Kosher Giving

19/12/2023

When the started, אפי אספרגר ישראל EFI realized that individuals with were going to need extra assistance dealing with the uncertainty and stress of the war. They knew they'd need to provide extra support for IDF soldiers with Asperger's and open a dedicated hotline for civilians with Asperger's on the home front.
It was a priviledge learning from ניר מכלוף and מור אלון how they did it, and how they help individuals on a daily basis with Asperger's and high functioning integrate into society! It was inspiring to hear Daniella's and Sharon's stories!

To read more: https://koshergiving.com/2023/12/19/a-spectrum-of-support-how-efi-empowers-individuals-with-aspergers-in-times-of-peace-and-war/

h/t to איגוד העמותות בישראל for making the introduction!

Explore how EFI transforms lives of those with Asperger's Syndrome and high-functioning autism in Israel.

13/12/2023

Kosher Giving Means Strategic, Empathetic Philanthropy That Fosters Resilience And Independence For The Over Time. This Offers Lessons In Sustainable, Adaptive Giving For Donors Seeking To Make A Long-Lasting Difference In Communities Facing Ongoing Challenges. In This Article, We Explore The Sha’ar HaNegev Psychological Service Center And The Israel Guide Dog Center's Transformative Impact.



To read more:

Kosher Giving means strategic, empathetic philanthropy that fosters resilience and independence for the over time. This offers lessons in sustainable, adaptive giving for donors seeking to make a long-lasting difference in communities facing ongoing challenges. In this article, we explore the Sha’...

12/12/2023

A fundamental and essential element of Kosher Giving is matching needs and resources. The first of today’s two Hanukkah Holiday Highlights is an insight about matching resources with needs that we draw from our encounter with the Eliav community. The second Hanukkah Highlight is an insight about innovative funding models that adapt to the needs at hand, a lesson demonstrated by the Passion For A Purpose Foundation.



To read more:

A fundamental and essential element of Kosher Giving is matching needs and resources. Resources need to discover the needs or to adapt.

11/12/2023

Walking through the challenges and opportunities of giving at this critical time can be disorienting. When pivots are an expression of essential inner meaning, they demonstrate an intentional change in purpose. When pivots are more circumstantial, they speak to the flexibility of donors and operators, but they do not indicate a fundamental shift, neither in core values nor in purpose.


To read more:

When pivots are an expression of essential inner meaning, they are a change in purpose. When pivots are circumstantial, they speak to flexibility of donors

10/12/2023

KosherGiving.com is celebrating the Hanukkah holiday by igniting lights of insight for the giving community. By looking back at some of the Iron Swords War daily causes,we highlight specific lessons learned. These highlights and insights better inform funders for better giving.



To read more:
https://koshergiving.com/2023/12/10/two-kosher-giving-hanukkah-highlights-efficiency-for-outcomes-and-adaptation/

Leket Israel & Hitech4iisrael: Two Kosher Giving Hanukkah Highlights: Efficiency for Outcomes and Adaptation

07/12/2023

According to Guy, Etgarim is rooted in modern rehabilitative psychology. Etgarim's approach focuses on abilities, not disabilities. This perspective not only aids physical development but also nurtures emotional and social connections, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Challenge | אתגרים


To read more about Etgarim:

Etgarim aids physical development and nurtures emotional and social connections, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

06/12/2023

Melissa understands that the Jewish people and their supporters must focus on the future. As the war drags on, incoming donations are quickly declining. A growing number of projects are competing for a shrinking pot of funding. Melissa and the PFAP Foundation are helping to ensure that there will be funding for these important causes tomorrow, and the day after that.

Melissa Jane Kronfeld



To read more about the PFAP Foundation:

The Foundation is volunteering its expertise and resources to raise these funds to help support all the causes under the Iron Israel umbrella.

