After seeing firsthand how difficult it can be for people on the margins of society to access medical care, Ronnie-Lee Sneh founded Tel Aviv Street Medicine. Rather than waiting for patients to come to them, Ronnie-Lee and her team bring medical care, compassion, and dignity directly to those who need it most. Through outreach, treatment, and advocacy, they help vulnerable individuals receive care while building trust and human connection along the way.
Israel
Kol Hasordot – Survivor Voices
After surviving trafficking, prostitution, and exploitation, three courageous women founded Kol Hasordot – Survivor Voices to save others from what they experienced. By sharing their stories, they break taboos, educate the public, advocate for change, and work to ensure that no woman suffers the abuse they endured. Through programs in schools, universities, police units, and other settings, they challenge harmful attitudes, increase awareness, and help build a future rooted in dignity, safety, and hope. Please Note: We keep the names of the founders private for their safety.
Back to Life Farm
After the loss of their dear friend to the effects of trauma, Assaf Nave and Chen Schatzberger co-founded Back to Life Farm with the hope of helping others find healing and preventing similar tragedies. Through therapy, connection to nature, meaningful engagement, and caring for rescued animals, participants receive support in a nurturing community. By creating a place where people and animals heal together, Back to Life Farm helps individuals build resilience, purpose, and hope for the future.
Speaking Jerusalem
Speaking Jerusalem brings together residents of East and West Jerusalem through language learning, interest groups, and shared experiences. Participants build friendships, strengthen language skills, and develop tools that support educational and employment opportunities while gaining a deeper understanding of one another’s communities. Under the leadership of Suzan Sayyed and Lior Urian, the organization is helping create connections across divides and building a more inclusive and connected Jerusalem.
Sidreh
Recognizing the barriers facing Bedouin women in the Negev, Khadra El Sana and other Bedouin women founded Sidreh to create opportunities for education, economic independence, and leadership. Through traditional weaving, literacy programs, and community development initiatives, women gain skills, confidence, and income while preserving an important cultural heritage. Their work is helping Bedouin women strengthen their families, communities, and futures.
Ma’atzimot – Empowering Ethiopian Women
Racheli Tadessa Malkai emigrated from Ethiopia to Israel in 1991. She was more than familiar with the traditional role played by women in her culture as well as the difficulties faced by people of color in their adopted homeland. She founded Ma’atzimot – Empowering Ethiopian-Israeli Women not only to counter that traditional role but also to address increased sexual harassment and domestic violence plaguing these women.
Racheli’s success can be judged by the more than 18,000 women and girls who have participated in programs run in nearly thirty communities across the country. Those programs promote leadership development, vocational training, entrepreneurship, emotional resilience and pride in their Ethiopian heritage.
