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In Between – Bein Le Vein

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A third of Israeli families today experience divorce, and there are over a quarter of a million children of divorced parents in Israel. Drawing upon her own experiences, Michal Feffer knew that, with proper support, kids struggling with divorce could survive and even flourish.  A lawyer and social entrepreneur, she started Bein Le Vein (In Between), the only program of its kind in Israel, providing parents and children with support and guidance as they manage the emotional trauma of separation and divorce in their families.

With one center in Holon, our matching funds are used to establish an additional center in Tel Aviv-Jaffo.

 

 

Detroit Phoenix Center

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Courtney Smith’s “aha” moment came when her teenage brother showed up at the house she shared with roommates with all his belongings and homeless – just as she, her sisters, and her parents had all been at similar ages. As Courtney cared for her brother and her basement filled with air mattresses for him and his friends, she knew this was not a long-term solution.  And, other programs to which she connected them did not work. She founded Detroit Phoenix Center, a drop-in model driven by youth voices and where homeless and street-connected youth have autonomy over their lives. Her brother – head of the Center’s youth action board – died by suicide two days before the Center opened, proving to Courtney that this work was the difference between life and death. Almost four years later, DPC provides resources and support – showers, meals, basic need items and clothing, a computer lab, and so much more –  to high-risk and homeless youth.

Our funds are directed to administrative expenses.

Pure Heart Foundation

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By age 7, she’d seen two parents taken off to prison. The experience was psychologically, emotionally and physically devastating — and put her face-to-face with trauma and a culture of indifference, both ready to swallow her.

They didn’t. Sherelle Hogan made it to college and the corporate world. Six years ago she pivoted to establish Pure Heart Foundation — based in Detroit — to provide immediate intervention and longer term support to children of imprisoned parents, and work to break cycles of generational incarceration.

PHF focuses on academic enrichment, mental and physical wellness, and family reunification — and pandemic-related emergency needs — within a community of support, healing, and achievement. Since its founding, PHF has helped about 2,500 young people, and to date, NONE of Pure Heart Foundation’s “scholars” have entered the criminal justice system.

Our funds help cover administrative expenses and emergency grocery gift cards for PHF community members.

TribeTalk

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At one university, a Jewish student resigned from student government after being harassed for her pro-Israel views. At another, neo-Nazi posters were removed. At a third, anti-Israel rallies took place on the quad. The list goes on, as antisemitic and anti-Zionist incidents rise on college campuses.

In Massachusetts, visionaries Michelle Black, Robin Friedman, and Jude Sydney recognized that their own children were unprepared to navigate shifting, challenging and sometimes threatening environments. In 2020, the three founded TribeTalk as a resource-rich hub giving college-bound high school students connections and information to help them evaluate Jewish life on campuses … and equip them with the knowledge and confidence to wear their Jewish identities proudly once there — and beyond.

Our funds help cover administrative expenses.

Pittsburgh Interfaith Evolutions / 2 For Seder

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Attacks in Pittsburgh, Jersey City, Poway and beyond make it more imperative than ever to find ways to combat the extraordinary rise in antisemitism. The US has become a deeply polarized nation where too often hatred of the “other” is acceptable and human rights ignored.

Pittsburgh Interfaith Evolutions is Marnie Fienberg’s response to the murder of her mother-in-law, Joyce Fienberg, and 11 other Jewish people at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue. Joyce loved to meet strangers and invite them to her Seders. How better to get to know someone and break down barriers? PIE’s signature program, 2 for Seder, does just that. Participants agree to host a few non-Jews and are provided all of the materials they need to hold a meaningful service that will open hearts and open minds. Postponed because of the pandemic, plans are now underway for community Seders in Spring 2022.

Our matching grant underwrites administrative expenses.

Warehouse NJ

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“If I didn’t have this experience or Ms. Kim I would probably still be living in my car, because that is where I was living.” This woman speaks for the nearly 200 individuals and families who are no longer homeless, having finally received a Section 8 housing voucher. Whether they have mental illness, are victims of domestic violence or are newly settled refugees, they are all clients of one of the 14 social service agencies currently working with Kim Sleeman at The Warehouse NJ.

Kim, a long-time volunteer for many causes, makes possible a new life for each client along with the donated furniture she lets them select from her numerous storage units. Kim’s desire to help others grows even further when she sees how empowered recipients feel to not only have a safe place to sleep but a beautiful one as well.

Our matching grant helps underwrite storage costs.