‍The public is invited to nominate individuals who are changing lives for communities facing conflict, displacement, poverty, disease, natural disasters, and other humanitarian challenges in developing countries. Judges include Jon Polin, father of Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l; noted poet and feminist thinker Dr. Maya Tevet Dayan; and author and social media personality Aija Mayrock. Nominations close November 30.

A new global initiative is setting out to find Jewish and Israeli humanitarians working across developing countries, and to tell their stories. The Global Impact List will honor 18 people who are improving the world by responding to crises that many people never hear about.

Nominees may be aid workers, international development practitioners, advocates, volunteers, social entrepreneurs, or philanthropists whose work has made a lasting difference for the people they serve. The public can submit nominations through this online form through November 30, 2026.

A panel of judges drawn from the fields of philanthropy, advocacy, community leadership, and literature will then select 18 honorees. That number, the value of the Hebrew word for life, chai, reflects the idea behind the list: honoring people who make life better, safer, and more hopeful for others.

“At a time when so much attention is naturally drawn to crisis and division, I believe it is just as important to shine a light on those who choose, every day, to help, to build, to heal, and to create change,” says SID-Israel CEO Ayelet Levin-Karp, one of the initiative’s organizers. “These stories deserve to be told, not only to honour the people behind them, but because they remind us of what is possible when each of us chooses to do something.”

Other organizers are Dyonna Ginsburg, CEO of OLAM; Justin Cohen, co-publisher of the UK Jewish News; and Keren Shemesh, Editor-in-Chief of Ynet Global. The Jewish News and Ynet Global will publish the full list and profiles in 2027.

Ginsburg says the initiative is an opportunity to introduce more people to the vital work of these humanitarians. “There is a long Jewish tradition of taking responsibility for the well-being of others and for the world around us. Jewish and Israeli humanitarians are living out those values every day, in partnership with local communities around the world, to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The Global Impact List tells a fuller story about their contributions and highlights the impact they are making in corners of the world that don’t make the headlines.”

Jewish News co-publisher Justin Cohen: “We chose to honour 18 heroes who exemplify the Talmudic saying that ‘to save one life is to save the world’. At a time when much of the world sees Israel and Jews through the prism of war, it is all the more important to remember and celebrate the incredible contribution we make to others each and every day. We look forward to much nachus being schepped.”

The judging panel:

• Jon Polin, father of Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l, advocate for the hostages and their families, entrepreneur and Jewish leader
• Dr. Maya Tevet Dayan, noted poet, feminist thinker, and recipient of the First Lady of the State of Israel Prize for Hebrew Poetry and Prime Minister Levi Eshkol Prize for Literature
• Aija Mayrock, bestselling author, activist, and Jewish social media influencer
• Sir Trevor Pears, philanthropist and Chair of Pears Foundation
• Joy Sisisky, CEO of the Bay Area Jewish Federation
• Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews

Nominations close November 30.
See nomination criteria and the online nomination form.

See article about our Global Impact List in the UK Jewish News