05/12/2023

In 2012, after a decade of service, Menachem handed over the reins of pizzaIDF to his son, Elisha. An army veteran, Elisha understood that many of the pizzas sent by pizzaIDF ended up in army headquarters, and not with the soldiers serving in the field. Elisha was determined to make sure that the pizzas arrived at their intended destinations, bringing encouragement to the soldiers in need of warm food and a pick-me-up.


To read more about pizzaIDF:

pizzaIDF supplies' pizza and other treats to IDF soldiers

04/12/2023

"Engineers Without Borders - Israel" aims to decrease the strain on both the healthcare and community-based support systems, as well as to facilitate a smooth homecoming for long-term rehabilitation patients. EWB-Israel’s work focuses on the initial adaptation and accessibility of patients' homes and immediate surroundings based on their individual needs.


To read more about "Engineers Without Borders-Israel":

Engineers Without Borders Israel Rehabilitating the IDF’s Wounded on the Homefront

03/12/2023

The current war has resulted in increased suicidal contemplation and deepening depression for those already suffering from these conditions. An observant Jew with mental health challenges finds him or herself alone and often in panic when seeking mental health informed answers from religious law authorities on how to handle this existential dissonance.

D'vorah Klein Yoni Rosensweig


To read more about Maaglei Nefesh:

Maaglei Nefesh- Removing the Stigma and Creating Understanding

30/11/2023

In times of war, the battles fought are not only on the frontlines but also within the homes and hearts of those left waiting. This is where "Smiles For The Kids" steps in.


To read more about Smiles for the Kids:

Smiles For The Kids supports the home front by supporting the families of those serving in the army,

29/11/2023

Ronnie and her team have since upped their rounds to three times a week. The Street Medicine teams are the only ones offering assistance on the streets. Having lost much of their access to food and showers, the people were hungry and at greater risk of infection. So the team continues to bring an increasing amount of food, liquids, hygiene products, and antibiotics.

https://www.facebook.com/street.medicineIL


To read more about Street Medicine TLV:

Street Medicine Tel Aviv provides medical help for people living on the street.

28/11/2023

We launched our web platform two weeks into the Iron Swords War, and we look forward to the release of the ‘Kosher Giving’ guidebook by January 1, 2024. The process of serving the donor community has been rewarding, knowing that better giving means more effective and purposeful impact. By supporting Kosher Giving your returns-on-philanthropic-investment include better donations, better served beneficiaries and a better giving environment for all.


To read more about Kosher Giving :

By supporting Kosher Giving your returns-on-philanthropic-investment include better donations, better served beneficiaries and a better giving environment.

27/11/2023

Israel365’s concept is revolutionary yet simple: keep the land and spirit of Israel in the hearts and minds of people all year round. According to Rabbi Weisz, during the Iron Swords war the organization was able to quickly pivot to help assist in the release of Israel’s 240 captives, mostly civilians kidnapped by Hamas on October 7.



To read more about Israel365:

During the Iron Swords war the organization was able to quickly pivot to help assist in the release of Israel’s 240 captives, mostly civilians kidnapped by Hamas on October 7.

26/11/2023

Robbie Sassoon, director of Crossroads Jerusalem, says that Crossroads initially focused on street outreach, but has since evolved into a clinical establishment, with offices located centrally, across the way from the ‘crack square’. This proximity to their community allows them to maintain a direct and impactful connection with the youths they serve through outpatient treatments.

Robbie Sassoon


To read more about Crossroads Jerusalem:

Crossroads Jerusalem is an outreach and clinical therapy center for Anglo at-risk-youth.

23/11/2023

Joseph Gitler of Leket Israel is looking towards the near future. "Civil society has been incredible. But at a certain point the motivated individual runs out of money for donations or has to return to work or school. When that happens, the well established organizations need to step in. We understand that when that day comes we’ll need to fill that void.”


