In this heartfelt and enlightening episode of Sababoosh, Jake welcomes Joseph Gitler, the visionary founder and chairman of Leket Israel, to the podcast. As Israel’s National Food Bank and largest food rescue organization, Leket is leading the charge in addressing food insecurity across the country, serving over 330,000 people each week. Joseph shares his personal journey of building Leket from a one-man operation in 2003 to a powerhouse of hope and generosity that thrives today with the help of 150 employees, 20 delivery vehicles, and tens of thousands of dedicated volunteers.
From the humble beginnings of rescuing leftover food from corporate events to the massive operation it has become, Joseph opens up about the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned along the way. He talks about the state of food insecurity in Israel, the unique spirit of volunteering in Israeli culture, and how Leket became a household name, especially during times of crisis, such as the ongoing war.
Through thoughtful and candid conversation, Joseph reflects on the most rewarding moments of his work and the incredible resilience of Israeli society. He also sheds light on the stark differences in philanthropy between Israelis and Diaspora Jews and the cultural factors that influence these dynamics. You’ll hear about the historic Knesset ruling that mandates public bodies to donate excess food, a game-changer for Leket and those in need.
As we dive deeper, Joseph reveals personal anecdotes about overcoming skepticism in the early days of Leket, how he manages to stay inspired, and his thoughts on the evolving landscape of community service in Israel. Plus, don’t miss the lightning round, where we get a glimpse of Joseph’s favorite Israeli authors, musicians, and cultural touchstones.
Check out the work of Leket at www.leket.org/en
Sponsor Highlight: Cafe Xoho
This episode is sponsored by Cafe Xoho.
Cafe Xoho is more than a Cafe, it is a movement. Established in 2010, their mission has been to provide a home-away-from-home to Olim through food, atmosphere and community events. Almost the entire menu is made from scratch in-house by their International team, who work tirelessly to bring you the flavors that you know and love - in particular their hand-rolled, boiled and baked bagels. One year ago the Cafe became Kosher in order to provide meals to soldiers and displaced families. Their new mission has been to nurture a sense of unity and shine some light on the ongoing difficult situation. Visit them at their new location - 73 Ben Yehuda Street Tel Aviv - and see what they have to offer!
