March 2026
I am writing at the midpoint of our annual trip to meet with current and prospective Israeli grantees. Of course, staying by the sea is the bonus for our long days of meetings.
This is our first visit to Israel since the return of the last hostage. I was struck by the absence of the “Bring Them Home” signs that once covered nearly every surface — and by the disappearance of the hostage posters that once lined the halls of Ben Gurion Airport. The visible reminders of the war that began on 10.7 have faded, yet the tension remains as Israel prepares for what may come from Iran. The presence of US military personnel in our hotel was a sobering reminder that the threat remains serious.
Amid a demanding schedule and a possible impending war, Thursday night brought joy as we celebrated GPF’s 18th anniversary, surrounded by GPF’s past and present grantees. Looking out at the crowd, I felt a mix of pride and nostalgia. Many grantees began their journeys with us 18 years ago. Today, they lead thriving organizations that are strengthening Israeli society every day. That is the magic of The Good People Fund.
As I stood with Libby Reichman, founder of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Israel, I was moved by her comment that “it felt so good to be in a room of angels.” After so many gatherings marked by sadness over the past two years, the energy that evening was unmistakably hopeful.
I invite you to listen to this month’s podcast, the final episode in our series, Building Bridges: Art for Social Change. I speak with Jon Adam Ross, co-founder of Inheritance Theater Project, whose creative mind developed a program that uses performance art to build bridges between community members in cities across the United States. Rooted in a deep belief in civil society, his work now reaches institutions including Harvard Divinity School and the Obama Foundation.
The Good People Fund flourishes because of you. As we meet with our Israeli grantees, we see the beauty your generosity makes possible. Thank you!
B’shalom,
Naomi
