Dear Naomi,

We are writing this letter on behalf of the participants of the debate
club that your foundation sponsored.

It has been a year since we started to pursue this wish of learning
the wisdom and the tools of debate. Because of your generosity, we
finally got the chance to do so.

At this time we have passed over 15 meetings, and in each session we
challenged ourselves to meet new demands. We believe that the tools
acquired in this course will help us to achieve whatever goals we’ll
set our mind to do and help others. From this point forward our
primary task is to deliver this great wisdom to our brothers and
sisters in the community. In fact, we have just received another grant
that will allow us to offer this course to more participants…

We wish to thank you for your support and trust – we’ll do our best to
live up to the expectations.

Keep shining in the world with your GOOD people.

Sincerely yours,

The debate club

Matan Zara

Golan Jamber

It was just one year ago while visiting Israel that we had the chance to meet Golan Jamber and Matan Zera, two  Ethiopian army officers who represent the very best of  new young leadership – fine character, vision and a strong concern for their fellow Ethiopians as they struggle to succeed in their adopted home.

Israeli Ethiopians, by and large, often fall into the lowest economic strata. As a people, they are seen as quiet and unassuming; many think them weak and limited in ability. Golan and Matan wanted to change that perception and when we met shared their vision of offering the best Ethiopian IDF officers an opportunity to study the art of debate at a well-known Israeli center. Learning to debate will empower these young people in new ways, tapping into their potential and developing strength and conviction; ultimately, making them even better leaders in their community.

Judging by this letter it seems that our belief in these two young men has proven correct. The debate course has produced a group of more effective leaders and perhaps even more important has been recognized by other funders who want to see the program grow.

Thank you Golan and Matan for your creative leadership and for giving the Good People Fund this special tzedakah opportunity.