We could not be happier with the great article about our tzedakah work that appeared this week in the Jewish Daily Forward.  Jordana Horn, the journalist who spoke with us a few weeks ago, really summed our work up beautifully in her quote from Hillel…“Where there is no one and someone is needed, strive to be that someone.” We are honored that so many of you have joined us to be “that someone.”

Tzedakah Ain’t Just for Jewish Millionaires

Regular Folks Can Do Serious Good Deeds on Modest Budget

By Jordana Horn
Read more: http://forward.com/articles/176925/tzedakah-aint-just-for-jewish-millionaires/?p=all#ixzz2TlcOpKXl

Whether it was implicitly or explicitly taught to me, I don’t remember, but somehow, I always knew: The people who hold the Torahs during the reading of the Kol Nidre prayer are the congregation’s big machers.

A few years ago, as I stood at Kol Nidre, my eyes swept over the bimah. Even I, a comparative naif in such things, recognized a few faces as belonging to multimillionaires, if not billionaires. Obviously we were supposed to be looking at the Torah scrolls, and inward at our own souls. But there they were, on a stage before me, literally lifted above the rest of us.

Gross, I know. But even more so was my reaction when, within a half-hour, the rabbi began his Kol Nidre appeal speech, detailing the congregation’s financial needs. Any one of the people who had been on the bimah shortly before, I thought in silent response, could easily write a check that would resolve those needs — a check whose size I guarantee that I will never able to write in this lifetime.

We are fortunate, as a Jewish community, to have the Spielbergs, Bronfmans, Steinhardts, Perelmans, Lauders, etc., all of whom are paragons of both success and philanthropy. The underbelly of prominent philanthropy, however, not often discussed, is that those with $36 rather than $36 million to give may feel there is “no point” to their contribution. After all, their comparatively small drop in the bucket is not necessary when there are those who can and do fill buckets to overflowing.

Prominent wallets and donors within the Jewish community can sometimes have the unfortunate byproduct of absolving the “schlubs,” — the proletariat, us — from a financial obligation to tikkun olam and tzedakah. And this goes against everything we should stand for.

There is much to be said, then, for the good work done by ”micro-tzedakah” outlets like the Good People Fund, a Jewish micro-charity fund that looks to extend hands of financial support to smaller organizations that would otherwise be overlooked by big funders.

The Good People Fund’s executive director, Naomi Eisenberger, said that her organization’s very focus is the ability to allow people with all ranges of means to make a difference.” Why can’t the era of Kickstarter and Indiegogo — ways in which individuals can finance individuals and their projects — be applied to our modern tzedakah mentality, as well?

The Good People Fund finds “good people” — people doing great work on a comparatively personal, rather than institutional, scale — and matches them with donations and donors. The projects range widely in size, are based in America and Israel, and cover needs from hunger and elder care to kids, veterans and disabilities. One organization helped by the Good People Fund educates women in Israel who have opted to leave prostitution; another organization provides horseback riding therapy for victims of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Thirty-six dollars can be a significant gift when sent in the right direction. “Any amount,” Eisenberger said “is important and can change lives. It’s a very tangible thing.”

She cites examples of expenses — desalination pills, child care for women undergoing cancer treatments, graduation robe rental fees — that can be taken care of with minimal expenditure, and whose assumption by donors can make a tremendous difference in the life of a grantee. Last year these individual donations added up to almost $1 million.

The other good done by this micro-charity is perhaps less tangible: As an organization, it holds up its “good people” as beacons of light in a dark world, and as examples of how one person can, in fact, make a difference, even if he or she isn’t a billionaire.

Each funded project was started by people who saw a need and decided to attempt to fill it. One initiative, Down  the Block, helps suburban neighbors experiencing a sudden financial setback, whether through job loss or otherwise, by providing short-term anonymous assistance.

Another, Project Ezra, offers food, clubs, home health care and support to frail elderly people on the Lower East Side.

