March, 2025
As we reach the halfway point in our annual visit with our Israel grantees, there is a deep heaviness that permeates our conversations.
Being a nonprofit leader is stressful in the best of circumstances. During an elongated war, it is on so many levels beyond challenging. Each of our Good People here has a personal situation demanding valuable physical and emotional presence. At the same time, they are seeking to serve their communities with limited resources.
Yet countering the stresses is a fierce determination to overcome the moment and claim the impact and positive change that is their drive. And that is just as apparent during our visits, and a source of pride to all of us who support them at a time when their work is arguably more important than ever.
We were already here that difficult day when four coffins arrived in Israel from Gaza, when the entire country seemed to be holding its breath. That evening, we celebrated the 80th birthday of our grantee, Gideon Ben Ami, founder of Pesia’s Kitchen/EAT. In the large restaurant were many other tables celebrating milestones. Suspended above were orange balloons reminding everyone of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, the babies who have come to represent the horrors of October 7.
In the midst of the horror and pain, people here continue to live and believe there are better days ahead, and our grantees are no different.
This year, in addition to our one-on-one conversations and site visits, we brought our grantees together for small gatherings in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Our intention, as always, was to provide an opportunity to connect, spark ideas for collaboration and support, and nurture a strong sense of community.
A memorable moment (pictured) was at our Jerusalem event, as we walked together through the rain to witness firsthand the impact of JLM Food Rescuers, one of our grantees. Our hosts, co-founders Daniella Seltzer and Itay Peled, took us through the bustling Givat Shaul wholesale market, where we learned about how they rescue surplus food and redistribute it to those in need. Their efforts alleviate hunger, address food waste and promote sustainability — all while strengthening community ties in the disparate neighborhoods of Jerusalem.
These gatherings are a part of building lasting relationships between our grantees, supporting each other’s growth, and reinforcing our commitment to our shared values of kindness, compassion, and empathy. We are posting moments from our visits with our grantees to our GPF social media accounts and hope you are following our highlights there too.
Finally, our Good People Talk! podcast this month features Esty Shushan, founder of Nivcharot — a GPF grantee — which is breaking down barriers for Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) women by working for equal space in society and empowering them through leadership training to redefine their roles and voices, changing society from the inside. Please listen and be inspired by the impact you are making as part of the GPF family.
Another week to go meeting our wonderful Good People Fund grantees!
Naomi and Julie
