On the anniversary of 9/11, a date that tragically coincides with the official establishment of the Keren Malki Foundation in 2001, co-founder Arnold Roth has published a powerful reflection in today’s E-Jewish Philanthropy. His essay distills more than two decades of lessons about what allows grief-born initiatives to survive and thrive when so many others fade.
Roth writes:
“Grief need not define us; it can inspire us to create something greater than our pain. Keren Malki is proof that from loss, love endures, and good things grow.”
The op-ed, titled “What Grief-Born Charities Can Teach About Resilience and Lasting Impact,” contrasts short-lived initiatives founded in the wake of tragedy with Keren Malki’s 24-year record of sustained impact.
Founded in memory of 15-year-old Malki Roth, murdered in the August 9, 2001 Sbarro massacre in Jerusalem, the foundation empowers Israeli families of all backgrounds to care for children with severe disabilities at home. Its programs have supported thousands of Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Druze families, providing therapies, equipment, and innovative services like its pioneering therapist-on-wheels initiative.
In the essay, Roth emphasizes that what sustains such a mission is not grief alone but:
- Clarity of purpose: “Our mission was clear from the outset: to empower families to care for children with extreme special needs at home, avoiding the cold isolation of institutionalization.”
- Governance and trust: “Rigorous governance — transparent finances, accountable leadership and regular impact assessments — builds trust with donors and families alike.”
- Adaptability: “When we saw families in Israel’s periphery struggling to access therapies, we launched our therapist-on-wheels program… This responsiveness ensures we remain relevant.”
As the foundation enters its 25th year, Roth urges funders and communities to recognize the transformative potential of charities born of grief:
“To funders, I offer this challenge: See grief-born charities as investments in adaptive, enduring good. Backing them doesn’t just honor the past; it builds a more responsive future.”