2-3 / 16
2 |
Circles - Autumn 2015
| 3
Dear Friends,
If I had to summarize the 35 years of social change at Beit Issie
Shapiro, what would I focus on? Our innovative work that has
been replicated in Israel and around the world? Our international
impact that was highlighted when we chaired a panel on
technology at the United Nations? Our incredibly successful 6th
International Conference that we held in Tel Aviv, which saw
1,000 people from 23 countries? Or the new laws we got passed
this last year in the Israeli parliament?
The more I think about it, the more I realize that
what really captures the spirit of our 35 years
is what our families constantly tell us. They
say that we are their family and their home for
life – even if their kids are no longer at Beit Issie
Shapiro. I would say that what captures the
essence of the 35 years is the endless love,
passion and belief that our staff have in children
and adults with disabilities.
Recently, a woman, who is a top accountant,
told me how depressed she was a year and a
half ago, when she discovered that she had a
child with cerebral palsy. All she saw was a big
black hole from which she could not imagine ever escaping.
A year after placing her daughter in Beit Issie Shapiro, she
discovered, through us, her child’s strengths. She is now
considering integrating her daughter into a regular kindergarten.
Her daughter keeps the family laughing all the time as she is, in
fact, a very clever little girl. The mom is back at her top-notch
job. She thought she would never be able to continue with her
successful career: now she has discovered, with our help and
support, that she in fact has a full and positive life ahead of her.
I hope this magazine will convey this spirit and passion
combined with the professional excellence of our staff, friends
and supporters. I personally would like to thank you for helping
us to make a difference in so many lives. We have many more
dreams and hope to continue to receive your support and
backing for the many challenges that lie ahead of us.
May you and your families have a good and healthy New Year.
With warm regards,
Jean Judes
Executive Director
Disability is a universal concern that cuts
across all cultures, uniting those affected
by a common desire to provide the best
care and quality of life for people with
disabilities. Part of our work in changing
attitudes involve building bridges between
Jewish and Arab communities in the field of
disabilities.
Especially youth.
Earlier this year, we gathered 450 motivated,
and caring young Jewish and Arab leaders
for the Together /
ביחד
/
معا
برنامج
Youth
Leadership National Conference 2015. After
a year of participating in our workshops on
disabilities and volunteering for people with
disabilities, they are now ambassadors in
their schools to promote a society that is
more just and fully accepting of people who
are different. We are proud of and excited for
our future leaders!
Celebrating Change
Our 6th International
Conference on Disabilities
saw 1,000 people from 23
countries come together in
the name of ‘Unity and
Diversity in Action’.
“This was a great life lesson for me, and
one that I couldn’t receiveanywhereelse.”
Or Elimelech from the Ironi Hey High School in Haifa
“All the activities this year, including the
conference, have been amazing.
I am telling everyone about it all the time,
especially my family and my friends who
did not participate in the program.”
Dana Natur from the Achmadiah High School in Haifa
Generously supported by U.S. Agency
for International Development’s
(USAID) - from the American people
If Jews and Arabs are given the opportunity to work together
towards a common goal – facing the challenge of having a
disability and providing services to and furthering the rights
of people with disabilities – then their focus will be on what
unites them rather than what divides them.
Shana Tova!
Thank you for helping us
reach the sky this year!
C e l e b r a t i n g C h a n g e
C h a n g i n g A t t i t u d e s