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 Director Naomi Eisenberger spoke with two GPF grantees who were there — Erin Stieglitz of Bagel Rescue in Atlanta and Dr. Rutie Pilz-Burstein of Sport – Bridge to Education in Israel — discussing their takeaways and the value of this gathering of Good People.

— For more information on the (un)conference and The Good People Fund, visit goodpeoplefund.org

— Read The Good People Fund 2024 Journal of Good for stories of inspiration, hope and impact:

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 — a Good People Fund grantee — is a seed planted to grow personal and collective power and change lives and communities.

— “Stories of Hope” is a special series of Good People Talk, where the art of audio storytelling brings the impact of our Good People Fund grantees into bold relief and movement.

— Read The Good People Fund 2024 Journal of Good for more stories of inspiration, hope and impact:

— Thank you to our narration team: Jordan Rich of Chart Productions, Itay Peled, Daniella Seltzer, Shoshi Margolin

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 Fund grantee advocating for rights and services for the trans community. “Here we are your family … we will support and be here for you as long as you want or need us. I didn’t have this, and I wish I did.”

— “Stories of Hope” is a special series of Good People Talk, where the art of audio storytelling brings the impact of our Good People Fund grantees into bold relief and movement.

— Read The Good People Fund 2024 Journal of Good for more stories of inspiration, hope and impact:

— Thank you to our narration team: Jamie Allen Black, Linor Abergel, Shoshi Margolin

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, parents and educators.

— “Stories of Hope” is a special series of Good People Talk, where the art of audio storytelling brings the impact of our Good People Fund grantees into bold relief and movement.

— Read The Good People Fund 2024 Journal of Good for more stories of inspiration, hope and impact:

— Thank you to our narration team: Jamie Allen Black, Naomi Eisenberger, Julie Fisher, Shira Shapiro

At an oasis of calm and healing called Ruca’s Farm — a Good People Fund grantee — IDF veterans like Gideon are finding relief from trauma and a path toward light. Here, social visionary Nir Lahav, who grew up on a kibbutz in northern Israel, is combining his own love for the land with a deep commitment to the welfare of Israel’s veterans, giving them space for needed healing and growth.

>”Stories of Hope” is a special series of Good People Talk, where the art of audio storytelling brings the impact of our Good People Fund grantees into bold relief and movement.

>Read The Good People Fund 2024 Journal of Good for more stories of inspiration, hope and impact:

>Thank you to our narration team: Jordan Rich of Chart Productions, Nir Lahav, and Gideon Boaz

Samara, incarcerated and suffering from advanced lymphoma, received a compassionate release from prison, a move that arguably saved her life due to the intervention of Medical Justice Alliance — a Good People Fund grantee. MJA mobilizes volunteer clinicians as expert medical witnesses for advocates seeking care or outright release for clients facing often life-threatening illnesses, says Dr. Mark Fenig, MJA Founder and Executive Director.

>”Stories of Hope” is a special series of Good People Talk, where the art of audio storytelling brings the impact of our Good People Fund grantees into bold relief and movement.

>Read The Good People Fund 2024 Journal of Good for more stories of inspiration, hope and impact:

>Thank you to our narration team: Jordan Rich of Chart Productions, Naomi Eisenberger, and Glenn Rosenkrantz

Jereme is a Black pastor and salvage company manager. Aaron is a white, Orthodox Jewish human resources executive. A friendship seems unlikely … but a tight one formed from their participation in Rekindle — a Good People Fund grantee joining members of the Black and Jewish communities to rebuild their historic relationship and accelerate positive change. Their connection through Rekindle evolved into a collaboration establishing a satellite GED program in Jereme’s church. “Zero chance they’d have ever met if not for Rekindle,” says Matt Fieldman, Rekindle Co-Founder.

>”Stories of Hope” is a special series of Good People Talk, where the art of audio storytelling brings the impact of our Good People Fund grantees into bold relief and movement.

>Read The Good People Fund 2024 Journal of Good for more stories of inspiration, hope and impact:

>Thank you to our narration team: Jordan Rich of Chart Productions, Matt Fieldman, and Glenn Rosenkrantz

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.

The Good People Fund:

The Good People Fund 2023 Journal of Good:

Shari Mendes is a breast cancer survivor — who during her journey of treatment and recovery, met patients facing severe financial struggle exacerbated by loss of work and other factors. Responding, she founded Israel Lemonade Fund — a Good People Fund grantee — to help breast cancer patients in financial crisis, offering one-time grants covering basic living costs and alleviating distress. Marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, she speaks with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger.

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Good People Fund (un)conference keynote speaker Ruth Messinger is a prominent social change advocate, and former President and current Global Ambassador of the American Jewish World Service. In this special pre-(un)conference episode, Ruth speaks about the Jewish and moral imperative to repair the world … the challenges facing visionary leaders … and what she’s planning to impart in her keynote address at the (un)conference in November in New York City.

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