Alumni Spotlight: Jordan Mayer

Due to the war initiated by Hamas on October 7th, the tragedy that Israel has witnessed, and the ongoing war in which over 100 people are still being held hostage, Taglit-Birthright Israel BEYOND is featuring stories of alumni who are taking action and making a difference.

Miami native and Taglit-Birthright Israel alum from 2017 Jordan Mayer, is a seasoned fashion designer who recently made waves with her new clothing line, Tikkun Olam. Collaborating with fellow Jewish creatives Abigail Priceand Ariella Fox, Jordan channels her lifelong passion for art into a brand that’s about more than just apparel. 

With credentials from the Fashion Institute of Technology (2017), Jordan spends her days crafting woven and custom print designs, operating her own company, and consulting on the side. 

“For me, a lot of it is just creating art—looking at inspiration and taking inspiration from the world around us and personal experience,” she says. 

Inspired by Heritage

With a Jewish American mother and Iraqi-Israeli father (who grew up in Ramat Gan, Israel),  Jordan’s family history is deeply rooted in Israel. Her father’s family fled Iraq due to the Farhud—the 1941 pogrom against the Iraqi Jewry that forced them out of the country. 

So with the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, her world turned upside down. 

Jordan grew up visiting Israel and attended the Alexander Muss High School in Israel summer program and Taglit-Birthright Israel in 2017. Her upbringing in Miami Beach, enriched by Jewish and Zionist values, alongside her visits to Israel, instilled in her a deep connection to the Jewish state and its people. 

“I grew up always knowing how important it was to be Jewish,” Jordan says. 

With family still living in Israel and the October 7 conflict unfolding around them, her sense of despair was paralleled only by her resolve to make a difference.

Then came Abigail Price and Ariella Fox, who were in search of a Jewish designer like Jordan.

Birth of Tikkun Olam

In the wake of the conflict, Abigail and Ariella sought Jordan out to create a line with a powerful message. The result was Tikkun Olam—the name symbolizing healing, or repairing the world.  

The line would be sold in the boutique shop Abbode in Nolita, New York City, owned by Abigail. Collectively, Jordan, Abby, and Ariella were poised with resources, as well as a wide network that would help actualize the sales and distribution of their collaborative, charitable line. As of late October, they had $22,000 in profits to send to Israel.

The signature design of the line—a Magen David, the Jewish star, interwoven with hands and featuring a dove with an olive branch—echoes the narrative of unity and peace. During the biblical story of the flood in the generation of Noah, a dove indicated the last remaining bit of land that remained in Eretz Israel on the Mount of Olives. The design also communicates oneness among the Jewish nation, featuring the emblematic shield that King David used when victorious in his battle against Goliath.

“I wanted to focus on a powerful image that just represents kind of everything we were feeling,” Jordan says. “It was something that symbolized how we were feeling saying, ‘Okay. We’re going to work together to get through this time.’” Jordan’s design features minimalist and intricate stitchwork. 

Austin: A Supportive Community

Relocating to Austin, Texas, Jordan found a supportive enclave that respects and upholds her commitment to her heritage. 

“There is a lot of support here, and even my friends who are not Jewish really support us. So it’s beautiful to see,” she said, noting her experience during a night of solidarity at a local synagogue she attended with her husband.

Educating on Israel’s History

Amidst a climate of misinformation, Jordan advocates for informed discourse, especially for Taglit-Birthright Israel alumni. She underscores the necessity of understanding the history and context of Israel and the Jewish people to counter the spread of falsehoods on social media. 

“You have to know what you’re talking about, and you have to know what you stand for. Because there’s so much misinformation out there, you have to know what is true in order to stand up and defend the Jewish people and the Jewish community,” Jordan told us passionately. 

The launch of Tikkun Olam is more than a business venture for Jordan; it is a fusion of her artistic talents and her cultural identity. Proceeds from the line benefit charities like Friends of the IDF, United Hatzalah, and Magen David Adom, allowing customers to contribute to their chosen cause. For Jordan, this work is an honor and a means to foster unity and provide solace to those affected by the conflict, embodying the Jewish spirit of perseverance and togetherness.

Get in touch with Jordan or view her designs here:

https://www.instagram.com/mayjordesign/

http://www.mayjordesign.com/