The Do Good Podcast

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In this deeply moving episode, we are joined by Rachel Feldman from Montpellier, Vermont, an American whose connection to Israel spans decades and whose life was irrevocably changed by October 7.

Rachel had previously lived and worked in Israel as part of the Israel Teaching Fellows programme, supporting underperforming schools and building lasting relationships with her students. One of those pupils, Ronnie, later became a firefighter. On October 7, while attending the Nova music festival, Ronnie was murdered by Hamas after attempting to save his friends. When Rachel learned of his death, something shifted forever. Returning to Israel was no longer a question. It became a certainty.

Rachel took a three month leave of absence from her senior governmental role in Vermont and traveled to Israel. She arrived as part of a delegation and spent her first days visiting the massacre sites, bearing witness to the devastation and loss. Upon returning to the United States, her advocacy for Israel led to her role being changed and her voice effectively muted. Once Chief of Staff to the Governor, she was instructed not to speak publicly about Israel.

Within weeks, Rachel made the decision to return. This time she went back independently, determined to strengthen the land and people she loved. Basing herself in Jaffa, she continued to advocate for Israel openly through social media, while also giving television and radio interviews to US outlets directly from Israel. Alongside her advocacy, investigative journalism  she volunteered wherever she was needed, baking challahs, supporting soldiers through Sar-El, and offering practical help on the ground during a time of national trauma.

This is a powerful conversation about grief, moral courage, and choosing action over silence. Listen to Rachel Feldman’s extraordinary story of volunteering and advocacy as she strives to do good while the world around her is in chaos.

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Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood

Helping Hands on the Farm — Shabbat Otef Farming in Israel

Since the outbreak of war, communities across Israel have rallied to support each other in new and meaningful ways. One of these grassroots responses is ShabbatOtefFarming.com, an initiative that connects volunteers with local farmers in need of extra help. Elisheva Picker created the website which functions as a hub where volunteers from all backgrounds and ages sign up to work alongside farmers on agricultural tasks such as weeding, harvesting and general farm support. 

What makes this initiative especially unique is its weekly rhythm around Shabbat. Volunteers often organize their efforts on Saturdays, bringing people together to lend a hand on farms in the Otef region and beyond, with transportation provided thanks to partnerships with organisations like Leket Israel. 

Over time, the group has grown to include hundreds of members dedicated to building community resilience and sustaining Israel’s agricultural life even in challenging times. For many participants, it’s not just agricultural work,  it’s coming together, learning from one another, and supporting farmers whose labour feeds both land and spirit.  Enjoy this wonderful episode with Elisheva sharing her story and how we can help the farmers in the Otef on a shabbat. 

Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood

In this episode, we speak with Aaliyah Fastman, co-founder of Tel Aviv–based cooking studio Citrus & Salt, about how a small, community-driven food business was suddenly transformed by the events of October 7. 

Aaliyah shares the deeply personal story of how Citrus & Salt pivoted from hosting cooking classes and cultural food experiences to becoming Citizen’s Kitchen—a grassroots initiative dedicated to feeding soldiers, displaced families, and others impacted by the war. 

What began as a few emergency meals quickly grew into a large-scale operation powered by volunteers, compassion, and the belief that food can be a form of care, resistance, and connection in times of crisis. 

This conversation explores how community rises in moments of devastation—and how something as simple as a home-cooked meal can become a lifeline. Take a listen and subscribe so you dont miss an episode 

Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood

Today we’re spotlighting Lives of Others, a remarkable dog rescue charity in Ramat Gan, Israel run by Tali Abadi and a dedicated team committed to transforming the lives of abandoned and mistreated dogs. This isn’t a typical shelter — it’s a network of home-style sanctuaries where dogs are rehabilitated with patience, love, and community support.

One of their main sanctuaries, known as The Magic House, shelters up to 60 dogs and serves as a community-center where local volunteers walk dogs, children learn about animal welfare, and trainers help prepare dogs for their forever homes. The charity intentionally avoids euthanasia and excessive confinement, focusing instead on dignity and care.

In usual years, Lives of Others finds loving families for around 250 dogs. But more recently, they’ve faced a drop in both adoptions and donations, even as abandonment rates climb. These challenges highlight how critical community support is right now.

The charity also has deep emotional ties to personal stories — like that of a young Israeli soldier whose love of dogs inspired the creation of The Magic House in his memory after he fell in battle on October 7.

Whether through adoption, fostering, walking dogs, or simply sharing their story, there are many ways we can help Lives of Others continue their life-saving mission.

Want to help? Walk a dog, foster, or consider adopting — and please spread the word! 💙

#Animals #AdoptDontShop #LivesOfOthers

Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood

In the aftermath of October 7, as Israel faced one of the most challenging moments in its history, Chaim Rutenberg helped create a powerful grassroots initiative: Beef Up Our Boys. What started as a simple idea getting high-protein food to soldiers on the front lines - quickly became a movement of care, resilience, and action.

