The kids pictured here are all part of the Heftzibah Community Center in Netanya. This past Monday they were visited by our friends from Lev Leytzan, a group of medical clowns headed by Dr. Neal Goldberg. We have  supported this talented group’s work for many years and this Hanukkah were thrilled to be able to connect them with The Forgotten People Fund, another Good People Fund grantee, so that the clown troupe could bring some cheer and a lot of Hanukkah presents to Israeli kids who might otherwise not celebrate. The Ethiopian kids who visit this community center come from the poorest neighborhood in Netanya and from the looks of the pictures it seems as if the game of Simple Simon (in addition to a balloon animal workshop and more) provided laughs and fun for everyone (along with some delicious sufganiyot).

“Extraordinary”…a word we use often, perhaps too often. Defined as remarkable, exceptional, amazing, astonishing, astounding, incredible, unbelievable, phenomenal — extraordinary should be reserved for that rare something or someone  we come upon but a few times in life.

The Rabbanit Bracha Kapach, z’l, was one such extraordinary person and today, at the age of 90, the Rabbanit has died and left behind an unsurpassed legacy of mitzvahs and gemilut chassidim almost too complex to describe. The legendary Pesach food packages distributed to thousands of people each Spring; brides too poor to have their own wedding gown could always count on the Rabbanit’s “bridal salon”; her camp for kids who would otherwise have no summer fun; school supplies, clothing, weekly Shabbat food; words of wisdom for those lost and distraught…the list is endless.

Over the span of more than 20 years I sat in the Rabbanit’s living room on each of my Israel visits, among the artificial flowers and hookah, the cookies from the shuk and bottles of soda and Prigat juice, and held her hand. You see, we had no common language and yet there was a deep, deep love that flowed from one to the other. My Ivrit is pathetic but her English was worse! Whenever we met and hugged she would tell me proudly, “I love you.” And I loved her for everything that she did, for her unceasing energy and passion for helping everyone. There was always a never-ending line at her door — Jerusalem’s castaways never left without some sustenance or monetary help. That was just the way it was supposed to be and when I would remind her that these mitzvahs cost money that she sometimes did not have, her answer was always the same…”Hashem ya’azor”…God will provide. And…she was right.

It was my first meeting with her that I came to understand the Hebrew word “ziv“,  for she radiated all that was good and just and right. I have often wondered if her eema, Naomi, had some premonition when this child was born and so gave her the name Bracha–for indeed, she was a blessing to everyone who knew her.

May her memory be for a blessing.

http://www.jta.org/2013/11/26/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/remembering-rabbanit-bracha-kapach-lifeline-to-jerusalems-poor-and-israel-prize-winner

In the soccer world an “assist” is a pass that ends in a goal. Recently, we became involved in an effort where more than one assist has helped kids in California who love soccer but cannot always partake because of their family’s limited resources.

 It all started when the Millburn (NJ) Rowdies wanted to honor their favorite coach and that is where the Good People Fund stepped in to help.

 When we thought of kids who might enjoy soccer we immediately remembered all of the children we met last year when visiting Sunday Friends in San Jose, CA. Sunday Friends runs a twice-monthly program in a local school that attracts the area’s poorest families (mostly first or second generation immigrants). The families work with volunteers “empowering families in need to break the cycle of poverty. Children and parents earn basic necessities while they contribute to their community, learn life skills and develop self-sufficiency.” We were sure that the Rowdies’ tzedakah collection could be used to purchase soccer equipment for some of the kids and Janis Baron, the organization’s founder, agreed.

 The Rowdies’ generous monetary donation has made it possible for Sunday Friends’ to purchase new cleats, soccer balls, knee pads and more. But — what happened next was even more exciting. The Rowdies, and several other teams inspired by their efforts, decided to collect “outgrown” equipment which will be sent to Sunday Friends.  Sydney Rosenbaum (pictured here with her sister), soon to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah, has taken on the job of collecting equipment for the Rowdies.  We expect a large shipment will go out to Sunday Friends for the upcoming holiday season.

We bet there is lots of gently used soccer equipment just waiting to find a new home…

They are so inspirational! They are illiterate but learned to weigh ingredients and how to record their income/expenses, they were disempowered and marginalized but now run their own company and raise their heads with pride!

Jacob Sztokman’s Gabriel Project Mumbai, helps to alleviate hunger for hundreds of children in the Mumbai slums while at the same time offering women there the opportunity to prepare the meals and provide income for themselves and their own families. Last month we wrote that rather than have the women prepare the food in their homes, a central facility had been found and all that was needed was some equipment to get the women started in their own business. The Good People Fund provided the funds for that equipment and this morning we received this great picture. As Jacob shared with us…”One woman was amazed that people they have never met are helping them set up their kitchen. I told her that we are all partners here in providing the children with nutritious food and for the success in their community run business…”

Hungry kids are fed. Women are empowered. What better way to invest our tzedakah?

Here in the Northeast cooler weather has finally arrived. In Tel Aviv a similar change to lower temperatures has also kicked in and that has gotten our friend Gideon Ben Ami thinking about a new and healthier way to help feed hungry people. Gideon spends a good part of his day driving from bakeries to supermarkets and other food purveyors, picking up donations of leftovers which he immediately delivers to local shelters in the area.

While the breads and cakes and bourekas he collects can certainly serve as nourishment for people who have little to eat, the carbs and sugar are most definitely not the healthiest fare to offer. A restaurateur for most of his life, Gideon decided that a rich, flavorful soup would be so much healthier and so he purchased several large soup pots and enlisted a group of volunteer “soup-makers” who have agreed to prepare at least one batch weekly (some are doing even more). The soup is then delivered to the appropriate shelter.

Word has it that this new experiment has received a very positive response. At a cost of less than 30 shekels (less than $10), a healthy alternative food choice is now available. Judging by this picture Gideon just sent we cannot help but agree. It sure doesn’t look like Campbell’s!