A call today from a trusted source served as a reminder of the special significance of the month of Elul, traditionally a time of reflection as we approach the Jewish New Year.

The story involves a young adolescent girl raised in a rigidly observant, religious environment devoid of love and compassion. To escape this personal hell, she entered another form of hell and turned to the streets working in prostitution for several years.

Eventually she became known to an Israeli organization working to end prostitution and in time began to volunteer with them, ultimately leaving the streets to start a new life helping other girls in similar situations.

Through her essays and personal interviews she is deemed a serious and capable student. Inspired by her volunteer work, she will return to school next month to study social work.

Through the generosity of our donors we will be able to help her with this worthy pursuit and, as the new year begins, seek to save one more life from the predations of exploitation and suffering.

Hi Naomi,

Your two kids are in the final of this amazing award WeWork creator awards Jerusalem. From thousands of ngos we made it to the final three. Met here this morning for production walk-through.

We couldn’t be prouder!

For more than six years we have supported the compelling work of Unchained at Last and its dynamic and deeply committed founder, Fraidy Reiss. Fraidy’s story of being forced into a marriage she did not want, is not unique. The statistics are astounding–child marriage in this country occurs in each of our fifty states.

Take 10 minutes from your busy schedule and watch Fraidy explain why “she is dead” in this recent TEDx Talk. She will blow you away!

While you may not have exercised this morning, we are happy to know that most of the people in this video, all clients of our grantee, Spirit Club, enjoyed a heart-thumping workout thanks to the scholarships The Good People Fund recently underwrote for their new Baltimore location. Jared Ciner, Spirit Club’s founder, understands that physical exercise for people with special needs is no less important than it is for everyone else, and the popularity of these classes only reinforces that belief.

Before all of the Pesach craziness began about ten days ago, The Good People Fund was excited to support Shutaf Overnight Camp 2018. This annual trip which coincides with the beginning of Israel’s 2+ week school vacation brings teens and young adults with special needs together for a few days of fun (what’s not to like about hikes and farming activities, science, carpentry, art, tai chi and so much more?) before the holiday begins.

Miriam Avraham and Beth Steinberg, Camp Shutaf’s dedicated founders reported back after their visit to camp, “So wonderful to see these fabulous kids having fun, doing fun activities with amazing counselors full of energy. It was truly a delight. And the teens were having the time of their lives in this gorgeous setting – an organic farm – at a time of year when everything is green and flowering. We had to tear ourselves away and go back to our computers. Thank you for making this possible!”

How could we not?

Meeting Carol Rosenstein is a joyful experience. Her lilting South African accent, colorful scarves and deep, deep passion for her newfound work captures you almost immediately.

Carol and her beloved Irwin met the old-fashioned way, before online dating apps became the rage. Carol’s ad in a Los Angeles newspaper seeking a possible new mate put her in contact with Irwin, a lawyer, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Several years ago, Irwin developed Parkinson’s Disease and then shortly after, dementia. When Carol noticed that Irwin’s spirits and energy seemed to rise as he sat at his piano and played familiar tunes, she knew she was on to something significant. In her own words…” music mends minds.” Together, Carol and Irwin began Music Mends Minds, a Los Angeles-based organization that promotes music as an alternative therapy to neurodegenerative diseases. The Fifth Dementia Band and its offshoots are now expanding across the country.

Both patients and caregivers derive enormous benefits from the music and the camaraderie created at every rehearsal and performance and we have derived great pleasure in providing Music Mends Minds with a grant to help grow the organization’s outreach.

Click on the picture below and follow the link to CNN’s moving video on one of their latest CNN Heroes, Carol Rosenstein!