Beef Up Our Boys is an Israeli-led startup and volunteer effort dedicated to supplying IDF soldiers with nutritious, kosher, high-protein meat snacks like beef jerky and biltong. These aren’t just treats - they’re practical fuel for soldiers operating under intense physical and emotional strain, often in conditions where proper meals aren’t guaranteed.

But this story is about more than food.

It’s about how civilians turned compassion into logistics. How communities mobilised overnight. How a small idea scaled rapidly to meet a national need. And how something as simple as a packet of jerky became a symbol of solidarity, morale, and unwavering support for those protecting the country.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Beef Up Our Boys began in the days after October 7
• The real needs of soldiers on the ground and how nutrition plays a role in resilience
• The power of grassroots action in times of crisis
• Why this initiative represents the best of Israeli innovation: fast, human-centred, and impact-driven

This is a story of ingenuity under pressure, of people refusing to stand still in the face of tragedy, and of how meaningful support doesn’t always come in grand gestures -  sometimes it comes in a small package that says: you are not alone.

Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood

Season 2 kicks off with an absolute inspiration.

In Episode 1, we’re joined by Yocheved Rutenberg, CEO and founder of the Sword of Iron group, who shares her powerful journey of commitment to the people and land of Israel.

Yocheved gives us an inside look at what Sword of Iron is planning for 2026, how the community has grown to over 47,000 volunteers worldwide, and how the organisation is now running Birthright volunteer tours—creating even more opportunities for people of all ages to come to Israel and make a difference.

She also opens up about her personal life, sharing exciting news about her engagement and upcoming marriage, and how that joy fuels her drive to keep working harder every day.

There’s no better way to launch Season 2 than with this incredible woman who has inspired tens of thousands to support Israel through action and heart.

Listen, download, and subscribe so you never miss an episode — and don’t forget to leave us a review to help spread the word. We’re so excited to welcome you into Season 2 with this unforgettable conversation.

Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood

As we close out Season One of The Do Good Podcast, Brad takes a moment to reflect with gratitude on all of the inspiring stories shared so far. In this special episode, he shares the studio with Tikva—a true hero dog who survived being shot on October 07 and was rescued from the streets of the Negev. While Tikva can’t tell her story herself, the lessons she brings us—resilience, hope, and healing—are powerful reminders to carry forward. Her story speaks volumes. She carries in her spirit a message of survival, healing, and the kind of hope we all need in difficult times. Her name, Tikva, means hope—and that is exactly what she offers us as we look ahead.

As we wrap up this first chapter of our podcast this is a chance to thank you for being part of our community—we’ll see you in Season Two. So Happy New Year everyone and here’s to carrying Tikva’s hope into tomorrow—and to all that’s to come in Season Two.

Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood

In this moving episode, we welcome Vicki Kaplan from Melbourne, whose life was transformed after October 7. Deeply connected to Israel, Vicki felt called to act — traveling back and forth to volunteer on the ground with organizations like Leket, Tachlit, Meir Panim, J17 Vegan Food Van, and of course, Sar-El. 

Her service blossomed into storytelling as she turned filmmaker, creating the powerful documentary Lend a Hand, Lift a Nation, which has already reached nearly 2,000 viewers on YouTube. From hands-on volunteering to advocacy back home in Australia, Vicki embodies the strength and spirit of a true lioness warrior. Join us for our end of season one episode and an inspiring conversation about resilience, passion, and the many ways one woman has lifted up Israel through both action and art.

Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood

In this moving episode, we sit down with Shoshana from New Jersey, whose life took a powerful turn after the events of October 7. Compelled to act, she traveled to Israel alone, and soon returned with her family and two sons to continue volunteering across the country.

From Chamals to BBQs for soldiers, from picking fruit on farms to feeding troops at Shuva, Shoshana gave her all—every single day. Guided by the Sword of Iron Facebook page, she found her way into the heart of Israel’s volunteer efforts and never looked back.

But her mission didn’t stop at the border. Back home in New Jersey, she became a fierce advocate for Bar Kuperstein, a hostage still held as we go to air—organizing community talks and sharing his story to keep his name and face alive.

This episode is a testament to the unstoppable power of compassion, action, and soul. Shoshana’s passion is contagious, and her journey is one that will leave you deeply inspired.

Listen now—and don’t forget to subscribe for more stories of courage and kindness.

Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD

Let us know what you think of each episode when you have had a listen #dogood

In this deeply moving episode, we hear from Naomi Feinmesser, who made Aliyah from North London 14 years ago with a young family. Now living in Israel, Naomi shares the incredible story of how she and her friend Illana launched a volunteer initiative dedicated to supporting the wives of IDF soldiers—women holding their families together while their partners are on the front lines.

Driven by compassion and determination, Naomi and her team make sure no woman is left unsupported. Whether it’s meals, Shabbat candles, emotional comfort, or simply a listening ear, every detail is handled with love and care. Her work is a shining example of what it means to uplift a community in times of crisis.

Naomi's story is one of quiet heroism and relentless kindness—a reminder that doing good, in even the smallest ways, can change lives.

Listen in and be inspired to act, give, and care—just like Naomi. Don’t forget to subscribe.

Don't forget to leave a review and tell us what you think :) #DOGOOD