A new year of initiatives and a fabulous matching grant from the Good People Fund!

This week marks the start of the academic year in India and for Gabriel Project Mumbai (GPM) it
means the start of our many development initiatives caring for the children in the slums of Mumbai.

What makes the start of the new year even more exciting is that the wonderful people at the Good People Fund have generously offered a $20,000 matching grant for the GPM 2015 Nutrition program for 1000 children living in the slums of Mumbai! So please, if you want to make ‘double’ the impact on vulnerable children in acute poverty, give generously to GPM’s nutrition program through the Good People Fund’s matching grant @ http://www.rootfunding.com/campaign/gpm-matching-grant-nutrition 

One of the 60 classes of children receiving nutritious meals every day as part of the GPM Nutrition program

Welcome Gabriel Project Mumbai–Entwine Summer fellows 2015

The newest cohort of Gabriel Project Mumbai-JDC Entwine international volunteers arrived in Mumbai and are already enthusiastically working in the slums. The group, the 13th cohort of GPM international volunteers, includes young adults from all different backgrounds – four Americans, one Canadian, one Australian and a volunteer from the UK.  After a week of orientation, in which they received targeted teacher-training, took classes in conversational Hindi and Indian culture, briefed by the Israel deputy consul in Mumbai, visited Dharavi (the largest slum in India) and toured Mumbai, the group of seven young Jewish adults were invigorated and ready to start their work. They have begun volunteering with classes of children ages 5-14 studying in the REAP classes in the slums of Mumbai.

We welcome: Alex, Maia, Hayeem, Molly, Ellie, Yael and Rena to the GPM team and wish them 2 months of meaningful teaching experiences with the children in the slums.

Alex was born in New York, lived in London until she was 9 years old and moved to Vancouver B.C. Alex spent her high school years at King David High School, participating in a variety of school sports, which demonstrated leadership and teamwork. Alex was a camp counselor at Camp Solomon Schechter where she created programs for children and cared for their everyday needs. Alex is currently attending The University of Western Ontario, where she is studying in the faculty of Health Sciences. Alex hopes to follow up her degree in health science with a nursing degree. Alex is involved in the OHM Fashion Show club, which hosts a fashion show in order to raise money for cancer research. Alex enjoys sports, cooking, exercising, and socializing. In all activities, she is involved in; Alex exhibits kindness, dedication, and teamwork.

Maia is a senior at the University of California, Los Angeles. She hopes to use her passion for writing and education to effect global change. Originally from San Diego, Maia grew up in an Argentinean and Jewish home. She is currently pursuing her M.A. in Latin American Studies and B.A. in Global Studies with a minor in English. Maia hopes to pursue a career related to education and global conflict alleviation and development. She wrote her undergraduate thesis about how diaspora tourism has transformed the relationship of Jewish and Armenian diasporas with their homelands. She is continuing her research on immigration and the global hybridization of culture. Maia also worked as an opinion columnist for UCLA's Daily Bruin and a journalism intern for the International Rescue Committee's Los Angeles.

Rena lives in New York City and is currently a teacher at Manhattan Day School. She has a BA in Jewish Education from Stern College and two Master’s Degrees; one in Jewish Education from Azrieli with and a second one in Early Childhood and Special Education from Touro College. As an active member of the Washington Heights community, she is a member of the Mount Sinai Young Leadership committee. She has a history of volunteering in nursing homes and fundraising for Israel, but her true passion is working with children. Rena enjoys baking, hanging out with her friends, and kickboxing. Rena traveled on JDC’s Entwine Insider trip to India in January 2015.

Hayeem was born and raised in Brooklyn, and is a senior at the City University of New York –

Brooklyn College studying Biology and Chemistry. He hopes to attend medical school next year. Hayeem’s Jewish roots extend back to Syria and Poland. In summer of 2012, Hayeem embarked on a medical mission to Jerusalem, where he served as a volunteer first responder with Magen David Adom, Israel’s primary emergency medical response organization. He has been involved in fundraising efforts for the American Friends of Magen David Adom and consulting with Artists 4 Israel, a group that uses art therapy to prevent post-traumatic stress disorder in war-affected children. Hayeem has worked closely with the Sephardic Bikur Holim in Brooklyn, an organization that serves needy, Sephardic immigrant Jewish families. Hayeem is involved in Israel advocacy and is currently a fellow for the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America (CAMERA).

