Welcome to Good People Talk, a Podcast where social entrepreneurs and visionaries –those who are changing and uplifting lives and communities in the U.S., Israel, and elsewhere around the world – describe what it is that drives and motivates them to tackle seemingly intractable challenges and generate deep impact. Their stories frame how change-makers, often informed by their Jewish values and in partnership with philanthropy, can change the narrative. To learn more, go to goodpeoplefund.org.
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Welcome to Good People Talk, a Podcast where social entrepreneurs and visionaries –those who are changing and uplifting lives and communities in the U.S., Israel, and elsewhere around the world – describe what it is that drives and motivates them to tackle seemingly intractable challenges and generate deep impact. Their stories frame how change-makers, often informed by their Jewish values and in partnership with philanthropy, can change the narrative. To learn more, go to goodpeoplefund.org.
Everyday Boston is a Good People Fund grantee that is weaving shared storytelling into the civic fabric of Boston. The intention is to elevate empathy, dismantle barriers, forge connections and build stronger community within and among neighborhoods in a multicultural city with its own history of fracture. “Stories can link us when almost nothing else … Continue reading Stories of Hope: Everyday Boston →
Almog was 20 when he embraced his gender identity, nearly 13 years ago. Public consciousness of transgender issues — and support for individuals and families — was far from present. For Merav Livni Keish — Almog’s mother — silence was no option. She began talking to people, uncovering others’ experiences. She dug deep into the medical … Continue reading Stories of Hope: Brit Ha’Leviot →
It was five years ago that three mothers of college-bound students founded TribeTalk, a Good People Fund grantee. Their mission … to empower Jewish students with tools, information and resources to evaluate college environments … and also to address antisemitism and anti-Israel bias on campus and beyond. “We are providing a shield for Jewish students … Continue reading Stories of Hope: TribeTalk →
MyChild’sCancer — founded by Oded Grinstein in 2010 and a Good People Fund grantee — is a result of his family’s arduous and ultimately successful journey through pediatric cancer. It is a growing, grassroots ecosystem of emotional, logistical and informed support for parents navigating pediatric cancer. It empowers and equips them as advocates for their child’s care, … Continue reading Stories of Hope: MyChild’sCancer →
He was 16 and on a well-worn path of societal isolation, educational stagnation, and other barriers to promise. One of 14 children in an Arab-Bedouin family in Israel’s Negev region, Ahamad was immersed in a cycle of inertia common to his generation. A New Dawn in the Negev — a Good People Fund grantee — is embracing … Continue reading Stories of Hope: A New Dawn in the Negev →
The graffiti was vile, sprayed on buildings in Tur’an, a mainly Arabic village in Israel’s Galilee region. Soon after, a delegation from Tag Meir went to meet council members and residents as an act of solidarity and compassion. Gadi Gvaryahu, founder of Tag Meir, was there. “It starts with graffiti … if it is ignored, … Continue reading Stories of Hope: Tag Meir →
Dr. Rutie Pilz-Burstein is the Founder and CEO of Sport – Bridge to Education, a nonprofit organization using sports to empower Israeli children and young adults in risk situations … enabling them to break cycles of failure and take alternate paths toward responsibility and success. She describes how a vision became a reality and the … Continue reading In Israel, Changing Young Lives through Sports →
Dr. Mark Fenig — Founder and Executive Director of Medical Justice Alliance, a Good People Fund grantee — describes alarming inequities and injustices in medical care afforded incarcerated individuals in the US … and how he was moved by ethics and conscience to change that reality, advocating for compassionate or medical care releases on a … Continue reading For Incarcerated Individuals, Ensuring Proper Medical Care as a Right →
Refugees, asylees and immigrants — and grassroots organizations providing them with critical services and community — are challenged as never before as xenophobia and official policies create an increasingly oppressive environment. Shoshana Barzel of New Neighbors Partnership, Kristen Bloom of Refugee Assistance Alliance, and Kari Miller of International Neighbors lead Good People Fund-supported organizations navigating … Continue reading The Toll of Xenophobia →
As a Latina woman, Yurani Sandoval knows well the cultural, familial and personal challenges to work-life balance and achievement. She founded Women Palante — a Good People Fund grantee — to empower other Latinas to find their voices and entrepreneurial success by building skills, networking, and importantly … practicing self-care, awareness and purpose. Good People … Continue reading “Women Belong in Every Room” →
