A-C

Collective Lavo B’tov

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.

Brit Ha’Leviot

When Leora’s daughter Nili was 15, she shared that she felt uncomfortable in her body. For two years, Nili’s mental health deteriorated, until she met with a therapist who helped her through her gender transition.

What do parents do in that kind of situation? Seeking support, Leora came upon the work of Brit Ha’Leviot. “At first it was rough. I cried about…how bad things are…. But “the alliance of lionesses encouraged me … I found people who understood what I was going through,” Leora says.

In 2016, Merav Livni Keish joined with three other mothers of trans kids to address these new challenges. Their mutual support evolved into Brit Ha’Leviot, an organization now dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of trans and gender diverse children, supporting their families, transforming institutions and educating Israeli society at large.

Our matching funds are directed to administrative expenses.

A Courageous Voice

Veronica, now a teenager, endured years of sexual abuse committed by her uncle. For a long time she suffered in silence. Then she participated in a program called Kids Voices Matter, offered by A Courageous Voice, where she learned that it was okay to speak out about her experiences and seek help.

Amy Ever began ACV to provide education and awareness of child sex abuse both on- and offline. The program works with schools and youth groups in the Detroit metro area, where child trafficking and sexual abuse of children is particularly acute. As a survivor herself, Amy says, “I never want to see another child affected the way I was.” As ACV grows, she hopes to protect the lives of many more kids.

Our matching funds are directed to administrative expenses.

BirdieLight

As a college freshman, Eunseo had already lost five friends to accidental opioid poisoning. At a BirdieLight presentation, he found many other students with similar stories. “What I appreciated most,” he says, “was the use of appropriate language (i.e., poisoning vs. overdose) … I believe that the resources they distribute will save lives.”

Fentanyl is a leading cause of death among adults between the ages of 18 and 45. Dr. Beth Weinstock’s 21-year-old son Eli died after ingesting an herbal supplement laced with fentanyl — which inspired her and her daughter Olivia to found BirdieLight. The organization has reached thousands of high school and college students across the US, using presentations and written materials to educate, and distributing lifesaving fentanyl test strips. Their approach, Beth says, “is to just have conversations with young people, nonjudgmental and honest conversations.”

Our funds are directed to administrative expenses.

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.