Sole Brothers’ mission is to provide goods and services to the underserved. Its primary focus is to provide gently worn athletic footwear to those in need. Founded by this month’s mensch Rich Singer and his coaching partner, Travon Muhammad, the 501(c)(3) organization also provides financial assistance to help kids pursue athletic endeavors and recreational opportunities.
Sole Brothers was established in spring of 2010. Singer and Muhammad were coaching a group of graduating 8th-grade basketball players at Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica. When the students — who included Singer’s younger son — needed to complete community service hours, they came up with the idea to have a shoe drive. They collected more than 320 pairs for the Santa Monica Police Athletic League, which were then distributed to those in need.
Fast forward to the spring of 2012, Muhammad was coaching against a team from the San Gabriel Valley and noticed that a young man on the opposing team was playing extremely well. He had a lot of talent but was wearing a pair of worn-out Vans. Fortunately, those weathered sneakers were the same size that Muhammad wears, so he went to his car and gave the player a pair of his own basketball shoes.
This was the first individual Sole Brothers donation. The organization has since donated over 7,500 pairs of shoes.
“Many people in this world would wear tattered clothes, let alone shoes, before they would feel comfortable asking someone for help,” Singer says. “You put new shoes on, you feel like you can run faster and jump higher, literally and figuratively.”
Shoes empower people. Plus, there’s the safety and comfort factor.
“It’s a simple gesture on our part, because it’s just given to us and then, in turn, we give it to someone else — we’re a conduit,” Singer says. “And to be part of that powerful chain, that’s the beauty of it.”
JLiving spoke with Rich Singer about his origins of giving and his inspirations.
How has philanthropy enriched your life?
I’m not sure where I was instilled with the notion of philanthropy — not naming my parents would be the highest of insults, so I would have to start there — but it wasn’t necessarily anything they said, mostly how they carried out their lives. From there, it has always felt right to assist those in need, becoming a natural part of my life. Whether it has been a larger effort such as Sole Brothers or even the occasional slipping of a dollar to the needy at a stoplight, being able to provide for others is what makes me feel that I have made things better.
When was the first time you participated in Tzedakah? Can you share your first significant donation, whether it was by donating your time or financially?
When I was a child, our Hebrew school would conduct an annual Tzedakah campaign (I think it was alongside Halloween). Anyway, one particular teacher — Mrs. Glick, if I’m not mistaken — would chant the memorable tune, “Pennies, Nickels, Dimes and Quarters…” and her very strong East Coast accent would pronounce it as “Qwhah-turs,” to the delight of my entire family, and we would mimic her sound for decades with laughter and appreciation.
As an adult, I had the bittersweet opportunity to memorialize the passing of one of my brothers by establishing an annual fundraising golf tournament in 1995. It was an extreme labor of love, but one filled with much reward. Several years prior, I had become associated with an auxiliary that raised money for Camp Max Straus by my dear friend Brian Appel, who was on the Board of Jewish Big Brothers. Brian cofounded the golf tournament with me.
The camp is an amazing non-denominational facility in the Glendale foothills, owned and operated by JBB, providing for underserved, single-parent youth in the Los Angeles area. I toured the campgrounds and was introduced to its dedication and service to its campers, and I subsequently shared that experience with my own parents. It was at this time my father revealed to me that he was a camper there, himself, in its inaugural years in 1937-38. I had never known this about him, nor understood the significance and impact this camp would have on his life.
When I was faced with the decision as to what entity would be the benefactor of the golf tournament in my brother’s name, it was a very simple yet deeply meaningful choice. Realizing the full-circle aspect of providing funds for a facility that enabled my dad to achieve more of his potential, in the name of his own son, is something I carry proudly to this day.
What are simple ways anyone can give back/participate in Tikun Olam?
The thought of this concept reminds me of when I decided to volunteer at my older son’s pre-school, which consisted of a number of celebrity parents, as well as other very financially comfortable parents. While the financial contributions were paramount for the school’s continued sucSole Brothers continued from page 39 Mensch cess, the administration shared with me that some heavy lifting with time and service was also needed. Among my efforts, I helped secure and place first-aid/emergency kits in every classroom, and I even led a group of dads in a teacher appreciation ceremony that became a school tradition.
My point is this: One should not concern oneself with what the contribution is. The act of contributing is what is important. Plus, the notion of the power of numbers certainly applies here.
Who inspires you?
As I mentioned previously, I lost one of my brothers in 1995, and I’ve had the unfortunate experience of losing my other brother as well, who passed in 2010. As it is said, “May their memory be a blessing.” It’s something that is not lost on me. Their absence is an inspiration to me to live life fully and with conviction.
Additionally, my cofounder of Sole Brothers, Travon Muhammad, is another one of my inspirations. He conducts himself throughout life with grace, humility and genuine concern for others. Like myself, a tragedy in his life provided him the opportunity to refocus his energies and efforts, subsequently resulting in us establishing this tremendous nonprofit organization. The two of us could not appear more disparate as a couple, yet we share a beautifully aligned view of life, family, fatherhood and giving back to the world.
What is your favorite Jewish meal?
I’m more about individual food items rather than a whole meal. First off, I have to be honest here and inform you that I make a killer latke, and I’ve been praised by many (OK, mostly family and good friends) that mine are some of the best ever. I appreciate a good vegetable-and-noodle-filled matzah ball soup. And don’t even get me started on my mom’s blintzes — with the correct-sized dollop of sour cream and jam — but unfortunately, those are merely a memory at this point.
Anything you want to add?
Whenever given the opportunity, I like to share a concept that my brother, David, articulated in 1995, just prior to his passing. While in the hospital for yet another stay, he was asked by a nurse how he maintained his positive focus and ability to remain hopeful. He wrote down his “Pockets of Joy” philosophy, which in its brilliant yet profound simplicity, stated that our days can be narrowed down to brief moments of time that we can choose to make of them what we wish. He chose to remind himself of the joyful times with family or friends and to focus on those, whether they were big or small moments. And despite his challenges, those moments made his life meaningful and worthwhile.
Learn more about the organization at SoleBrothers.org