The Good People Fund
For many years, Marla Gamoran provided a meaningful way for people to volunteer on-site for Israeli organizations. As COVID made that work impossible, English B’Yachad was born. English language volunteers, working from their homes in the States, tutor Israeli young adults from the Ethiopian and other disadvantaged communities, to improve economic opportunity. The outcomes are profound!
Our funds are used for their minimal administrative expenses.
Refugees arrive in the US from all over the world, for a variety of reasons, but what they are all seeking is a safer life for themselves and their children. Founded by Shoshana Akabas, New Neighbors Partnership has welcomed families from more than 32 different countries, including Afghanistan and Ukraine. Newly arrived families are matched with local “partner families” with slightly older children that share 2-3 clothing “hand-me-down” packages per year, creating a long-standing personal relationship between families. And through the Summer Book Project each child in their program (more than 400) received a new book to read over the summer.
Our matching funds are directed to the salary for additional staff.
In Israel, as well as any country where soldiers must fight to protect their land, the incidence of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is high. Resolving the effects of this serious illness is complicated and, often, alternative therapies, can provide relief. Ruca’s Farm will provide individual and group treatment in a sustainable organic farm environment, giving the soldiers the opportunity to gain confidence, build self-esteem, receive an income and prepare for eventual work in a traditional setting.
Nir Lahav, Ruca’s Farm founder, comes from a family of farmers, beginning with his parents who arrived in Israel from Argentina and immediately started to work the land. In fact, his mother, Ruca, became legend as the tractor driver on their kibbutz. He knows first-hand, the benefits of this type of work and with major organic produce suppliers already on board, within three years the farm will become self-sustaining.
Our matching funds are used to underwrite the salary of a farm manager.
Based in Beersheva in the Negev where there are thousands of African asylees, Negev Refugees Center provides food, social support and children’s programming through a mostly volunteer staff, one volunteer in particular is a refugee himself. Unlike in Tel Aviv where there are many, many organizations set up to help this group, there are very few in this region.
Our funds provide supermarket scrip.
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.
While there are many negative connotations associated with the term “Millenials”, it is difficult to recognize any of them when you meet Ronnie Lee and Matan Asulan, founders of Heart to Plate. College classmates, When Ronnie and Matan became aware of the number of elderly people who lead lives of isolation and hunger insecurity they were determined to help. Gathering friends and other volunteers (often entire families), the two created Heart to Plate, surely an appropriate term. Each elder is paired with two volunteers who, between them, are responsible for preparing extra Shabbat food for the elder and personally visiting each of them, thus creating a bond of both sustenance and friendship. The organization operates in five communities, with two new ones planned for this summer.
Our funds are directed to administrative expenses.
