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Ma’atzimot

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.

Konnection

Sharnese Marshall grew up in a loving and supportive household where attending school each day, getting good grades and helping others was instilled in her DNA from the beginning. And yet, in Detroit she witnessed a very different dynamic where chronic absenteeism and the problems that come with it were all too obvious. Kids from broken homes, unstable living conditions and economic challenges just didn’t go to school. In fact, Detroit leads the country in chronic absenteeism.

In 2019 Sharnese founded The Konnection to help youth from underserved communities feel supported and seen. The program focuses on connections and relationships, keeping kids engaged and excited about school. A school-based clothes closet, field trips, personal mentoring along with education, unlock students’ potential and provides opportunities that ensure success in school and life.

Kavod v’Nichum

Our society has become more sensitive to the importance and deeply meaningful aspects of life cycle events, even death. Founded 23 years ago by David Zinner, and now led by Sarit Wishnevski, Kavod v’Nichum helps communities learn how to approach all aspects of end-of-life – serious illness, dying, death, bereavement and mourning – with compassion and meaning.

Our matching funds are directed to the organization’s training programs.

Magen for Jewish Communities

Sexual abuse within Israeli society (and elsewhere) has finally come out of the shadows and is receiving the attention it deserves. As the Executive Director, Shana Aaronson and her staff are deeply committed to providing multiple ways to support victims of this trauma. Working with compassion, they offer victims access to therapy and other communal resources. But, perhaps, most important is their belief in the victim, so often missing in these circumstances. Magen also works to educate the community and promotes full transparency. For them, victims’ needs take precedence.

Our funds are directed to advocacy and investigatory staffing.

My Child’s Cancer

A cancer diagnosis is devastating to anyone, but when it is your child, the grief and confusion can be overwhelming. For Oded Grinstein and his wife, then living in Israel, there was one overarching goal — to find the best possible medical care for their nine-month-old daughter. Their exhaustive research led them to a major cancer center in the U.S. where a doctor with many years of experience with this specific type of rare cancer successfully treated the child. The Grinstein’s journey inspired them to create My Child’s Cancer which provides access to research, advocacy and support to families who are embarking on this journey.

Our grant was directed to funding expert opinions on neuroblastoma cases.

Medical Justice Alliance

Founder Dr. Mark Fenig is an emergency room physician in New York. His organization MJA seeks out volunteer healthcare professionals to protect incarcerated people’s constitutional right to medical care. They also seek out volunteer attorneys to advocate in the courts on behalf of these rights.

The organization focuses on: advocacy (policy change) to ensure that incarcerated people receive the care they are entitled to; recruitment and training volunteer healthcare professionals to offer pro bono and heavily discounted expert medical witness services in legal claims involving incarcerated people; and educating medical professionals and attorneys about the need for their services and the best way to offer those services.

Our matching funds are directed to a new staff position for this volunteer-run effort.