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Dear Friends,
Every once in a while, I ask
myself, are we really on the
right path? But then, I meet
the parents of our children,
and learn from them how
meaningful our models and
innovations really are.
This is the time of the year when new children and their families enter our
kindergarten and school, and when we say lehitraot (farewell) to the children and
their families who are graduating. It is always a bittersweet time for us at BIS and
for the families when we say goodbye.
We are all proud of our children's progress. They have so much courage and
love in them and they teach us much about meeting the challenges of life and
“beating the odds”. We know that they are able to
move on more confidently and independently than
when they first entered our doors.
We are witness to how the families leave Beit Issie
Shapiro (BIS) with their heads held high, with many
new friends and a sense that their lives have been
put together again. They will always feel that BIS is a
second home - even after their children leave.
But we also know that it is not enough - to help only
those children who are lucky to receive direct BIS
services. BIS strives to improve the lives of all children
in Israel, and all those beyond our borders. We work
very hard to research and document our successful models so they can be
replicated in other places. We teach our models of intervention, and learn from
others and tirelessly advocate for better disability policies and services for all.
As this year closes and a new one starts, I can honestly say that one of the
most profound moments in my career was when I was at the United Nations
this July, and heard about a world-wide research project on "early intervention."
Israel was found to have the best practices in early intervention amongst all the
countries evaluated. Some of these services were initiated and implemented at
BIS by Naomi Stuchiner and Haya De Lowe over 30 years ago. This field has been
developed further by other great professionals at BIS and beyond. It has been
implemented throughout Israel as a result of advocacy in parliament that we have
led. We can be proud Israelis!
You will read in this newsletter about some profound changes we are creating
through the development of leadership amongst our young adults with
disabilities. These young adults are leading their own future and the future for the
next generation. You will also read about innovations that we are developing in
the field of technology.
We need your continued support to make a difference in the lives of people
with disabilities. I thank you deeply for partnering us in this journey. “Together
we stand” and together we will pave the way for greater rights and equal
opportunities for all.
I wish you and your families a happy and healthy New Year
Sincerely,
Jean Judes
Executive Director
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Circles - Autumn 2016