In underserved communities in Israel, English proficiency can mean the difference between economic and social success, and stagnation. English B’Yachad — English Together — is a Good People Fund grantee making online pairings between Israeli young adults and North American volunteers to advance English language skills, create positive futures … and form friendships in the process. Founder Marla Gamoran describes the program’s remarkable trajectory and impact with GPF Exec. Dir. Naomi Eisenberger.

In Israel’s Negev, the Bedouin community is mired in a generational cycle of economic and educational stagnation. Al-Baqour — a Good People Fund grantee — is using innovative approaches to early childhood education and family empowerment to break it … while respecting the traditional groundings of the community. GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger speaks with Shlomit Somech-Lehmann, CEO of Al-Baqour, and Dr. Foad El Sana, its executive director.

Eli Weinstock was a college student in 2021, when he died from unintentional exposure to Fentanyl. Dr. Beth Weinstock, Eli’s mother, and Olivia Weinstock, his sister, began BirdieLight — a Good People Fund grantee organization — to educate youth about Fentanyl and its lethality, and to save lives and honor Eli’s memory. They speak with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger.

As founder of MyChild’sCancer — a GPF grantee — Oded Grinstein gives parents of children with cancer the medical knowledge and social support they need to be strong advocates for effective treatments and positive outcomes. The journey began when Oded’s infant daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that she effectively beat back. Oded speaks with GPF Co-Founder and Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger.

In Israel, Shana Aaronson is the CEO of Magen for Jewish Communities, a GPF grantee organization addressing sexual abuse and exploitation in the Orthodox Jewish community. Under her leadership, the organization is making huge impact by helping and supporting survivors, raising awareness and educating  in the community and beyond,  and advocating for survivors in investigatory and legal channels.

The art of deriving and telling life stories can be the great connector — empowering individuals on the edges of society, bridging divides in communities, and advancing social justice. Cara Solomon is a former journalist establishing and practicing this approach as Founder and Executive Director of Everyday Boston, a GPF grantee. She describes the impact she seeks and is making, here in conversation with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger.