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    Bringing Gilad Home

    October 18, 2011

    We awoke In the very early morning hours and recalled that this was the day that Gilad Shalit was to be released. We wondered if it would really happen and then this email from Phyllis Heimowitz who founded the Amuta (Non-Profit) for the Emotional Support of Fiancees and Girlfriends of Fallen Soldiers popped up on our screen. The organization provides emotional support to women (and occasional men) who have lost their loved one in an IDF-related incident. The emotional support comes in the form of weekly group therapy, as well as shared social engagements where the unique bonds that join each of these bereaved people are strengthened. Phyllis’ email provided not only a poignant back story to what was taking place in Israel today, but also emphasized the organization’s importance in repairing lives shattered by loss.

    It is 5:45 AM. I am up since about 5 AM because my mind is full of thoughts. All of Israel is waking up today and … their first thoughts are of Gilad, who is being released today after more than 5 years in captivity…

    …I want to tell you about the Amuta’s connection to the Shalit story and what we, Rina, Tamar and I did to save two lives. Yes, I really mean that. We had a part in saving two lives. On June 25, 2006, Hamas terrorists from Gaza, managed to attack an IDF tank in Israeli territory. In the tank were 4 soldiers. Two of the soldiers were killed: Hanan Barak and Pavel Slotzker. Gilad was taken alive to Gaza…

    Hanan was the officer in charge of the tank… Hanan left behind a girlfriend, O. , a sweet, sweet, gentle girl. She totally crashed… She was brought to Rina’s home by Hanan’s parents and Hanan’s sister, A. She was totally dependent on Hanan. She never believed that she would survive. She entered our Support Group and we were in constant touch with her. I called her yesterday and I told her that we in the Amuta were with her during these wonderful and terrible times…O. is getting married on Dec. 21 and we will be at the wedding. She wants to go to see Gilad and his family and to invite them to the wedding too, as Gilad was very close to Hanan. These are the things that you don’t read about in the newspaper. Last night Yitz and I saw an interview with O. on TV.

    Pavel, an immigrant from Russia, was the second soldier killed. He left behind his beloved girlfriend A., also an immigrant from the USSR. A. is a delicate, petite, lovely young woman, who wants to be a midwife so that she can bring new life into the world… A. also entered our Support Group. The Amuta helped her in so many ways. We were always in touch with her…She too has a boyfriend now.

    The Amuta was crucial in helping these two young women piece together their broken lives and to go on. This is the aim of the Amuta.

    Filed under: Good News Update

    It’s A Small World After All

    October 10, 2011

    A call just came in from Linda Smith at Reading Village and it was just what we love to hear…

    As we have reported before, Reading Village works in small Guatemalan villages developing an environment where reading is important and encouraged. To effect this change, they form leadership groups of middle and high school students who act as mentors to younger children, reading with them and encouraging them to succeed. The program also provides scholarships for the leadership group as well as free books for local institutions and groups. With the ability to read, these kids will have many more opportunities for self-sufficiency and independence than their parents ever had.

    Linda’s voice was excited as she shared that her mailman had just delivered a package of the most beautiful bookmarks (and we think you will agree) that were made by the students at Temple Har Shalom in Warren, NJ. She knows that this package will be the first thing she puts in her suitcase for her upcoming trip to Guatemala.

    Imagine…Hebrew school kids in New Jersey, connecting so thoughtfully with a group of Mayan children learning to read in remote areas of Guatemala…it truly is an olam katan…a small world after all.

    Filed under: Good News Update

    A Wise Investment

    October 4, 2011

    His name is Isaac* and now, twelve years old, he is first beginning to "blossom". Isaac is an Israeli-born Ethiopian whose mother traveled through the deserts of Sudan to eventually reach Israel. It was after she arrived that Isaac was born and his parents divorced.

    We learned about Isaac from Libby Reichman of Big Brothers, Big Sisters in Israel. Libby is always a great resource for us when we want to use some of the tzedakah our donors send to us to help a child get ahead. Libby shared that Isaac’s mom is loving and supportive but the family has few resources and Isaac has no man in his life to help guide him. In school he was doing poorly because of a serious reading problem which had not yet been identified.

