Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

There is a most urgent need for a permanent housing and living solution for young adults with special needs.  Parents are so often at a loss when it comes to finding such a solution for these young adults. Goals of finding meaningful work, being included by society, obtaining the respect of others and living a Jewish life are beyond their wildest dreams. Yet these are exactly our goals:  creating a home, meaningful work, a Jewish way of life and ultimate acceptance.  In Israel there are more than eight thousand adults with special needs who do not have a housing/living solution.

This project is located in Israel. It embodies the essence of Jewish giving and caring. It will be situated in Kfar Sava, a town of 90,000 residents, just ten miles north of Tel Aviv. This project will be part of the town, the town will be part of the project.

What is unique about this effort?

•It will focus on Jewish content, traditions and lifestyle in a pluralistic way
•It will be pioneering in the area of independent work and will continually
  review and integrate current trends in methodology
•There will be an emphasis on a caring community of involved parents
• It will be run by gifted staff members, experts in fields of supported
   independent living
•A pluralistic and inclusive community will be created of adults who are
   high functioning, but of differing special needs
• Input of our donors will be welcomed

The professionals involved in this project have a wealth of practical experience, as well as extensive academic backgrounds. We benefit from the experience of Susie Dvoskin, M.A. in Special Education brings with her 35 years of field work. Her creative and warm touch is outstanding and ground-breaking in the field. Dr. Phil Reiss is an expert in community settings for young adults with special needs. Levana Kerem, M.A. is a principal of a community school for those with special needs. She has created a community model that is outstanding by world standards. Judith Edelman-Green, M.A., founded and directed the National Program, Bar/Bat Mitzvah for the Special Child for 12 years. She initiated the first overnight camp for young adults with special needs in Israel, and the first national conference on Jewish Special Education that brought together teachers, parents, rabbis and children. The staff is committed, at this point on a volunteer basis, to ensure the creation of an outstanding and embracing home. They have worked together for a decade, and together have received many accolades (attached.) Part of the vision is involving young staff who can give energy and commitment to this project.

The Israeli Board of our non-profit organization consists of well respected attorney, Moti Hahn-Markowitz, Jeri Hahn-Markowitz, a lecturer in the field of Occupational Therapy, Dr. Shlomit Kaminka, an expert in business initiatives and management and Personnel Director of a national bank. Danny Chen, philanthropist for needy populations and winner of many communal citations, David Schwartz expert in business and community relations, Rabbi Lee Diamond, leading Jewish educator, and a number of parents of youth with special needs who wish not to be named at this stage. Our chair, David Agam, father to Or (which means Light,) an expert in building, planning and real estate and is a tremendous asset to our board.

What else exists in the area?

There are two institutions for adults with more severe developmental disabilities (mental retardation) in Kfar Sava, Dror Village, which is a privately owned institution for 114 older adults, and Ruchamah Village which is a government run institution, for 180 older adults. Onim Village, serves teenagers with special needs who are at still school and who are in vocational training programs.

In nearby Ra’anana  are two homes for young adults run by non-profit organizations. One Beit Ofek, serves adults with autism and the other, Beit Halomi, has residents with moderate developmental disabilities. Each has 24 residents. In addition there is Kfar Nachman, a institution which serves an aging population of 170 people with moderate and severe mental retardation.

The populations that we are aiming for are not served in this area.

From Generation to Generation We Will Speak of Your Glory
(from the prayer book)