Mike Medicoff: Helping the Environment One Toothpaste Tube at a Time
When the topic of environmental pollution comes up, used toothpaste tubes generally…
Andrew Levy: Realtor Pays School Lunch Debts So Students Can Have Hot Meals
Andrew Levy, a realtor in South Florida, recently paid off the school lunch debts of more than 400 students in nine schools in the town of Jupiter. Without his contribution of nearly $1,000, those youngsters would only receive cold sandwiches instead of nutritious hot meals. Levy plans to make this an ongoing effort. Quotes:…
Ady Barkan: Progressive Activist with ALS Who Founded the Be a Hero PAC
Ady Barkan, 35, has been called “the most powerful activist in America.” In 2016, he was diagnosed with the debilitating and ultimately fatal disease ALS. Since then he’s dedicated himself to fighting for progressive healthcare and other causes. Barkan founded the Be a Hero PAC and helped organize the Center for Popular Democracy. Sadly, his…
Joel Berg: Leading Advocate for Ending Hunger in America
Joel Berg, CEO of the organization Hunger Free America, is “a nationally recognized leader and media spokesman in the fields of domestic hunger, food security, obesity, poverty, food-related economic development, national service, and volunteerism.” Berg is author of the books All You Can Eat: How Hungry Is America? and America We Need to Talk: A…
Yaron Schwarcz: How We Can Create a World Without ‘Houselessness’
Israeli serial entrepreneur Yaron Schwarcz believes 3-D printing and robotic construction…
Susan Schwartz: Providing Equine Therapy to Help Repair Damaged Lives
In 1981, Susan Schwartz co-founded Equest, a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with diverse needs, by partnering with horses to bring hope and healing through equine-assisted activities and therapies.” Today, Equest helps more than 2,000 clients every year. Quote: “We’ve had people come through…
Pittsburgh’s Jews Reciprocate for Muslim Outpouring of Caring and Generosity
In October 2018, the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh suffered a horrific antisemitic attack that left 11 worshipers dead and many others injured (including the rabbi). In the wake of that assault, the Muslim community in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area responded magnificently with concern and financial support. A fund the community set up…
Ben Glass: Helping to Repair the World, One Wind-Turbine Balloon at a Time
Ben Glass, 34, is the co-founder, CEO and CTO of Altaeros Energies, a Boston-based, cutting-edge company developing ways to generate clean, sustainable energy and bring the Internet to people without connectivity. The premier project of Altaeros is the BAT, a wind turbine housed in a huge, doughnut-shaped, helium-filled balloon. The company is also developing The…
Florence Phillips: At Age 87, She Was Named a CNN Hero of the Year for 2018
Tikkun olam is Hebrew for “repairing the world” and is a central principle of Judaism. Florence Phillips was born 87 years ago in New York, to parents who fled the Nazis. She experienced first-hand the difficulties her mother and father faced because they didn’t know the English language. Today, nearly nine decades later, her…
Peter Shankman: Using Frequent-Flier Miles to Help Repair the World
Tikkun olam is Hebrew for “repairing the world” and is a central principle of Judaism. Peter Shankman is a 46-year-old entrepreneur, author and sought-after lecturer. Also, a wizard of sorts: He magically transforms airline frequent-flier miles into a vehicle for tikkun olam (repairing the world). For the past five years, Shankman has donated his…
To learn about these and many more AmazingJews, watch a compilation put together by JewOfTheWeek.net in 2015 and posted on YouTube.