Leket Israel
Joe Gitler

To read more about Leket Israel:

Leket is raising funds to provide meals financial support and packages for evacuated families and support farms during Hamas Israel War

22/11/2023

Meet Tsour Shriqui, General Manager of Dream Doctors, who describes how smiling for on-duty medical clowns is part of the job description. Yet, in the current circumstances, it is very difficult. The personal nature and scale of the situation is something new. For example, one medical clown lives in Nir Oz, lost half his kibbutz and is currently living at a hotel in Eilat.

Dream Doctors transcends traditional clowning, integrating professional actors trained in medical clowning into healthcare and disaster response teams. This innovative approach provides crucial emotional support, aiding in trauma recovery and enhancing medical care, and now aiding displaced children.



https://www.facebook.com/DreamDoctors.org.il

To read about Dream Doctors:

Dream Doctors transcends traditional clowning, integrating professional actors trained in medical clowning into healthcare and disaster response teams.

21/11/2023

Despite the challenges, Nevo Dor and Hashomer HaChadash remain resolute in their mission. Their primary objective is clear: to rescue farmers, salvage their farms, and secure the nation's food supply. But their aspirations go beyond survival—they aim to inspire a new generation deeply connected to agriculture and the land.


https://www.facebook.com/shomerisrael
https://www.facebook.com/yoel.zilberman

Hashomer Hachadash rescues farmers, salvages their farms, and secures the nation's food supply

20/11/2023

Chomi and her volunteers design and set up pop-up shops for evacuated women. They invite the women to choose new clothes, free of charge, each according to their personal needs and tastes. Chomi’s goal is to give every evacuated woman a shopping experience, restoring her dignity and reminding her of her value.

Chomi Shklar Chomi boutique

Chomi and her volunteers design and set up pop-up shops for evacuated women. They invite the women to choose new clothes, free of charge, each according to their personal needs and tastes. Chomi’s goal is to give every evacuated woman a shopping experience, restoring her dignity and reminding her ...

19/11/2023

Stuart Schrader describes how Lema'an Achai exists to offer 'smart chessed' to families struggling with economic harship. The organization responded to the October 7th crisis by offering assistance to IDF soldiers, their families, and Israelis who have been displaced by the war. Lema’an Achai staff is working hard to offer logistical, financial, and emotional support to families who have been forced to leave their homes in dangerous areas of the country.

Lema’an Achai

Helping families and soldiers who are experiencing poverty or difficultly.

16/11/2023

Gesher's mission is to lead the effort to build a strong, cohesive, unified future in Israel using dialogue, interaction and leadership. Gesher had to pivot it's operations due to the war. This pivot was not an intensly heavy lift thanks to the Gesher staff and facilitators being uniquely situated to support people in Israel and overseas. Whether it’s Israeli victims of terror talking to European governments, or facilitators creating pockets of safety and stability for children in turbulent times, Gesher’s special sauce is their ability to bring people together, to build community, and establish understanding.

https://koshergiving.com/2023/11/16/building-bridges-at-home-and-abroad-gesher-pivots-operations-in-time-of-war/

JJ Sussman Ilan Geal Dor

Gesher is committed to building bridges and supporting the youth through informal education during these difficult times.

15/11/2023

Keren Reiner Noy is a doctor of psychology who specializes in mindfulness at the Sha'ar Hanegev Psychological Center. Keren wears two hats, she is both a displaced resident of Kibbutz Zikim coping with tragedy and a seasoned therapist. In the midst of the horrific event of October 7, one constant remains: the need for immediate psychological support. Keren emphasizes, "The magnitude of the emotional and psychological trauma cannot be overstated. It's a situation that calls for our community to come together like never before."