At Kaima Hukuk — a non-profit organic farm in Israel’s Galilee region — teens and young adults seeking alternative educational and social frameworks are finding connection, purpose and promise. Founder Asaf Zaiden speaks to Good People Fund Associate Executive Director Julie Fisher about the vision and impact of Kaima Hukuk and how lives are being … Continue reading At an Organic Farm in Israel, Changing Young Lives →
Considering societal trends and schisms threatening the robust functioning of American democracy, Civic Spirit — a Good People Fund grantee — works with educators and students in faith-based schools across the country to bolster civic fluency, skills and engagement. Civic Spirit’s Executive Director, Rabbi Charles Savenor, speaks with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger about the … Continue reading In Challenging Times, Advancing Civic Engagement →
Jamal Alkirnawi is a leader in the Bedouin community in Israel and the Founder and Executive Director of A New Dawn in the Negev, a Good People Fund grantee. The organization uplifts Bedouin youth facing socio-economic challenges in the region, and with a Bedouin-Jewish core, promotes equality, co-existence and peace. “I have the responsibility for … Continue reading In Israel’s Negev, A Passion to Uplift Bedouin Youth and Advance Co-Existence →
Shoshana Barzel founded New Neighbors Partnership in 2020, establishing clothing partnerships for newly resettled families in New York City. The clothing partnerships are the foundation of long-term community support networks, an invaluable anchor for refugee, asylee and asylum-seeking families. Shoshana speaks with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger. The Good People Fund: www.goodpeoplefund.org Read The Good … Continue reading For Newly Resettled Families in NYC, Threads of Connection and Support →
Esty Shushan is a Haredi woman who founded Nivcharot — a Good People Fund grantee — to promote the status and rights of ultra-Orthodox women in Israel through education, advocacy and cultivation of women leaders. In conversation with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger, Esty describes her personal journey finding her voice as a social visionary, … Continue reading For Haredi Women in Israel, Gaining a Voice →
Individual and collective trauma affects our potential to do good in the world as social visionaries, especially now in a broken landscape. So, how we seek awareness, perspective and healing is critical. Rabbi Igal Harmelin — who is active in the trauma field and spoke at The Good People Fund (un)conference last fall — talks … Continue reading Healing as Activism →
The first-ever Good People Fund (un)conference brought nearly 70 GPF grantees from throughout the US and Israel to New York in November — for two intensely rewarding days sharing experiences, origin stories, professional development and more … and shattering the isolation inherent in visionary leadership. In this post-(un)conference episode of Good People Talk, GPF Executive … Continue reading In Their Own Words: Reflections from The Good People Fund 2024 (un)conference →
Merav filled her tote bag with fresh fruits and vegetables, a typical scene at a farmer’s market anywhere. But this one in West Jerusalem is different: food is rescued, prices are non-existent, and individuals and families facing food insecurity — like Merav’s — are welcomed and respected. The whole environment, created by JLM Food Rescuers … Continue reading Stories of Hope: JLM Food Rescuers →
Often their life experience includes being ostracized from family … being homeless … being a sex worker … being abused … being shunned. So at Trans House in Tel Aviv, trans women are embraced for who they are without judgment or whispers. Linor Abergel is CEO of the Israeli Transgender Association — a Good People … Continue reading Stories of Hope: Israeli Transgender Association →
Beth Weinstock walked into that classroom carrying grief … but also a driving purpose. In 2021, her college-aged son Eli accidentally ingested fentanyl and died. Yet six months later, Beth and her daughter, Olivia, co-founded BirdieLight — a Good People Fund grantee — to honor Eli by spreading awareness about fentanyl in drugs to students, … Continue reading Stories of Hope: BirdieLight →
Welcome to Good People Talk, a Podcast where social entrepreneurs and visionaries –those who are changing and uplifting lives and communities in the U.S., Israel, and elsewhere around the world – describe what it is that drives and motivates them to tackle seemingly intractable challenges and generate deep impact. Their stories frame how change-makers, often informed by their Jewish values and in partnership with philanthropy, can change the narrative. To learn more, go to goodpeoplefund.org.