Ellen was born in Australia and currently lives in New York City. She attends Barnard College of Columbia University, as a pre-medical student intending to study Molecular Neuroscience. Outside of school, Ellen is working towards her New York State Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification. This certification means being CPR certified, as well as trained in a vast array of emergency medical techniques. She plans on serving as an EMT on her school campus in the upcoming fall 2015. Ellen is great with children, having closely worked with them in as a care-giver as well as in an educational capacity. In her spare time, Ellen enjoys volunteering in her community at a local hospital and soup-kitchens.

Molly is a sophomore at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts studying International Development and Social Change with a concentration in Gender Studies. At school, Molly is President of J Street and is a NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts intern on campus, leading the club as the Membership Coordinator. She also works in the Worcester community with refugees from Somalia, teaching them English as a second language and citizenship classes. Some of Molly’s unique skills are theatre performance and being a certified cake decorator. 

Yael is from a small but active and Zionistic Jewish community in Liverpool, North West UK. In high school, she was a founding member of Nishnoshim, a group dedicated in providing informal Jewish education to the school. Some of the Nishnoshim activities included teacher education sessions, Chanukah/Purim plays and charity drives. In her final year of high school, Yael was chosen to be Deputy Head girl, a role that involved representing the school. Yael has participated in many youth movements, including BBYO, Bnei Akiva, FZY. At the age of 13, Yael participated in a 3 month residential trip to Israel on Kibbutz Lavi, where she learnt about Israeli culture and volunteered. After high school, Yael began her higher education at Leeds University studying Neuroscience.Yael was a committee member of the Jewish Society, volunteered for the Leeds marrow charity as well as for the British Science Association. Yael did a year in Industry at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, where she was an undergraduate researcher. On return to Leeds University for her final year, Yael became course rep as well and is continuing to volunteer for other organizations

GPM partner Sundara brings hygiene through soap recycling to the slums of Mumbai

India's first and only soap recycling initiative has arrived in the slums of Mumbai thanks to a partnership between Sundara and GPM. Sundara, which collects soap from dozens of Mumbai hotels – soap that otherwise would be thrown away, employs and trains local women to recycle into new bars. In a new initiative, the Sundara women have begun to distribute free soap to children, along with specially crafted lessons in hygiene and sanitation. So far over 4,000 children have received soap and hygiene education. This supported by logistical assistance of The Mulshi Springs Water Company.

Sundara is also a major partner in GPM's planned Medical Clicic in Kalwa providing direct access to medical care for 7000 children in the slums, as well as new mothers. Sundara will run hygiene trainings for children and adults in the community in the afternoons from the center.
"Sundara  is thrilled to expand upon its mission to provide sustainable health initiatives for undeserved populations with the help of the GPM team" said Sundara director and founder, Ms. Erin Zaikis.

Hayley Dsouza, GPM Educational Director, delivering an hygiene workshop at Sundara

GPM joins the new Jewish Service coalition OLAM

GPM has been invited to join the newly formed Jewish social justice initiative, OLAM, a shared platform to promote global Jewish service. OLAM, created in partnership between the Alliance for Global Good, Pears Foundation, and Schusterman Family Foundation, that was launched this month in Tel Aviv, aims to strengthen Jewish volunteering and service learning, international development and social justice advocacy by supporting vulnerable communities around the world.

“It is thrilling to be part of this wonderful new collaborative effort that includes so many amazing international service-oriented organizations,” said GPM Founding Director Jacob Sztokman at the OLAM opening conference held at the Tel Aviv Hilton last week, where he facilitated a discussion group about developing empathy in communities.

“It was exciting to be with so many people who care so deeply about development work,” added GPM alumna Rose Pollard, who also attended the conference, where she shared her experiences as a GPM Entwine fellow volunteering in the slums of Mumbai.

OLAM will serve as a field-building resource, championing, coordinating and educating for the benefit of existing organizations, practitioners, and volunteers. It will expand the global Jewish community’s awareness and philanthropic support of these fields; build and strengthen practitioner networks to facilitate sharing knowledge and best practices; and grow the number of volunteers and practitioners and direct them to development work around the globe.

