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The Good People Fund

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Abrahamic House

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Raised in Yemen, Mohammed Al Samawi  was taught from an early age to be suspicious of other faiths. An unlikely encounter with a Christian teacher challenged his beliefs and led him toward interfaith activism. In an epic story that has been shared in a compelling book, Mohammed escaped his war-torn country and came to the United States where he founded Abrahamic House, a multi-faith space where individuals from diverse religious backgrounds come together to live, learn, share, pray, celebrate, connect, and serve. Located in Washington, DC, Abrahamic House hosts emerging interfaith leaders from different faith traditions for a 1-2 year residential fellowship program. Through this program, they challenge assumptions, prejudices, and inequities, while inspiring and mobilizing others to foster understanding and build bridges across communities.

 

 

Be’Darchei Tamar – Tamar’s Way

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Every parent’s nightmare — a child diagnosed with cancer. For Iris and David Herman whose daughter Tamar died at the age of 16, the journey they traveled during her illness as well as her own thoughts of living with cancer, inspired them to create Be’darchei Tamar, or Tamar’s Way. Despite her diagnosis, Tamar was determined to live her life on her own terms, rarely allowing the illness to stifle her energy and joy of life. Inspired by the support of community during this journey, Tamar’s Way provides families in similar circumstances with food, companionship and other material support as they seek treatment at local hospitals. Even after a child has succumbed to illness, the program continues to offer support after the last friends and family have moved on. In the future they hope to be able to provide housing to families forced to travel to access medical care far from home.

Tamar’s Way is a program guided by the simple concept of Tikkun Olam – making this a better world for all.

 

A New Dawn in the Negev

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Jamal Alkirnawi, a member of Israel’s Bedouin community, has devoted his life to helping improve the lives of the nearly 150,000 Bedouins who populate the country’s Negev (and beyond). This Arab-Jewish community-based organization focuses on peace, developing leadership, promoting education and economic success for all residents of the region.

Bagel Rescue

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Atlanta’s Erin Steiglitz began Bagel Rescue only a few years ago, but in that short time she and her dedicated crew of more than 100 volunteers have managed to rescue about 15,000 bagels weekly. With more than 36 bagel shops donating, dozens of social service agencies benefit from the daily drop-offs while at the same time, ending waste and supporting hunger relief.

Collective Lavo B’tov

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Often, people with disabilities lack social contacts and meaningful support.  Shoshi Margolin and Rachel Kolette Wheeler, originally mentee and mentor, have come together to found Collective Lavo B’tov, a colloquialism that refers to having a good attitude. Collective Lavo B’tov is one project within a larger effort that empowers those with disabilities who are often isolated and provides them with community and support. As Israel navigates the trauma of October 7 and an ongoing war, Lavo B’tov’s programming removes the isolation and provides a community of caring and compassion for disabled people.

Our funds are directed to start-up costs for this new venture.

Civic Spirit

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As the political climate in America took a sharp turn in 2016, Rabbi Robert Hirt, Virginia Bayar and Dr. Tamara Tweel brought a group of concerned citizens together to try to address this alarming development. The result – Civic Spirit – an organization dedicated to teaching civic responsibility and precepts in faith-based schools across the country. Civic Spirit is now led by Rabbi Charlie Savenor who has long worked in education and leadership development programs.

Our grant was directed to the expansion of the student leadership program.