Besides heading The Israel Lemonade Fund — a Good People Fund grantee — Shari Mendes serves on an Israel Defense Forces reserve unit dedicated to caring for the bodies of female IDF soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. In this episode — presented as we mark one year since October 7 — Shari describes her experiences and observations on and after that day … the imperative to honor and dignify those we lost … and the place of testimony and remembrance as legacy. She speaks with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger.

Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of atrocities, including sexual violence, committed on October 7. Listener discretion is advised.

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Three of our visionary grantees in Israel vividly describe how they’re meeting new challenges since the terrorist attacks of Oct. 7, and staying true to their passions and missions elevating good and hope — and uplifting the communities they serve with renewed resolve.

While in Israel in March, GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger and GPF Director of Engagement Julie Fisher sat with Avraham Hayon of S.A.H.I., Yael Noy of Road to Recovery, and Shlomit Somech-Lehmann of Al-Baqour for a live Zoom event (link below), here presented in audio-only podcast format.

Live from Israel Zoom Recording:

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For youth across the spectrum of developmental, physical and learning abilities, the war presents unique challenges. Beth Steinberg and Miriam Avraham — both mothers of children with Down syndrome — are the Founding Directors of Shutaf (“partner” in Hebrew)  —  practicing an inclusionary model of informal programming for kids, teens, and young adults across abilities. In this conversation with Good People Fund Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger, Beth and Miriam talk about the war’s effect on their work and impact.

Since its founding, Road to Recovery has driven thousands of Palestinians — mostly children — from crossing points to Israeli hospitals for critical medical care … and back again. Road to Recovery Chair Yael Noy joins GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger to discuss how the organization and its volunteers are adjusting to new realities on the ground … and committing to hope.

This is Voices from Israel … a companion podcast of Good People Talk! … where Good People Fund grantees in Israel share how they are pivoting to meet urgent and evolving needs since the country was attacked and war began.

Shlomit Somech-Lehmann is CEO of Al Baqour, a Good People Fund grantee using innovative approaches to early childhood education to empower Israel’s challenged Bedouin community in Israel’s Negev. In this very personal conversation with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger, Shlomit shares stories of loss and hope from October 7 and the weeks since.

This is Voices from Israel … a companion podcast of Good People Talk! … where Good People Fund grantees in Israel share how they are pivoting to meet urgent and evolving needs since the country was attacked and war began.

Brit Ha’Leviot — a Good People Fund grantee in Israel —  works to protect and promote the rights and well-being of trans and gender diverse youth and their families, and educate institutions like schools, and greater Israeli society. Co-Founder Merav Livni Keish speaks to GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger about how the organization is adjusting to meet unprecedented needs since Oct. 7, and keeping its community intact.

This is Voices from Israel … a companion podcast of Good People Talk! … where Good People Fund grantees in Israel share how they are pivoting to meet urgent and evolving needs since the country was attacked and war began.

In this second episode of Voices From Israel, Good People Fund Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger welcomes and introduces Julie Fisher as GPF’s new Director of Engagement. Julie was the Founder and Director of the Consortium for Israel and the Asylum Seekers, and describes challenges to the asylee population in Israel before and since Oct. 7, and how the nonprofit sector is helping this vulnerable community.

This is Voices From Israel, a special podcast series of The Good People Fund where GPF grantees and partners describe their work responding to the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the resulting war.

Sahar — a Good People Fund grantee — has for more than two decades offered volunteer-based online support to Israelis experiencing mental and emotional distress. Since the horrific attack on Israel on October 7, the organization has geared up to meet unprecedented need for its services. In this first episode of Voices from Israel, GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger speaks with Sahar CEO Yael Levy, who describes the trauma among Israelis and how Sahar is meeting the moment.

This is Voices from Israel … a companion podcast of Good People Talk! … where Good People Fund grantees in Israel share how they are pivoting to meet urgent and evolving needs since the country was attacked and war began.