    When Libby found a young man who wanted to become Isaac’s "big brother" things began to change for him. While Eli*, his "big" offered Isaac many fun activities like swimming and movies, he also recognized that Isaac was smart, positive and charismatic but needed much direction if he was to succeed in life. Eli and Libby worked together on getting Isaac tested and discovered that he had a serious learning disability (dyslexia) which was hampering his school success. Once the problem was identified Eli arranged for a friend to begin tutoring him. Eli and Isaac also built a desk so that Isaac could study in a proper place and soon a computer was located to further help his academic progress.

    When we learned about Isaac and his tutoring needs we thought that this could be a tremendous tzedakah investment that would pay great dividends. So, in addition to Isaac’s apparent skills in hip-hop dance, he is also becoming a great student with the tutoring that the Good People Fund and their amazing partners-in-tzedakah at Wilshire Boulevard Temple Religious School are now underwriting.

    *a pseudonym

    Filed under: Good News Update

    Apples and Honey 2011

    September 28, 2011

    As we all prepare for the upcoming New Year that will (hopefully) include several sumptuous meals with friends and family, we are pleased to share the following short messages we just received from some of the many people both here and in Israel who allocated our donated supermarket scrip to needy families and individuals that they work with. More than $10,000 was donated to help with food costs this holiday season. We are so grateful to all of our donors who make this possible. It does feel good!

    Dear Naomi,
    Here is the breakdown of how the scrip was distributed. Hopefully the holidays will be a little easier for them, thanks to your help.
    Family Mraga: 1,000
    Family Benshalom: 1,500nis
    Tzippora: 1,000
    Our contact, GL (Shimon, Liat and one other family): 3,000
    Family Levin: 500
    Risa Benami: 740
    Ripkin: 1,000

    Karyn
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

    Naomi

    Thank you for your very, very generous support.

    The 6,560 NIS is providing essential help in sustenance for these families. In deepest gratitude for this wonderful Holiday Mitzvah,
    Avshalom

    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    My dear Naomi,
    … I received the scrip and I am so grateful that I can give out this money to the few girlfriends that really need a financial helping hand. There is one girlfriend, married now, who actually doesn’t have enough money to buy food. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

    Phyllis

    Filed under: Good News Update

    Chicks and Ducks and Geese and…Blueberries

    September 26, 2011

    Naomi,

    I watched the video of that young boy fighting for human rights. Very very touching and inspiring.

    I wanted to give you an update. Last month we hired on 3 disabled combat veterans, and this month we are planning on hiring 2 more. On the farm we now have blueberries, chickens, guineas, goats, turkeys, bees, datil peppers and this Friday we are digging a pond to grow tilapia fish. It’s amazing to see the changes in these veterans.

    For an update on pictures and videos please see our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000882342352#!/profile.php?id=100000882342352

    Have a great day!
    Regards,

    Adam

    Nothing makes us happier than hearing from Adam Burke, the founder and inspiration behind Veterans Farm in Florida. Adam, a vet who returned to this country with serious injuries, including PTSD, recalled how much farming meant to him as he was growing up on a blueberry farm. Couldn’t others returning from war with both physical and emotional disabilities gain a renewed sense of purpose by working outside, tilling the earth, planting, harvesting?

    It seems that Adam’s efforts have taken off as Veterans Farm expands its work.

    We could not be happier to be part of this truly lifesaving effort. Think of it the next time you enjoy a bowl of blueberries!

    Filed under: Good News Update

    A Story Worth Hearing

    September 8, 2011

    We just learned that Randi Cairns and her organization, Home Front Hearts will be featured on PBS’s Need to Know series this Friday evening. Randi’s experiences as the wife of a thrice-deployed soldier inspired her to begin Home Front Hearts which works to provide support and resources to the families of service members, as well as increase public awareness of the unique problems military families face while encouraging community response to those difficulties.

    The Good People Fund has worked closely with Randi and her (mostly) volunteer staff. We know that it is their own personal experiences as military wives that guide them as they help other service families overcome the many problems associated with military service.

    Here are two brief clips from the piece being broadcast Friday evening–well worth matching:

    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/health/video-military-families-struggle-with-the-war-at-home/11389/

    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/health/video-supporting-military-families-home-front-hearts/11355/

    Filed under: Good News Update

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