Meet Avram Mandell | Founder and Curator of Impactful Experiences

We had the good fortune of connecting with Avram Mandell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Avram, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I started off Tzedek America, I had some burning questions on my mind: What really gets me going? Where do I shine brightest? And how can I turn those strengths into something truly meaningful? These questions set the stage for what would become my life’s mission.

The big moment hit in 2005, post-Hurricane Katrina. Seeing the aftermath up close lit a fire in me to take action. I rallied a crew of teens, and we headed to Pearlington, Mississippi—a town struck by the storm. Our goal was to lend a hand and offer comfort to those affected. Little did I know this trip would reshape my outlook forever.

Coming back from that eye-opening experience, I wanted to create impactful journeys for teenagers and adults. I wanted these experiences to shape their paths and give them a sense of purpose.

In chats with my wife, we hashed out the lifestyle we craved. Despite the grind of running a school, I yearned for a different lifestyle that matched my passions and newfound dad status. Teaching, creating, and relationship building were my calling cards.

I set out to craft a post-high school, pre-college Gap Year program. It was a labor of love, fueled by two years of meticulous planning, countless chats with stakeholders, and a sweet victory in a pitch competition that snagged us a fellowship. That propelled me toward making my dream a reality. We no longer run a gap year, but now we work with thousands of people yearly!

Since those early days, our journey has taken some twists. What started as a Gap Year has bloomed into transformative travel experiences, touching teens, young adults, and adults across the US.

Our mission to transform lives and awaken our participants to the big challenges our world faces. Through our programs, we’re not just opening eyes but sparking action, inspiring people to be change-makers.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
One major challenge we face as an organization is staffing. The more staff we have, the more programming we can offer; thus, we’re in high demand. We’re not just a group travel company; we hire and train excellent educators to help us create meaningful experiences. Whether handing out water bottles in Skid Row, exploring civil rights history in the Deep South, or learning about immigration in Guatemala, our programs require individuals who can wear many hats—tour guide, educator, cheerleader, and logistics coordinator.

Finding someone who can juggle all these roles can be challenging, but the more people we have who can do that, the more programs we can run across the country. To overcome various challenges, we prioritize hiring individuals with good rapport with others, who work hard and play hard. We can lead a tour in the morning and play laser tag in the evening. What excites me about what I do and the environment I’ve created is that we’re all passionate about improving the world.

One lesson I’ve learned is to celebrate every victory, no matter how small. Whether it’s securing a new donor or enjoying a good lunch, each win propels us forward. This celebratory mindset has been instrumental in our journey to our 10-year mark of success. Another challenge, in addition to staffing, is teaching empathy. It requires practicing what we preach—listening to all sides, honoring people’s stories, and supporting them along their journey.

Our brand, Tzedek America, is about teaching radical empathy to everyone. It’s not about winning or losing but understanding and creating conversations. Emotions move people to social justice, not statistics. We believe stories have the power to change lives. Whether on Skid Row, at the border in Nogales, Arizona, or in a mall, everyone wants to love and be loved without obstacles hindering their success. That’s the message we strive to impart.

We’re committed to removing all obstacles for our learners, whether it’s food, housing, or transportation. We aim to make our experiences incredible and meaningful, ensuring our participants have a positive, life-changing experience. Recently, I led a group of 26 adults on a civil rights trip to the South, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. A 91-year-old participant described it as the most meaningful trip of their life. That’s what we aim to accomplish—to change lives and perspectives.

Our programs introduce participants to individuals they wouldn’t typically encounter. Whether it’s a civil rights activist, someone who escaped a cartel in Colombia, or a former gang member, we facilitate these kinds of impactful connections. I’m proud of our relationships with these individuals and organizations as they deepen the impact of our programs

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: Morning:
Start your day with a cup of coffee at Liberation Coffee to fuel up for the adventures ahead.
Address: 1386 E 15th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Explore vintage finds at Out of the Closet and BTS Thrift Shop.
Addresses:
Out of the Closet – Multiple locations across Los Angeles.
BTS Thrift Shop – 1430 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Afternoon:
Enjoy lunch at Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery for a delicious sandwich.
Address: 1517 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Evening:
Spend the evening at Santa Monica Pier with an all-day wristband, enjoying rides and attractions.
Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Day 2:
Morning:
Kick off your day with a delicious vegan breakfast at Besties Vegan Paradise.
Address: 4882 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Rent swan boats and enjoy a leisurely ride on the lake at Echo Park.
Address: 751 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Afternoon:
Work up an appetite with a workout session at Heimat and cool off in their refreshing pool.
Address: 4356 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230
Indulge in lunch at For The Win for a hearty meal.
Address: 5630 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Evening:
Savor vegan ramen at Iki Ramen for a satisfying dinner.
Address: 740 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Catch an ACFC soccer game for some sporting action.
Address: Check the ACFC website for game locations and schedules.

Day 3:
Morning:
Embark on a thrilling whale-watching adventure with Davy’s Locker Whale Watching.
Address: 400 Main St, Newport Beach, CA 92661
Dinner:
Conclude your afternoon with a delicious sushi lunch at Makin Sushi in West LA.
Address: 13327 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Evening:
Laugh the night away at a comedy show at Dynasty Typewriter for some evening entertainment.
Address: 2511 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Day 4:
Morning:
Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Central Los Angeles Library and sip on coffee at Skid Row Coffee while you’re there.
Address (Library): 630 W 5th St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Address (Skid Row Coffee): 541 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Fuel up with gluten-free pizza at Pura Vita in West Hollywood.
Address: 8274 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Three remarkable individuals immediately come to mind, and I’m incredibly grateful for their support in launching Tzedek America. First and foremost, I must shout out to my wife, Abby Fifer Mandell. She’s been my rock throughout this entire journey. While I was knee-deep in building our company, she held down the fort, working tirelessly at USC Marshall School of Business to ensure we had the stability we needed, even during those lean years. Not only is she a business genius, but she’s also been my sounding board, my cheerleader, and my go-to consultant. Her guidance, unwavering support, and invaluable connections have been instrumental in getting Tzedek America off the ground and soaring.

A heartfelt thanks goes out to Tzedek America’s immediate past board chair, the CEO of Seismic Capital Company. He’s been the steady hand guiding our ship through choppy waters. Always there to offer sage advice, he’s not just a mentor; he’s a true partner in every sense of the word. His financial support and belief in our vision have enabled us to navigate uncharted territory and make pivotal strides toward success. He embodies empowerment, encouraging me to find the answers within myself and chart bold new paths forward.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to Dr. Bruce Powell. He’s been instrumental in helping me uncover the “why” behind Tzedek America. While I was laser-focused on the “what” of our mission, Dr. Powell helped me understand the profound significance of our work. Through his wisdom and experience, having founded numerous high schools, he illuminated the greater purpose behind our endeavors. Tzedek America isn’t just about what we do; it’s about why we do it. Dr. Powell’s insights have been transformative, refining our message and reinforcing the importance of fostering empathy and understanding in today’s world.

These incredible individuals have supported and propelled me forward, shaping the fabric of Tzedek America’s mission and impact. To them, I owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude.

Website: www.tzedekamerica.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tzedekamerica./

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tzedekamerica/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tzedekamerica

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwtuAD2UtaXyRdi7LmJlzzQ

Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g32655-d14162964-Reviews-Tzedek_America-Los_Angeles_California.html

Image Credits
All photos taken by Avram Mandell