This is about the true potential of the individual to meet the needs of others. It exemplifies the maxim of the Jewish sage Hillel: “Where there is no one and someone is needed, strive to be that someone.”

Each one opens up a window of good, and a window into the possible. And in doing so, they give us a gift of their inspiration, and the ability to emulate them ourselves.

Jordana Horn is the former New York bureau chief of The Jerusalem Post and is a cont ributing editor to the parenting website Kveller.com

Read more: http://forward.com/articles/176925/tzedakah-aint-just-for-jewish-millionaires/?p=all#ixzz2TlXBdvQe

Before we begin the dairy-lovers’ favorite holiday, please take a look at this great picture just sent to us by Dr.Neal Goldberg, the founder and inspiration behind Lev Leytzan-The Heart of Compassionate Clowning. Lev Leytzan is a New York-based medical clown training program that attracts teens and young adults and teaches them this very special art.

Our favorite part of Lev Leytzan’s program is Elderhearts™, which engages Alzheimer’s and dementia patients in a playful but purposeful way.  Through the use of period costumes and props that are reminiscent of an earlier time, the clowns are able to awaken memories and feelings long forgotten in the miasma of dementia.  Looking at this picture you can see clearly how the clowns’ attire does just that.

With the Good People Fund’s new grant which will underwrite further training in the Elderhearts™ program we know that even more elders will benefit from this special therapeutic tool.

Chag Sameach!

Dear Naomi,

…Because of The Good People Fund, we are now fully into planting season.  Among the saplings and seeds now comfortably taking root on the farm are: tomatoes, zucchini, corn, lettuce, spinach, beans, basil, beets, and more. Up until now, visiting groups, including a team of more than 40 who came to honor the memory of Rabbi David Forman (z”l) last week, have helped provide hundreds of hours of volunteer service. However, end of next month, we will begin to work with dropout youth for a special mini-summer program which will let us check our model and provide a really great experience for all participants.

By the way, we are still in the process of building our website and hope that it will be up and running in two weeks.

Shalom and once again – TODA RABA!     Yoni

It is always those early morning emails that seem to put a smile on our face, remind us of why our work is so important and give us the excitement and impetus for the rest of the day’s work. The writer is Yoni Yefet-Reich, one of the many inspiring young Good People we met on our last trip to Israel. Yoni has a passion for farming as well as a long history of working with youth. Joined by several other young social entrepreneurs;among them teachers, social workers, organic farmers and more, Yoni has just started Kaima, the Aramaic word for sustainability. Kaima’s focus is on engaging and empowering youth-at-risk through a program that utilizes hands-on organic farming, as well as a CSA program which will provide income.

During our February visit to a rocky plot of land in Beit Zayit, right outside of Jerusalem, we saw the very earliest stages of Yoni’s dream. The land was being cleared by volunteers who learned of the project through Facebook and other social media. We have to admit, it did seem like a daunting and back-breaking job, but weeks later we saw pictures, almost unrecognizable, of the same land, now cleared and ready for planting. With the Good People Fund’s matching grant which provided the seedlings and seeds, the group’s dream is literally growing before our eyes. (for a great short look at their work check out  http://youtu.be/WyS2qD_PKBQ)

We cannot wait until the kids show up to see just how lives might change with Kaima’s help.

Somehow, it does not matter how many times we hear the story. It always seems worth sharing with all of  the Good People Fund’s friends. The following email and picture from Rabbi Judith Green arrived a few minutes ago and we had to share her words and her enthusiasm. Our grant to underwrite monthly Shabbat programs for special-needs young adults who are part of  Judith’s Rimon Community in Israel just keeps on giving and giving. Thank you Judith, for the Holy Work that you do!

Dear Naomi,
We had over 30 people with special needs today… Imagine a large room filled with enthusiastic young adults who love to sing, who are quick to get up and dance, belly dance, play darbukas. Orit Perlman was our musician today and after many songs they chanted “Orit, Orit!” I think she has never had such a great audience.

