Image by Courtesy of Masbia

Quai James is setting an example for how to move on after making a mistake. The 25-year-old from Yonkers who posted a viral video mocking and berating a young Hasidic boy, along with a subsequent, equally viral apology, spent some time volunteering at Masbia, a Jewish soup kitchen.

Five hundred people lined up to collect emergency food packages.

“I myself reported the original clip to Twitter,” said Alexander Rapaport, Masbia executive director. “But I have something to learn from Quai, and that is how to sincerely apologize. I am really humbled by him.

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There is a Jewish concept of ‘teshuva” that means repentance, we hope everyday to get to a level of true teshuva and how to full heartedly take back something we said or did. I have something to learn from Quai. How to sincerely apologize and take it back to an even better place than it was before.”

James said he was also learning a lot by saying sorry and giving back.

“I had a wonderful experience today and would not mind helping out other places,” he said.

Shira Feder is a writer at the Forward. You can reach her at feder@forward.com

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