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We awoke In the very early morning hours and recalled that this was the day that Gilad Shalit was to be released. We wondered if it would really happen and then this email from Phyllis Heimowitz who founded the Amuta (Non-Profit) for the Emotional Support of Fiancees and Girlfriends of Fallen Soldiers popped up on our screen. The organization provides emotional support to women (and occasional men) who have lost their loved one in an IDF-related incident. The emotional support comes in the form of weekly group therapy, as well as shared social engagements where the unique bonds that join each of these bereaved people are strengthened. Phyllis’ email provided not only a poignant back story to what was taking place in Israel today, but also emphasized the organization’s importance in repairing lives shattered by loss.

It is 5:45 AM. I am up since about 5 AM because my mind is full of thoughts. All of Israel is waking up today and … their first thoughts are of Gilad, who is being released today after more than 5 years in captivity…

The Amuta was crucial in helping these two young women piece together their broken lives and to go on. This is the aim of the Amuta.

A call just came in from Linda Smith at Reading Village and it was just what we love to hear…

As we have reported before, Reading Village works in small Guatemalan villages developing an environment where reading is important and encouraged. To effect this change, they form leadership groups of middle and high school students who act as mentors to younger children, reading with them and encouraging them to succeed. The program also provides scholarships for the leadership group as well as free books for local institutions and groups. With the ability to read, these kids will have many more opportunities for self-sufficiency and independence than their parents ever had.

Linda’s voice was excited as she shared that her mailman had just delivered a package of the most beautiful bookmarks (and we think you will agree) that were made by the students at Temple Har Shalom in Warren, NJ. She knows that this package will be the first thing she puts in her suitcase for her upcoming trip to Guatemala.

Imagine…Hebrew school kids in New Jersey, connecting so thoughtfully with a group of Mayan children learning to read in remote areas of Guatemala…it truly is an olam katan…a small world after all.

His name is Isaac* and now, twelve years old, he is first beginning to "blossom". Isaac is an Israeli-born Ethiopian whose mother traveled through the deserts of Sudan to eventually reach Israel. It was after she arrived that Isaac was born and his parents divorced.

We learned about Isaac from Libby Reichman of Big Brothers, Big Sisters in Israel. Libby is always a great resource for us when we want to use some of the tzedakah our donors send to us to help a child get ahead. Libby shared that Isaac’s mom is loving and supportive but the family has few resources and Isaac has no man in his life to help guide him. In school he was doing poorly because of a serious reading problem which had not yet been identified.

When Libby found a young man who wanted to become Isaac’s "big brother" things began to change for him. While Eli*, his "big" offered Isaac many fun activities like swimming and movies, he also recognized that Isaac was smart, positive and charismatic but needed much direction if he was to succeed in life. Eli and Libby worked together on getting Isaac tested and discovered that he had a serious learning disability (dyslexia) which was hampering his school success. Once the problem was identified Eli arranged for a friend to begin tutoring him. Eli and Isaac also built a desk so that Isaac could study in a proper place and soon a computer was located to further help his academic progress.

When we learned about Isaac and his tutoring needs we thought that this could be a tremendous tzedakah investment that would pay great dividends. So, in addition to Isaac’s apparent skills in hip-hop dance, he is also becoming a great student with the tutoring that the Good People Fund and their amazing partners-in-tzedakah at Wilshire Boulevard Temple Religious School are now underwriting.

*a pseudonym

As we all prepare for the upcoming New Year that will (hopefully) include several sumptuous meals with friends and family, we are pleased to share the following short messages we just received from some of the many people both here and in Israel who allocated our donated supermarket scrip to needy families and individuals that they work with. More than $10,000 was donated to help with food costs this holiday season. We are so grateful to all of our donors who make this possible. It does feel good!

Dear Naomi,
Here is the breakdown of how the scrip was distributed. Hopefully the holidays will be a little easier for them, thanks to your help.
Family Mraga: 1,000
Family Benshalom: 1,500nis
Tzippora: 1,000
Our contact, GL (Shimon, Liat and one other family): 3,000
Family Levin: 500
Risa Benami: 740
Ripkin: 1,000

Karyn
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Naomi

The 6,560 NIS is providing essential help in sustenance for these families. In deepest gratitude for this wonderful Holiday Mitzvah,
Avshalom
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My dear Naomi,
… I received the scrip and I am so grateful that I can give out this money to the few girlfriends that really need a financial helping hand. There is one girlfriend, married now, who actually doesn’t have enough money to buy food. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Phyllis

Naomi,

Adam

Nothing makes us happier than hearing from Adam Burke, the founder and inspiration behind Veterans Farm in Florida. Adam, a vet who returned to this country with serious injuries, including PTSD, recalled how much farming meant to him as he was growing up on a blueberry farm. Couldn’t others returning from war with both physical and emotional disabilities gain a renewed sense of purpose by working outside, tilling the earth, planting, harvesting?

It seems that Adam’s efforts have taken off as Veterans Farm expands its work.

We could not be happier to be part of this truly lifesaving effort. Think of it the next time you enjoy a bowl of blueberries!

We just learned that Randi Cairns and her organization, Home Front Hearts will be featured on PBS’s Need to Know series this Friday evening. Randi’s experiences as the wife of a thrice-deployed soldier inspired her to begin Home Front Hearts which works to provide support and resources to the families of service members, as well as increase public awareness of the unique problems military families face while encouraging community response to those difficulties.

The Good People Fund has worked closely with Randi and her (mostly) volunteer staff. We know that it is their own personal experiences as military wives that guide them as they help other service families overcome the many problems associated with military service.

Here are two brief clips from the piece being broadcast Friday evening–well worth matching:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/health/video-military-families-struggle-with-the-war-at-home/11389/

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/health/video-supporting-military-families-home-front-hearts/11355/