Transitions - stuff I'm taking (2)

Four more things I'm taking with me when I leave the Joint. Apart from the whole existential feeling of having helped save the world, etc. The third one,especially, seemed resonant today.


1. A coto (supermarket) card from Argentina. When I came to the Joint from the LA Federation all we talked about were food packages. The packages were critical and life-saving. But the maximum number of items we could give you in a package was 18. And it was really basic stuff, for the most part: oil, pasta, kasha, that kind of thing. Not luxuries. So the smart card system came into being ... in Argentina.

We were facing a situation in the winter of 2001-2002 in which tens of thousands of Argentinian Jews were suddenly thrust into poverty and dependent on the Joint for food. Many were the 'new poor' – men and women lining up for food packages at Jewish institutions. People who sometimes didn't "know" what it meant to be poor. 36,000 clients receiving food from the Joint. Because of our Jewish federations and donors.

We were receiving reports of anti-Semitic attacks, of Jews being beaten up and attacked for their packages. It turned out that these reports weren't true. But they taught us something very interesting. That the food packages carry a price - and not just a logistic price; a price for overhead and our shipping and handling. They taught us that there's a price for dignity and self-respect.

These "new Poor" Jews didn't like that price. To line up and ask for food can take away your self-respect. Which is why rumors – false rumors – were spread about anti-Semitic attacks, because so many people there hated the food package system. So the food card system - the 'coto' card - began. And as it spread, you could see amazing side effects .... people had more choice, more dignity. 

These cards aren't about food. They're about hope. 

2. An award from the Growing Hearts of Africa. Because three young woman can save lives and change the world .... and it's been a pleasure and privilege to partner with them.

3. A Chibuki - huggy puppy - trauma therapy doll. Ok, three. Because  you can't get a six-year old kid in Sderot to explain his or her Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. But you can give these kids a huggy puppy with awesome velcro arms, and the kids can talk to the dolls, and teach them a marching song to get to the bomb shelter fast ... and get stronger. And this is more necessary now than we should have hoped.


4. A copy of "Ayalet Metayelet" - which is a classic children's book I bought for my kids some years ago. But I keep it now because I see it all the time when I go to PACT (Parents and Children Together) kindergartens in Israel. The difference is ... my kids have hundreds of books. And for some of the Ethiopian-Israeli kids I've visited this is one of the only books they'll have at home. If you come from a family where your parents are illiterate, in Hebrew and Amharic, then you'll never have enough books at home. You'll have a harder time starting first grade than other kids. You'll stand a worse chance of getting through school reading and writing at a grade-appropriate level. So the book reminds me of what the challenge is, and how much we've achieved with this program.

Early Childhood

The Farash Foundation continues its inspiring Strategic Partnership mission in Israel. Dr. Rami Sulimani, Director of JDC-Israel’s Ashalim (Youth Programs) Department, gave a riveting and moving presentation on the challenges of youth programs and Israel’s future.

“My vision,” he explains, “is to give every child an equal chance.”

It’s easy to say, but a lot more difficult to actually implement. Rami and his team spend over a year just on preparing the ground for an individual program.

Because if you want to make real, meaningful change in the lives of Israel’s children, you have to start at a very early age.

That’s how JDC-Israel started the PACT (Parents And Children Together) working with the Ethiopian-Israeli community, and the ECHAD (Early Childhood Achievement and Development) program for Arab-Israelis. Both programs emphasize early-childhood enrichment and educational support, while working with parents and the family environment. As each program becomes strong enough in its funding and structure, JDC phases out and lets local NGOs and partners run the programs by themselves.

PACT and ECHAD allowed us to form the bases for a massive cooperation and partnership with the Government of Israel called “New Beginnings,” an early childhood initiative in over a hundred locations in Israel, impacting the lives of tens of thousands of children. Every day.

Rami’s vision, the commitment of JDC-Israel, and the partnership with our funders and supporters, allows us to have collective, system-wide impact, helping tens of thousands of Israel’s children and youth on a daily basis.