"It’s not easy to understand how they communicate, but when I arrive at Israel Elwyn's Center in Haifa and see how happy they are to see me, I know it’s 100% real."
— Alexey Sedykh
We’re excited to share that Alexey (Lesha) Sedykh, a student who made aliyah from Russia several years ago and currently volunteers at the Crossroads to a Career Center in Haifa, has been awarded a national certificate of excellence as part of a scholarship from the Israel Student Authority in the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration!
We were proud to accompany him yesterday to the moving ceremony in Jerusalem, where we saw the humble smile of someone who gives wholeheartedly, without expecting anything in return.
Lesha led a special, in-depth art workshop that enabled young adults with disabilities to express themselves. His final project culminated in an art exhibition in a Haifa gallery—an exhibition that gave their creations a platform and gave voice to those who are sometimes left without words.
Thank you, Lesha, for the heart, the generosity, humanity, and the light you bring to every encounter.
🎥 Don’t miss the moving video we created about Lesha’s volunteer journey:
👉 youtu.be/ovCVcr9c8Ss
💙 Help us spread the word—share this post to celebrate Lesha and inspire more young people to make a difference in the lives of others!
#CrossroadsToACareer #InclusiveCommunity #YoungChangemakers #IsraelElwyn #StudentVolunteers #IntegrationAndExcellence
... See MoreSee Less
Celebrating at the Katie Manson Sensory Garden – with Rhythm, Color, and Joy 🌸🥁🍓
Each year, we commemorate Katie Manson's, z”l, birthday with a meaningful and joyful sensory activity together with the service recipients at the Sabbah Center in Jerusalem.
This year, due to the war, the celebration was delayed – but we were determined to celebrate.
Today, we finally celebrated Katie’s birthday with a vibrant sensory experience: percussion instruments, sound recognition games, and a refreshing fruit smoothie to end on a sweet note.
It was a joyful and heartfelt way to continue this special tradition and honor Katie’s memory. 💛
... See MoreSee Less
🎙️ Israel Elwyn's Response to the Security Escalation
How did we maintain resilience and provide meaningful support to individuals with disabilities during times of crisis?
Listen to Sharon Ehrnwald, Assistant CEO for International Relations at Israel Elwyn, share our approach to support, inclusion, and adaptability in challenging times.
📻https://youtu.be/gAyv7MLVNp4
#disabilityinclusion #crisisresponse #israelelwyn #resilience #socialimpact #inclusivesuppor
... See MoreSee Less
Meet the #Elwynists 💪❤️
At Israel Elwyn, around 1,400 Elwynists work together — a diverse and dedicated group of exceptional individuals who have shaped the organization into what it is today.
This time, we’d like to introduce you to Sasha (Alexandra) Kizilov!
Sasha is a speech therapist working at our early intervention centers in Kiryat Ata and Kiryat Bialik.
She’s been with us for four years, bringing endless dedication, professionalism, and a big heart.
Sasha has an incredible ability to see each child as an individual, recognize every detail, and tailor the most accurate response to their needs — giving them the best opportunity to thrive.
💛 Parents are happy, staff sing her praises, and everyone knows — Sasha is a top-tier professional.
This year, she also began mentoring speech therapy students — giving them an inspiring role model to learn from.
Thank you, Sasha, for everything!!!
🙏❤️
👩⚕️👨⚕️ Speech therapists – want to join our family?
Apply now for dozens of positions across the country at Israel’s largest non-profit organization: 👇
israelelwyn.org.il/vacancies/
📧 Send your CV to: info@israelelwyn.org.il 🙂
... See MoreSee Less
🎥 Just launched!
Meet the Shavim Band – a one-of-a-kind music group made up of talented young women and men with disabilities.
They don’t just perform – they move hearts, break stigmas, and bring people together through music.
This new video captures their inspiring journey, their message of inclusion, and the powerful role of art in giving voice to those who are too often unheard.
💙 The Shavim Band performs at ceremonies, educational events, national holidays, and community gatherings – spreading light and connection throughout Israel.
👉 Would you like them to perform at your event?
Please contact us at:📧 shavim@IsraelElwyn.org.il
Or leave your details here: israelelwyn.org.il/lpa/shavim-en/
#Inclusion #DisabilityRights #ShavimBand #IsraelElwyn #AccessibleArt להקת שווים
... See MoreSee Less
We planned a graduation party with songs, hugs, and certificates for the excited children moving up to first grade. Even though we couldn’t gather in person, we didn’t give up on celebrating together. We met on Zoom—and our hearts were just as full.
🎶 We sang songs together in sign language
📖 We read a story that was written jointly by the Israel Elwyn residents and the kindergarten children
🎥 We said goodbye with a moving video summarizing a year of connection, learning, closeness, and growth.
This was a year in which our residents visited the kindergarten every week—sharing their life stories, explaining, playing, and laughing with the children. A year in which the children learned firsthand about disability, but even more so about abilities. A year in which we watched four- and five-year-olds learn to reach out, and speak proudly about the people in their lives who live with disabilities.
Even on Zoom, we felt just how real, deep, and meaningful this bond has become. And despite the physical distance, the farewell was warm, personal, and filled with love.
Gabi, who lives in one of our community apartments and participated in the project, shared this message with the children:
“Sweet kids, it was so much fun to meet you and visit your kindergarten. You always welcomed us so warmly, and we hope you’ll remember us and everything we learned together forever. Good luck in first grade! We’re so proud of you.”
A heartfelt thank you to our partners, dreamers, families, the dedicated kindergarten and Supported Living staff, our wonderful National Service volunteers—without whom none of this would have been possible—and above all, to the residents and the children, who made this project so unforgettable.
See you next year!
#IsraelElwyn #SupportedLiving #LulavKindergarten #InclusiveSociety #NationalService
... See MoreSee Less