Our visionary and engaging partners talk about their drive and impact in Good People Talk, the monthly podcast of The Good People Fund. It’s all about good people doing good in the world with creativity and hard work … and talking about it!
Find a new episode of Good People Talk here each month, or subscribe on SoundCloud. We’d love to hear your comments or suggestions too. So be in touch!
Episode 47: Music as Medicine
After Irwin Rosenstein (z’l) was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and later dementia, his wife Carol discovered that music making eased his condition and uplifted his spirits. So the two founded Music Mends Minds — a Good People Fund grantee based in Los Angeles — to create musical support groups benefiting individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases … as well as their families and caregivers. Carol speaks with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger about their remarkable journey and its greater impact.
Episode 46: The Good People Fund (un)conference, A Conversation with Keynote Speaker Rabbi Joel Mosbacher
As The Good People Fund’s (un)conference approaches in November, our guest is Rabbi Joel Mosbacher of Temple Shaaray Tefila in NYC, host of the two-day event. Rabbi Mosbacher — who will be a keynote speaker at the (un)conference — describes its significance to the Shaaray Tefila community, and shares his compelling social action journey, one that began with family tragedy and is now making impact addressing gun violence. He speaks with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger.
Episode 45: In Israel, Preserving Dignity and Autonomy for Vulnerable Individuals
MARVA — a Good People Fund grantee — was founded in 2015 by Israeli attorneys and social welfare experts who wanted to assist and empower Israelis facing difficulties caring for their personal welfare, well-being and legal rights. GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger speaks with Dr. Mickey Schindler and Dr. Michal Wosner of MARVA.
Episode 44: In Israel, Combating Food Waste and Elevating Food Justice
EAT — formerly known as Pesia’s Kitchen — is an Israeli non profit and Good People Fund grantee — combating food waste while elevating food justice for under-resourced populations and communities.
EAT Co-Founder and President Gideon Ben Ami and EAT Executive Director Yoni Ben Ami are a father and son team inspired to make impact by Gideon’s late grandmother, Pesia. They speak with GPF Executive Director and Good People Talk host Naomi Eisenberger.
Episode 43: Practicing English … and Finding Hope and Friendships
In underserved communities in Israel, English proficiency can mean the difference between economic and social success, and stagnation. English B’Yachad — English Together — is a Good People Fund grantee making online pairings between Israeli young adults and North American volunteers to advance English language skills, create positive futures … and form friendships in the process. Founder Marla Gamoran describes the program’s remarkable trajectory and impact with GPF Exec. Dir. Naomi Eisenberger.
Grantee Program(s) Featured in This Episode:
English B’Yachad*(English Together)-Skilled Volunteers for Israel
Episode 42: Uplifting Bedouin Children and Families in Israel
In Israel’s Negev, the Bedouin community is mired in a generational cycle of economic and educational stagnation. Al-Baqour — a Good People Fund grantee — is using innovative approaches to early childhood education and family empowerment to break it … while respecting the traditional groundings of the community. GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger speaks with Shlomit Somech-Lehmann, CEO of Al-Baqour, and Dr. Foad El Sana, its executive director.
Episode 41: After a Tragic Loss, Fighting the Fentanyl Epidemic
Eli Weinstock was a college student in 2021, when he died from unintentional exposure to Fentanyl. Dr. Beth Weinstock, Eli’s mother, and Olivia Weinstock, his sister, began BirdieLight — a Good People Fund grantee organization — to educate youth about Fentanyl and its lethality, and to save lives and honor Eli’s memory. They speak with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger.
Episode 40: Guiding Families Through Pediatric Cancer
As founder of MyChild’sCancer — a GPF grantee — Oded Grinstein gives parents of children with cancer the medical knowledge and social support they need to be strong advocates for effective treatments and positive outcomes. The journey began when Oded’s infant daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that she effectively beat back. Oded speaks with GPF Co-Founder and Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger.
Episode 39: Supporting Survivors of Sexual Abuse
In Israel, Shana Aaronson is the CEO of Magen for Jewish Communities, a GPF grantee organization addressing sexual abuse and exploitation in the Orthodox Jewish community. Under her leadership, the organization is making huge impact by helping and supporting survivors, raising awareness and educating in the community and beyond, and advocating for survivors in investigatory and legal channels.
Grantee Program(s) Featured in This Episode:
Magen for Jewish Communities
Episode 38: Storytelling as the Great Connector
The art of deriving and telling life stories can be the great connector — empowering individuals on the edges of society, bridging divides in communities, and advancing social justice. Cara Solomon is a former journalist establishing and practicing this approach as Founder and Executive Director of Everyday Boston, a GPF grantee. She describes the impact she seeks and is making, here in conversation with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger.
