How Talia Leman Built Charity Empire

Iowa Teen Raised $10 Million — And Kept On Going

Campaigning Future: New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof wants Talia Leman to run for president in 2044.
Courtesy Talia Leman
Campaigning Future: New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof wants Talia Leman to run for president in 2044.

By Curt Schleier

Published November 19, 2012, issue of November 16, 2012.
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(Page 3 of 3)

Are you familiar with the terms tzedakah and tikkun olam?

It wasn’t the first thing I associated with what I did, but in retrospect it does fit a lot with tikkun olam. It means “repair the world” and I like that idea a lot. A lot of people say, “You raised a lot of money so you must be a compassionate person.” But that isn’t what motivated me. I feel the connotation of compassion is pity or charity. I’m more motivated by the need to solve a problem, to repair.

Talia Leman has just published a book, “A Random Book About the Power of Anyone.” (Free Press, 2012) For more information, visit randomkid.com.


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