A fluent Arabic speaker and former journalist, Rabbi Elhanan Miller saw that many Muslims he knew didn’t have a clear understanding of Jewish practices and beliefs. What better way to effect mutual understanding and friendship between people in the Middle East with different religious and cultural backgrounds than education? People of the Book uses short animated videos that explain Jewish faith and ritual in Arabic and compare them to similar Muslim practices. The success of Rabbi Miller’s approach is best found in the tens of thousands of subscribers who access the People of the Book social media channels. Our funds are used for website development and administrative expenses.
Israel
Candles of Hope
Pregnancy and infant loss is rarely discussed in Israeli society. Elysa Rapoport and her husband had very few resources available to them when they lost a child and went through their unique journey of grief. In Israel approximately 6 infants are stillborn per 1000 live births and 1 in 4 pregnancies ends in loss, but there was no national pregnancy and infant loss response or support services. (According to a 2016 study, the first of its kind in Israel, over a third of women who suffer pregnancy or infant loss go on to develop full PTSD.)
This young program has already held a national symposium which was very well attended. Our matching grant is directed towards a brochure to disseminate to the medical community and beyond.
MARVA
For elders at risk of abuse or neglect, and young adults with mental or abuse challenges, MARVA is an extraordinary resource. Dr. Michal Wosner and Dr. Mickey Schindler, MARVA’s main visionaries, use their expertise in both the law and social work to create a holistic operation that reduces suffering, preserves independence and restores dignity.
“So often, legal or social welfare or therapeutic approaches are not enough or sufficient on their own,” said Dr. Schindler. “Each can be effective in some way, but not in a whole way, and not give a complete sort of intervention and solution.” MARVA’s model does just that.
Our grant helps establish a new office in Northern Israel.
Kaima Nahalal
Merav Carmi is a sixth-generation farmer whose family has worked the land in Israel’s north since long before the establishment of the State. Her background in environmental studies, biodynamic agriculture and community building made the founding of this latest Kaima farm a natural evolution.
Kaima Nahalal is the only farm in the Kaima model focused only on helping young girls who have not succeeded in more traditional educational settings. An overwhelming number of them have experienced sexual trauma, as well. The girls run all aspects of the farm and in so doing develop new skills as well as a sense of responsibility, a connection to nature, a sense of initiative, and a foundation for future economic security. Our funds cover the cost a new vehicle for farm operations, and cover the cost of residential
program staff.
Road to Recovery
Road to Recovery’s volunteers provide transportation for people from West Bank and Gaza checkpoints to Israeli hospitals for critical care. Each ride fosters friendship between people for whom peaceful coexistence has been consistently unattainable — the positive outcome founder Yuval Roth was hoping for after losing his brother in a terrorist attack.
Despite Covid restrictions, volunteers made 9,650 trips for 15,000 patients. 2020 also saw the opening of RtoR’s new transportation logistics center and a partnership with Pesia’s Kitchen (another GPF grantee), to provide infant formula and non-perishables to patients who live where food is scarce. Our funds are used to purchase medical supplies and fuel.
Magen
Of the more than 150,000 Ethiopians currently residing in Israel, more than 50% live below the poverty line. Included in these numbers are thousands of teens who arrived as babies or young children and hold no memories of their place of birth.
Dr. Stu Chesner, a clinical psychologist who has had far-reaching impact on the treatment of at-risk children in Israel, worked in the “system” for many years and became familiar with the struggles of these at-risk teens. He founded Magen to guide these teens as they mature and become productive adults by providing a holistic approach to academic, emotional and social intelligence. Included in this approach are activities to help them understand their heritage and culture.
Our funds are used for administrative expenses.