Sha’ar HaNegev Psychological Services Center supporting the treatment of trauma victims from the October 7 massacre

14/11/2023

Rabbi Erez Karlenstein, CEO of "Living with Dignity", has been involved in feeding vulnerable populations for over 30 years and he is not going to let the war slow down the pace. “We want to reach every elderly person and Holocaust survivor who is in need of food and whose condition doesn’t allow them to care for their own basic needs. Even when it means entering regions of heightened danger, our team continues to commit itself to the welfare of those who need our support.”
https://koshergiving.com/2023/11/14/redefining-meals-on-wheels-living-with-dignity-expands-operation-to-support-elderly-residents-under-fire/

13/11/2023

According to Dennis Allon, the war's aftermath will undoubtably create a surge in demand for guide dogs from soldiers and civilians alike. The Israel Guide Dog Center's reach spans a range of services: from guide dogs for the blind and service dogs for those with PTSD, to companion dogs for children with special needs and those living in the Gaza Envelope and northern communities. These programs highlight the IGDC's multifaceted approach to providing support where it's most needed

Dennis Allon Dov Lipman

The center's guide dogs for the blind, service dogs for PTSD, companion dogs for children with special needs and those living in the Gaza Envelope communities

09/11/2023

Today we feature Israel Heart2Heart and the work that's being done to support veterans.

Shmil Atlas shares how his journey led him to work round the clock to support Israel's soldiers who suffer from the chronic condition of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder . And now, with the war raging, Israel Heart2Heart is poised to grow their capacity to serve even more. They understand that the long term work only begins after the war ends.



Ream more here:

Israel Heart2Heart goal is to help Israeli Defense Forces veterans who suffer from PTSD to cope with difficulties and challenges they face every day.

08/11/2023

Meet Dr. Ilana Kwartin - activist, , CEO, mother of four and defender of her southern Israel community.

Born in Moscow to refusnik parents, Kwartin made aliyah in 1987. A deeply-committed Zionist, she was thrilled to be part of Eliav from the beginning. Kwartin and her husband were enthusiastic about the opportunity to build a new community in Israel.

Dr. Kwartin explained that Eliav is not getting any support from either the local or national Israeli government at this time. Eliav is in range of missiles from Gaza, and so every home is equipped with a safe room. Their community is guarded by a fence and gate, which are not enough to protect against an infiltration.

“I’ve absorbed Zionism from my mother’s milk, through our aliyah to Israel before the fall of the Iron Curtain, in my days as an emissary of Israel to the United States and in recent years through the growth of the Eliav community. Living in this region isn’t easy, but we are undeterred. We just need the means to be able to defend ourselves."

Read more and see how you can help the Eliav community on today's post by Kally Rubin Kislowicz: https://koshergiving.com/2023/11/08/self-preservation-the-eliav-community-mobilizes-to-defend-itself/

PS - special thanks to Dr. Yael Maizels for tipping us off about Ilana and her volunteer work. One righteous deed yields another.

31/10/2023

If you haven't met Aliza Naon then you don't know enough about small businesses in Israel.

Described as an "Israeli small businesses advocate by day, software implementer superwoman by night", Aliza knows the hardships and triumphs of the small business owner.

“Israelis are not buying or paying for services right now. The key is to find a way to attract clients from abroad, much like we did during the coronavirus pandemic,” she says. She believes the global community has a moral obligation to support these businesses, “We need to get these businesses online, period. If we want to preserve the fabric of this community, it’s not just a need; it’s a must.”

Aliza knows the pain of trying to make ends meet. “It took me years to find my place here. I even resorted to washing floors in my own building just to get by,” she reflects. With a Master’s in finance, Aliza was either considered overqualified or out of the market and irrelevant. Every step of her story has been a building block to her current role: providing a digital lifeline for small Israeli businesses teetering on the brink during the ongoing Iron Swords War in Israel.

Talia Blatman shares Aliza's story, from her journey to Judaism to her shepherding of other small business owners, in today's spotlight: https://koshergiving.com/2023/10/31/the-heart-and-grit-of-smallbusinessisrael-aliza-naons-vision-to-sustain-israeli-entrepreneurs-in-uncertain-times/

Quick note: this is our first feature that doesn't direct you to a donor page. SmallBusinessIsrael is about direct engagement. It's a platform where you can be most supportive not by donating but by doing business with Israelis.

