About Us

Started within our own Great Neck Community, with a vision to spread kindness and encourage others to do so as well. We are a diverse group of individuals from many different communities who are united in our goal of spreading kindness throughout the Jewish community and beyond. Over the past few years, through the help of volunteers & supporters, we have provided gifts baskets for hospitalized children and their siblings, supplied meals to hospitalized patients and their families, & fulfilled wishes of sick children. We’ve helped Jewish families pay for various simcha expenses & unfortunately helped pay for funeral costs as well. We have provided groceries to 100+ families in need every single week. From a small group of volunteers we have grown to a team of over 500 interested and active participants.

Through word of mouth we have assisted families with their needs during difficult times. This rapid growth and flood of interest confirmed to us that it was time to formalize our team. On 4/16/18, Fountain of Kindness was formed so that we can be ready at any time to address the needs of our rapidly growing Jewish community.

Board of Directors

Melody Aziz

Founder, CEO & President

Melody Aziz is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Fountain of Kindness. She was inspired to start the organization in honor of her two children & all the Jewish children. “Fountain of Kindness is my way of teaching my children about giving back to the community, spreading kindness and encouraging others to do so too.” Melody is responsible for the vision, strategy, and fundraising of the organization. She oversees all operations of the organization and is an integral part of the success of its growth. Melody attended Queens College where she obtained dual Bachelors in Speech & Language Pathology & Sociology.

Shanna Benlevy

Secretary

Shanna has a traditional marketing day job, but wanted to get involved in an organization that shares her desire to put good out in the world. Shanna wears many hats as a Fountain of Kindness board member and loves spending her time trying to make the organization the best it can be. She feels proud and honored to be surrounded by selfless and kind people who, in today's world, still make it a priority to unite to make life easier for those facing hardships. Shanna is a graduate of LIM College with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

Nava Barelli

Treasurer

Nava, a makeup artist & real estate agent, is mom to three children. She got involved with Fountain of Kindness after she was a recipient of the kindness we share. She really feels so happy to be able to repay the same gratitude to families and children. “The best part is teaching my children how to be selfless and help others in need.” Nava attended LIU CWPost and has a degree in graphic design.

Marlie Cohen

Board member

Marlie Cohen is a social worker with a deep commitment to Jewish communal work, both in her professional and volunteer endeavors. She currently serves as the Chief Program Officer at the Mid Island Y JCC and Suffolk Y JCC, where she oversees a wide range of programs and initiatives aimed at enhancing Jewish community life.

Marlie's journey into communal service was influenced by her active involvement with Sephardic Bikur Cholim in Deal, NJ. This early experience ignited her passion for community service and program development, driving her to bring these valuable insights to the Fountain of Kindness and the Great Neck community. Her dedication to fostering meaningful connections and creating impactful programs continues to inspire and benefit the communities she serves.

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