In my D’var Torah, I held up two challot and said, “We eat these at Passover,
right?” And they laughed and called out “no!” I then asked them how many
days “l’ag” is, as in L’ag B’Omer. They knew it was 33. They knew it was 50
days between Passover and Shavuot. I told them that Elohim gives us the gift
of the holidays and we give a gift to Elohim. I held up a wrapped gift and
told them about sacrifices and prayer. Our prayers are our gift. We
unwrapped the gift and it was… a potato! We bake potatoes in bonfires. God
gives us holidays, we give God our prayers and our songs and our joy. We
sang “Amen” and I asked them what their prayers were. Many spoke about
couple-hood, marriage and love.

We finished with a blessing under the tallit, blessings over wine and bread
and a lovely lunch with pita and hummus. I will send more photos. Much love
and many thanks for making this possible!
Judith

For many years Jacob Sztokman, an Australian who made aliyah in 1993, spent time traveling for work. It was his trip to Mumbai, one of India’s largest cities, which changed his life in ways he never truly anticipated. Visitors to Mumbai are often overwhelmed by the city’s slums and the extraordinary poverty evident wherever you turn, especially with regard to the poor street/slum children. Upon his return to Israel Jacob, like so many of our Good People, knew he had to do something. Years before he helped found an Israeli organization that fights hunger, so why not fight hunger, child labor, malnutrition and illiteracy for the children living in the slums of Mumbai? 

By partnering with a reputable local program in India Jacob was able to organize and in June, 2012, not even one year ago, Gabriel Project Mumbai began its first year of operation. What we truly love about Jacob and GPM is that there are so many “winners”. First and foremost, many children who would otherwise go hungry are now fed a substantial lunch daily. In just this first year that was 500 children. The next “winners” are the women’s empowerment groups (160 women in total) who through micro-credit funds supply these nutritious lunches—purchasing the ingredients and preparing the actual meals. By so doing each of these women is now able to improve their own family’s finances, empower themselves and provide nutrition to their children. And finally, what makes GPM truly exciting is the addition of young volunteers who commit to a semester length term of service, helping with the distribution of food as well as basic literacy skills and English instruction. Over the past year 30 interns from the U.S., Israel, Australia and India volunteered with GPM. One can only imagine how this experience will change each of them. As one recent intern stated:

The happiness these children have brought me is indescribable. I cannot wait to see their bright little faces every morning and the 20 minute trek through the 100 degree slums is always, always worth it.

Though we learned about GPM last June it was only this past February that we got to meet Jacob face to face and hear his story. Having made that personal connection we could do but one thing — sign on! The Good People Fund has committed to some of the food costs insuring that kids will eat, women will continue to be empowered as they provide this nutritious meal each day and young volunteers from around the world will be inspired to change the world.

Thank you for the food credit cards. Along with the recipients was a single mother and her three daughters whom we take care of at the PCC (Parent Child Center), in Ness Tsiona. E__ was embarrassed to invite her father to spend Pesach with them because there simply wasn’t the  wherewithal. She burst into tears when I gave her the “credit card” in the name of THE GOOD PEOPLE. It’s the first time in three years that she and her daughters will make Pesach Seder at home and not go to the Chabad House. Her response and her gratitude for being able to prepare and celebrate Pesach at home with her daughters and father moved my soul.

Ronen (his driver) didn’t burst into tears, but he sighed so deeply and so appreciatively, that he may as well have. Thank you for making all of this possible.

As we all scurry around making sure to pick up that last ingredient, vacuuming up the final crumb or adding unexpected guests to our Seder table, we often forget there are so many for whom making Pesach is nearly impossible. Over the past few weeks Debbie and I, with the help of our generous Good People Fund donors, have purchased and delivered thousands of dollars worth of supermarket scrip in both the U.S. and Israel. As Avshalom Beni, founder of Humans and Animals in Mutual Assistance-Israel (HAMA) wrote this morning, this seemingly simple act has made all of the difference…and it has.

Chag Pesach Sameach!