Aliza Naon founds SmallBusinessIsrael to assist small businesses in Israel sell services and products online

29/10/2023

With an influx of 30,000 refugees from Israel southern towns, the vacation city of Eilat needed to respond swiftly. Discover how a group of motivated teenagers turned a vacation village into a hospitable home

Israeli teenagers mobilize to support families that fled Gaza border towns

26/10/2023

There are so many dimensions to what Israel's homefront is experiencing. One is the challenge of economic stability.

How do families who've lost so much begin to piece their finances together? Where does a tragically widowed mother turn when she wasn’t the one who handled the family finances?

Enter the Paamonim Economic Emergency Room. This initiative is built around the core principle of promoting family resilience through economic stability. Paamonim פעמונים, which assists over 12,000 families overcome financial hardships per year through coaching and economic mentorship, has opened an Economic Emergency Room to provide acute care to families that have been affected by the war. Equipped with a team of 2300 trained volunteers, Paamonim is already implementing this service for the families with the greatest needs.

Read more at the Kosher Giving website and sign up for our newsletter for more details about this opportunity.

25/10/2023

Meet Tali Tabib טלי טביב. Tali is the mother of Omer Tabib, the only fatal casualty of Operation Guardian of the Wall. Drawing strength from Omer's character, Tali founded אלומות בעומר a nonprofit dedicated to supporting IDF soldiers in need. But now, during the war, Tali and her team of volunteers have pivoted to support bereaved families.

Tali explains: “My son Omer was the only fallen Israeli soldier in Operation Guardians of the Wall. I had the entire country standing with me and supporting me. But this, this is different. These families are alone.”



Read Tali's story here: https://koshergiving.com/2023/10/25/alumotbaomer/

24/10/2023

Today's featured cause: the unimaginable story of the Nir Oz kibbutz. Heartbreaking grief, heartwarming companionship.

This project is very different for many reasons, many of which are too painful to describe. For one, we've chosen to share this story even though the specific purpose for every shekel has not yet been designated.

“I don’t have a home to return to,” Vered explains, “and I don’t know if I can bring myself to return. When we can organize ourselves we will sit down with the kibbutz CFO and community leadership. Then, we will see.”

Accountable platform for raising funds? ✔

Accountable community leadership for raising funds? ✔

Needs that significantly outweigh the scope of the fundraising campaign? ✔

Although we never recommend projects, we do indeed vet them. And under these circumstances, Nir Oz meets the terms of the platform.

Nir Oz campaign Swords of Iron War

23/10/2023

Our first daily cause is up! The story of the two sides to the same Israeli coin - technology and security - coming together through the ingenuity and commitment of social entrepreneurs who are working to bring their friends home from captivity.

“We’ve been diligently sifting through online data, extracting vital information, and collaborating with security forces to make sense of the chaos and work towards bringing our people …

19/10/2023

1. How do you partner with in this time of need?
2. Which causes are worthy and trustworthy?

KosherGiving.com is here to answer these two questions, one day at a time.

At the start of the war the Sector4 Strategy סקטור 4 אסטרטגיה team asked itself the same question that everyone else was asking: what can we do to help? By aligning their professional experience with the most pressing needs they volunteered their time and efforts to launch this new initiative. Always keeping in mind that this initiative is not for fundraisers - it's for donors.

A donation is a philanthropic investment. You want your money to make an impact where it's most needed. But in a noisy crisis-driven landscape that can be challenging.

At KosherGiving.com we roll up our sleeves to provide information and insight about worthy and trustworthy causes. We've been networking, vetting and interviewing project founders and operators so that you have the tools to make informed decisions about where and how to give.

Today is our preview. Please - take a look around the site and send us your feedback.

With sincere appreciation and determination,
The KosherGiving.com Team