available by calling (415) 512-6432 or e-mailing dillerteens@sfjcf.org.