For “Solomon,”  life was coming to an end at Jerusalem’s St. Louis French Hospital, a small and historic facility that cares for mostly terminal or chronically ill patients. Though he had acquired many close friends through his life in Israel, “Solomon” had no family and as the end neared it was Rabbi Miriam Berkowitz from Kashouvot who came to visit and offer support. As I read Miriam’s account of her visit with “Solomon” I was both moved by the beautiful heartfelt words she shared with someone whose life was waning, and also stunned to realize that what she was doing was a rare occurrence in a country where rabbis are in abundance and we would expect end-of-life pastoral care to be the norm.

For Miriam and her friend and co-founder, Rabbi Valerie Stessin starting Kashouvot was the culmination of their wish to bring “together our skills, passions and interests with a deep need in Israel for opening meaningful Jewish experiences to a wider range of people.” The two chose the Hebrew word “Kashouvot” which translates to “attentive” in English. Put simply, pastoral care begins with attentive listening and that is what they and their small staff provide to hospital and home hospice patients, residents in nursing homes, and others.

With the help of a Good People Fund grant and additional matching funds, Kashouvot has now started an additional program at Hadassah Hospital as well as at a nursing home further north.

Lest we think that all that they do is associated with death and dying, we were thrilled when we heard their story about the wedding that they facilitated for two nursing home residents (aged 78 and 85). Between the bride and groom and the home’s staff, there wasn’t a dry eye to be found anywhere!

  The three smiling veterans sitting atop this new ‘Gator at Veterans Farm in Jacksonville, Florida could not be happier with their new “toy.” As Adam Burke, Veterans Farm founder wrote today, “

“It is sooo cool to have this and it is already making a difference. It was funny seeing the guys’ reactions as it was like seeing them at Christmastime. This machine has been so very helpful this harvest season. Last month we graduated another group of 5 veterans, and we’ve just started another group of 5 this month. The past 3 months we’ve been working sun up ’til sun down getting the crops out of the fields.“

We can see easily how this small, compact vehicle can zip around the farm carrying both staff and equipment to where it is needed. Certainly one of the Good People Fund’s best investments in Adam’s special work with returning veterans and training them for a new life.

“The music reminds me that I am still human and renews my ambition to resolve my circumstances.”

For Julie Leven, one of the founders of Shelter Music Boston, words like that are truly “music to her ears.” Started three years ago, SMB performs professional chamber music concerts in five Boston shelters each month. The musicians, Julie, Julia and Rebecca, are  all professionals with impressive experience playing in some of the world’s best known concert halls. And yet, as Julie commented to us when we met last week, “it is an honor to do this work.”  With the same musicians returning month after month, a rapport and personal connection with the shelter’s residents is often possible and only enhances the experience.

Shelter staff report that on concert nights residents sleep better, go to bed earlier and conflicts, so often a part of shelter life, diminish. In truth, the entire atmosphere and dynamic changes for the better.

We loved meeting Julie and hearing her passion for this work which has flawlessly matched her love for social justice with her love of music. Why should beautiful music be limited only to those who can afford a ticket to a concert hall? With SMB’s trio, the sounds of Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart and others are available to those who can most benefit from their soothing tones. It was an honor for the Good People Fund to underwrite the cost of a series of concerts for two additional shelters in Boston for the coming year.

Brava!

The smiling faces in this very “green” photo are this summer’s cohort of Amir Farmers who have just completed their seminar before departing for summer camps across this country and in Israel. As Amir Farmers each of these young men and women will teach campers about the very essence of tikkun olam; about hunger, poverty and the imperative that we care for and serve those around us. It was an honor for the Good People Fund to support Amir’s founder, David Fox, and underwrite the week’s seminar. As David recently wrote, “ the act of gardening can have a profound impact on individuals and the larger social fabric of society.  It is our imperative… to further access to garden-based education for as many people as possible.  My vision is that Amir will serve as a vehicle that provides all people the ability to build gardens and grow communities.” We love David’s vision as well as the fact that all of the very healthy veggies and fruits grown in many of these gardens will be donated to local food pantries where they will feed hungry people.