Al-Baqour, appropriately translated as” first fruits” was started by Shlomit Somech-Lehmann, an Israeli social worker and activist, and Dr. Foad El Sana, a Bedouin pediatrician.  Each, through their respective work, recognized that Bedouin children and their parents do not receive sufficient support through traditional Israeli government programs resulting in critical developmental delays. To address this serious deficiency, they began Al-Baqour which runs programs for parents and toddlers including small lending libraries in Family Health Centers where young children can access books and parents are taught the importance of reading to their children.  In addition, Bedouin women are trained in techniques like story-telling, music and movement.

Our grant is directed to their music and movement program.

For elders at risk of abuse or neglect, and young adults with mental or abuse challenges, MARVA is an extraordinary resource. Dr. Michal Wosner and Dr. Mickey Schindler, MARVA’s main visionaries, use their expertise in both the law and social work to create a holistic operation that reduces suffering, preserves independence and restores dignity.

“So often, legal or social welfare or therapeutic approaches are not enough or sufficient on their own,” said Dr. Schindler. “Each can be effective in some way, but not in a whole way, and not give a complete sort of intervention and solution.” MARVA’s model does just that.

Our grant helps establish a new office in Northern Israel.

It might seem to be all about food, but The Food Project (a program of UEmpower MD), housed in a former elementary school in the blight that is SW Baltimore, is so much more. Instead of the usual reading, writing and ‘rithmetic you expect to be taught there, Michelle Suazo and her small staff and volunteers with expertise in farming, behavioral therapy, public health and social work, focus on bringing hope and culinary skills to local youth who have little about which to be hopeful.

As the pandemic raged around them, programming became virtual and the organization quickly pivoted to provide food and other necessities to this poor neighborhood. The Project prepares and distributes
meals, giving participants on the job experience. They also run a weekly market and offers programs to help
young people cope with the increased emotional stress of the pandemic.

Our funds underwrite the purchase of food and administrative expenses.

Of the more than 150,000 Ethiopians currently residing in Israel, more than 50% live below the poverty line.  Included in these numbers are thousands of teens who arrived as babies or young children and hold no memories of their place of birth.

Dr. Stu Chesner, a clinical psychologist who has had far-reaching impact on the treatment of at-risk children in Israel, worked in the “system” for many years and became familiar with the struggles of these at-risk teens. He founded Magen to guide these teens as they mature and become productive adults by providing a holistic approach to academic, emotional and social intelligence.  Included in this approach are activities to help them understand their heritage and culture.

Our funds are used for administrative expenses.

Watching the news, he realized what he was seeing wasn’t “true to what life is mostly about and there was a need to provide people with a balance.”

Dr. David Fryburg, a physician and scientist, joined his son Jesse, an entrepreneur, to create Envision Kindness to add more positivity to unavoidable 21^st century screens. They promote and practice the truth that images of kindness have a positive impact on physical and emotional wellbeing.

Building what they call “kindness media,” they’ve created initiatives to elevate positive images in the public sphere. The EnSpire project, for example, streams images into health care settings, workplaces, and schools. And an annual photo contest encourages entries that find, capture and share moments of kindness in communities.

“Images have great power to bring out joy, gratitude, optimism, love, and compassion,” says David.

“I strive to put myself in someone else’s shoes and to see every human being as a whole. … It is important for every person, regardless of their disabilities, to live a full life in the community, together with all of us.”

For more than 10 years Johanan Flusser worked in a school that catered to kids with serious mental challenges. There, he saw the complex problems these kids and their families faced — including being caught in a system bogged down by bureaucracy, insensitivity, and frequent misdiagnosis. After seeing the downward spiral this often caused, Johanan started Achlah-The Heyanut Center, the only multi-disciplinary institution in Israel that provides hope and solutions to families in crisis, especially those with special needs children. Johanan and his team work without bureaucracy to provide personal assessment and guidance, directing each child and family to suitable resources and a better quality of life.

Our funds underwrite the program’s modest administrative expenses.