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Joseph Gitler
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Joseph Gitler
The Blogs

Joseph Gitler

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Mar 20, 2023, 3:25 PM
Featured Post
How a solo operation in my driveway became Israel’s National Food Bank
Leket Israel feeds those in need. (Amir Yakoby, courtesy Leket Israel)
For 20 years, Leket Israel has fed those in need - breaking the cycle of poverty and preventing massive waste. It's win-win!
Mar 18, 2021, 6:04 PM
Struggling with my own advice: Pandemic’s unprecedented problem for nonprofits
Image: Jim Lavorato
Exactly a year ago, I presented nonprofits with a call to action. Wake up to how COVID will change everything, I urged. And start crisis planning now. It’s eerie to read my glib predictions from then, and see how they...
Nov 25, 2020, 8:05 PM
The most inspiring Thanksgiving story you’ll read. From a Tel Aviv opera singer
It took an opera singer from Kishinev, now based in Tel Aviv, to get this American Israeli in touch with the cheery themes of Thanksgiving.  After some of the hardest months many of us have known, it can be difficult...
Nov 18, 2020, 1:47 PM
Featured Post
Waste and want: Dumpsters overflow with the food poor Israelis can’t afford
IMAGE: WRAP.ORG.UK
If schoolkids learn that dumping food is wrong, they'll bring that message home, discipline their families gently, and reform the country naturally, from within
Oct 14, 2020, 9:38 PM
Yes Mr. President, Israel needs a budget. And it must, for once, feed the hungry
President Reuven Rivlin speaks at the opening of the Knesset's winter session on October 12, 2020. (Yaniv Nadav/ Knesset Spokesperson's Office)
The viral video of a Tel Aviv shoe seller throwing his stock on to the sidewalk is the latest symbol of the economic devastation wrought by lockdown. In my office, we constantly hear the sound of desperation. It’s the...
Sep 27, 2020, 6:00 PM
Featured Post
It’s déjà vu all over again: Lockdown already wreaking hunger in Israel, again
As stomachs rumble across the nation, our food distribution charity is again busier than ever, but it's hard to ask donors to give yet again
Aug 2, 2020, 8:26 PM
Featured Post
The day Israel’s president showed up to help me feed pandemic poor
Ruby Rivlin came to sort and pack produce for needy families and to learn more about today's food security challenges. That's true leadership
Jul 9, 2020, 9:08 PM
Featured Post
Cases spike, stomachs rumble: New COVID wave leaves Israelis scrambling for food
There are more people in need, and fewer sources of food to nourish them. Worse, it's going to get worse before it gets better
May 22, 2020, 12:42 AM
Inside story: Normal Israelis averted COVID hunger crisis; pride for nation
Who says Israelis don’t donate? During the current crisis, the good people of this nation have opened their hearts and wallets. We all know the stereotype. Israelis don’t give, and our charities rely on help from abroad. Well, I’ve been...
Apr 7, 2020, 6:10 PM
Charities plan. God laughs.
A couple of months ago, non-profit execs like me had it all worked out. We love our annual routines and our quarterly updates. We relish the challenge of planning our Passover and New Year campaigns. We enjoy knowing the needs...
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About Me
Joseph Gitler is the founder and voluntary chairman of Leket Israel – the National Food Bank. Now in its 20th year, Leket Israel rescues cooked meals from hotels, corporate cafeterias and IDF army bases and fresh surplus agricultural produce from farmers. This food is distributed through a network of nonprofit partner agencies feeding 234,000+ Israelis in need each week. To learn more visit www.leket.org/en.