Sometimes a request comes to us that might be considered extravagant or unnecessary but we know that often, what could be considered “extravagant” is often exactly the right response to a difficult and harsh set of circumstances. When our grantee, Fraidy Reiss, from Unchained at Last, shared her wish to take many of her clients (all women trying to leave arranged and forced marriages) on a field trip where they might forget the harsh reality of their present lives, we thought, “why not”?

Dear Naomi,

I will call you later, after the sun wakes up, to tell you about the Six Flags trip that you made possible yesterday. But I am bursting right now, so I need to start telling you what an overwhelming “mitzvah” you did.

In total, 28 people joined the trip. They included two women who are in hiding in a shelter and rarely get to leave. A mom… who recently found out her cancer has returned, and who joined with her two kids and their new service puppy.

For two of the forced marriage survivors who attended — a woman from Ivory Coast (there with her 6-year-old daughter) and a woman from Iran (forced into marriage three years ago at age 16) — this was their first visit to a theme park.

The weather was gorgeous. The energy was fantastic. And watching the survivors and their children interact with each other, crossing religious and cultural and language barriers, was overwhelming.

I told everyone that a funder sponsored the entire trip (because several of them asked about the funding), and nearly every one of the 28 people asked me to thank you personally for a wonderful, magical day.

One woman (from the Orthodox Jewish community, who attended with her four kids and a friend who helped with the kids) asked me to explain to you that she and her children have been struggling a lot lately, going through a difficult time. She had tears in her eyes as she told me how wonderful it was for them to forget their problems for a day and just have fun.

You did good.

With warm gratitude,
Fraidy

Indeed, we all “did good” as it was only through the generosity of Good People Fund donors that this trip was even possible.

Our grantee, Jacob Szotkman who founded Gabriel Project Mumbai three years ago penned an article in today’s e-Jewish Philanthropy which speaks so eloquently to why he has dedicated himself to helping the children of Mumbai’s slums; kids he so aptly refers to as “on the margins of the margins of society.” He shares that when fellow Jews ask him what he does and he describes his work with this marginalized population he is often chastised for helping “others” and not his own people… “There are so many needy Jews – why are you helping those people out there?”

Jacob’s thoughts resonated for us as well, for not only have we too been asked that very same question but it has also been a point of discussion amongst our lay and professional leadership. Just what makes us a “Jewish” organization?

We, too, believe that it is our obligation as a Jewish organization, to help everyone, irregardless of their religious beliefs. Anyone whose life circumstances leaves them vulnerable and overlooked by society deserves our help whether they be hungry, without a roof over their head or isolated by age or illness or other circumstances. As Jacob so eloquently states, we should “remember that those who society has given up on–Jewish or not Jewish–are human, too. They are worthy of love and care.”

http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/shavuots-message-of-caring-for-the-impoverished-of-the-world/

Naomi
I want you to know that today we started the course for the Druze women
There are 15 women in the course… teaching them something that will help them in the future.
It’s really great and we are so proud of you and your foundation, the Good People Fund, and thank you for letting us make this step
I want you to know that the women send you regards and a big hug
Samih and Nihaia

Who knew when I was asked if I could meet with a Druze community leader in Israel last February that I would discover another amazing individual who shared that his greatest joy in life was helping people. Samih Halibi and his dedicated wife, Nihaia, have been actively assisting fellow citizens in the city of Daliyat al Carmel for many years. Situated south of Haifa, the city is best known for its beautiful museum as well as being part of a regional high-tech center. Druze countrymen have been active defenders of the State of Israel and Samih and his children have all served with distinction in the IDF.

Samih’s wish was to select 15-20 women between the ages of 30 and 40 and introduce them to modern technology. For many a computer is nothing more than a mysterious invention and smartphones are even more confounding.

Samih and Nihaia sent this note immediately after the first session ended on Monday afternoon. Their excitement throughout the process of proposing the idea, developing a budget and selecting the right students was palpable.

When we think of a life without a computer or smartphone we understand why Samih’s idea was so important. We could not be happier to help make it happen.

We loved this picture sent this morning by Yoni Yefet-Reich from Kaima in Israel. The chicks are part of Kaima’s extensive sustainable organic farm which brings youth who struggle in traditional settings to the farm to learn about business practices, agriculture, the environment and so much more. The Good People Fund’s donation allowed for the purchase of the chicks and the design and building of the chicken coop which was undertaken by the young farmers. We understand that these egg-laying chickens have provided the main ingredient for many delicious omelets supplemented by the farm’s outstanding vegetables.

B’tayavon! (hearty appetite!)

It is hard to imagine that anything positive has come out of the extraordinary tragedy that resulted from the shooting of Michael Brown last August in Ferguson, MO. Even today, eight months later, news headlines continue to share the harsh and difficult realities of life in Ferguson.

But — somewhere in the midst of all the negative reporting there were at least two people who decided that someone had to do something to help save the kids of Ferguson. Dan Grabel and Andy Brown, both social workers and educators with a combined 40+ years of experience in camping and youth work know how important the camp experience can be to any kid, particularly kids raised amidst poverty and deprivation. #Camp Ferguson is their way to try to help the kids who have been caught up in the trauma of Ferguson. Partnering with several local schools, two graduate social work programs and other nearby community organizations, Dan and Andy have already held a few retreats and this past week welcomed 31 high schoolers and 3 teachers to Camp Manitowa (the camp they themselves operate) for some time filled with a ropes course, canoeing, sports, hiking, a campfire and even s’mores! Ongoing contact with the kids will hopefully give some of them a sense that people really do care.

When we learned about Dan and Andy’s ideas we reached out and offered to help them as they began the program. With the Good People Fund’s support, kids on these retreats will enjoy some great meals along with fun activities and the chance to know that there are people who care.

We started with two residents: the first, an elderly man in his 90’s who appears to be sleeping most of the time, began to smile faintly while hearing his favorite music, and when I later removed the headphone he said “more” and was able to tell me which songs he prefers. The second resident, a psychiatric patient with a very emotionless affect, was animated and his face lit up as he recognized the music of Beethoven, which he had specifically requested.
We’ve long touted the amazing success of the work done by Dan Cohen and Music and Memory, his ground-breaking program that brings personalized music via iPods to elderly individuals suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s and other isolating conditions and living in nursing homes and other similar settings.
We think so much of this program that a few years ago we encouraged Zissie and Sandy Gitel, founders of our Israel-based grantee, In Their Shoes, to introduce M&M in that country. Last month when we met the Gitels in Israel they expressed some disappointment that the program was not catching on in Israeli nursing homes the way they would have liked. This morning’s email proves that much has happened since we met only four weeks ago. The above comments come from a nursing home in Tzfat that has been using the program for only two weeks but has already had success.
Certainly is music to our ears…