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 this evolving reality. The three social visionaries speak with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger about what they are seeing, how they are pivoting … and why we all must pay attention.

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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 Fund Associate Executive Director Julie Fisher speaks to Yurani about her trajectory as a Latina in the United States, the vision she established for Women Palante, and its significant, growing impact elevating Latina women leaders.

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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 changed there.

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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 organization’s origins, and its growing and critical impact.

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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 the young people … to bring them the light for tomorrow,” Jamal tells GPF Associate Director Julie Fisher in this episode revealing how vision and passion leads to impact.

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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.

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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, and the remarkable and growing impact of the organization she leads.

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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 with GPF Executive Director Naomi Eisenberger about the imperative to address our individual and collective trauma, and the primacy of self-healing and community in the process.

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

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— For more information about Rabbi Igal Harmelin, visit www.igalharmelin.com

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