Click HERE  for more information about OLAM

GPM shares development lessons with Glocal students

“Never give up hope. There is always something you can do to make a real difference in the lives of others. If you live with your heart open, you can find a way to reach out to those who need and make a real change.” These words, written by GPM founder Jacob Sztokman, were featured in a special magazine dedicated to educating students and former-students around the world about community development. The magazine, produced by the Glocal Masters’ Degree program of Hebrew University in Jerusalem, highlighted the work of GPM, and was shared with 30,000 people around the world who work in development.

The current Glocal cohort includes students from Congo, USA, Brazil, Uruguay, Serbia, Uganda, Palestinian Authority and Israel. Jacob is also a proud student, and is scheduled to graduate in January 2016.
“Glocal has been a phenomenal place for me,” Jacob says. “I have acquired vital knowledge and theoretical expertise, engaged in stimulating discussions about development work around the world, and most importantly met the most inspiring people who are all dedicating their lives to making the world a better place. I’m deeply honored that Glocal chose to feature the work of GPM. It means so much to me.”

Special chocolates: Sweet volunteering with special women

GPM-Entwine fellows volunteered last week with developmentally challenged women at Om creations in South Mumbai. GPM fellows worked side by side with Om members to create and package chocolates for sale throughout Mumbai.

Om Creations is a NGO founded to provide professional training and support to women born with Downs’ syndrome and other mental disabilities in order enable the women to work professionally and be fully active members of society. The organization is self-sustaining, with baking, handicrafts, painting, and more.

The GPM volunteers, together with the women of Om Creations, made hundreds of chocolates for business clients.

“The women of Om Creations were extremely friendly and welcoming, which inspired us and made the work fun,” said Leya Ellias, GPM Program Director. “We were all talking and chatting the whole time, and it was a great environment.”

This was the first collaboration between GPM and Om Creations, and plans are underway to continue this project and expand opportunities for collaboration.

When Purim and Holi fall out on the same day!

This year, the Jewish holiday of Purim and the Hindu holiday of Holi (Duli Vadan) fall out on the same day, highlighting some fun and some serious shared aspects of the two cultures. Both holidays are colorful and exuberant, with people turning the streets upside down in playful festivity. In Holi, Indians celebrate by throwing bright colored powder (Abeer) on each other, while on Purim, Jews celebrate victory over the destructive Haman by dressing in costume and make-up and sending sweets to each other.

Another major shared characteristic of the two holidays is the idea of standing up to evil in order to achieve great good. On Purim Jews revel in Esther’s courage to stand up to a powerful tyrant bent on genocide. During Holi Hindus commemorate the salvation of a pious son (Prahlada) over his tyrannical demon father. Through the Purim Seuda and Holi Milan, celebrants emphasize the ideas that people belong to the same global human network, connected by a commitment to goodness and determination to act in the face of evil. As Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Happy Purim and Happy Holi to us all!

Emily during Holi

Purim party at Chabad of Mumbai

Food Packages for Needy Families in Mumbai this Purim

On the eve of Purim, Gabriel Project Mumbai volunteers, JDC India staff and members of the Mumbai Jewish Community came together to assemble mishloach manot and matanot levyonim packages - holiday gifts and food packages for 50 poor Jewish families and elderly. Packages consisting of basic staples such as rice, lentils, oil, flour, salt, sugar, milk and tea, were delivered to fifty families in the Jewish community. The money for the project was collected from GPM alumni and friends. The current cohort of international volunteers spent the day with local Jewish youth on packaging and delivery throughout the city of Mumbai and the district of Thane. A lot of fun was had by all!

Sharing Ideals: Gabriel Project Mumbai and Tzedek UK

Education, Service, Development and Care are four principles shared by the UK based organisation

Tzedek and Gabriel Project Mumbai’s activities in the slums of India. Tzedek is the British Jewish community’s response to extreme poverty. Tzedek ensures the community plays its part through practical support to local partners in Ghana and India; always aiming to help some of the world’s poorest help themselves out of poverty. Gabriel Project Mumbai (GPM) is an innovative project providing nutrition, literacy support, health and hygiene to children in the slums of India.

Tzedek and GPM have a deep respect for each other’s work and are beginning to build mutual support. Through the sharing of educational resources and by providing volunteer opportunities, we will work to promote awareness, service and development for vulnerable children and communities facing the many challenges of extreme poverty.

This is a great opportunity to advance the core value of tikkun olam in the developing world.

To find out more information about Tzedek’s activities go to  http://tzedek.org.uk/