How Yad Leah Began

In 2003, Yad Leah co-founder Karen Thaler, an American expat living in Israel was on a visit back home when a friend offered her some clothing her kids had grown out of.

Karen would use some of it, but what should she do with the rest?

Her friend said simply,

“EVEN IF YOU CAN’T USE IT, I’M SURE THERE IS SOMEONE WHO CAN.”
And that is how Yad Leah was born.

It started with just a few suitcases that were distributed personally, but rapidly grew to full shipping containers that are distributed to close to 30 communities around Israel.

On the American side, co-founder Jessica Katz has gone from sending those few suitcases, to running an industrial-sized warehouse and volunteer center where the clothing is sorted, folded, and packed. Jessica also plans and executes Yad Leah’s highly successful fundraisers and clothing drives.

At Yad Leah, our recipients’ dignity is at the core of it all.

Englewood Community Clothing Drive 2026