Israel Elwyn

What's New at Israel Elwyn

Knesset adopts special needs workers

In ceremony filled with smiles and tears, 15 disabled trainees absorbed for different roles at Israeli parliament. New employees will have same rights and duties as all other workers
Shlomit Sharvit

The next time you call the Knesset, have to organize an entrance permit, visit the library or the archive, or leave your coat at the cloakroom, you may be served by one of the Israeli parliament's new workers, who received their badges and certificates on Wednesday in a ceremony filled with tears and smiles.

The new workers have been filling the same roles for years as part of a project launched by the Elwyn and Shekel associations for the integration of disabled people in the Knesset, in accordance with the associations' rehabilitation plan of special care in workplaces.

The Knesset joined the project in June 2006 and took in 15 trainees with special needs, who were integrated into the parliament's various departments and carry out assignments which match their abilities, with the appropriate guidance.

On Wednesday the Knesset decided to absorb the trainees as regular workers and start employer-employee relations instead of connecting through the associations.

The trainees were diagnosed by the Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry in order to examine their employment ability. They were then absorbed by the Knesset through employment contracts and their salaries were matched to their level of ability, in addition to special bonuses paid by the Knesset.

Knesset director-general gives Nadav Halperin a badge and certificate (Photo: Avi Mandelbaum)

"When Eliezer was born, one doctor told us that he won't reach the age of six mentally. Today he can be proven wrong," Tova Haitovich, the mother of one of the new workers, said with pride.

'They receive excellent treatment here'

"No one can fire you. You can sleep quietly and relax. Do you know that I love you?" Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, one of the move's initiators, asked the new workers during the ceremony.

Itzik, who knows each worker personally, told the new employees' excited relatives about their work.

"I'm glad this ceremony is being held today and that the awareness of the possibility of absorbing special needs workers has been raised among government offices as well as private bodies," said Shosh Turgeman of the Elwyn association.

"They receive excellent treatment here. It's really all from the heart without any pity. They are good workers and are treated well, and it's heartwarming," she added.

"I think people will look at me differently now," said Avi Zari, a new worker at the Knesset archive. "Even when we were treated as kings here and they really loved us here, they always said we were here on behalf on Elwyn. Now, instead of 500 workers, the Knesset has 515 workers."

Some of the workers, women and men, are married and have children. They fill various positions in the Knesset, including ushers, switchboard operators, messengers, secretaries and cloakroom attendants.

"They work like any other Knesset employee, with the same duties and same rights," said Knesset Director-General Avi Balashnikov.

"The Knesset workers' committee represents them and takes care of them and the Knesset management embraces them," he added excitedly. "I certainly hope, really hope, to see the rest of the government offices and public service in the State of Israel follow in the Knesset's footsteps."

Dedication of Beit Chanan

The Warshawsky family poses proudly in front of the newly dedicated building

Early last summer, family and friends of the late Harold (Chanan) Warshawsky gathered in Jerusalem's Givat Hamivtar neighborhood to dedicate Beit Chanan, continuing their tradition of friendship and support for Israel Elwyn. Beit Chanan is a supported apartment building, part of Israel Elwyn's supported community residence network. Beit Chanan offers its 16 residents supports which allow them quality-of-life while helping them cope with their cognitive and in some cases, physical disabilities.

Adele Warshawsky represented her family and late husband at the moving ceremony where Minister of Social Affairs and Social Services Yitzchak Herzog stressed the importance of this residence and praised Israel Elwyn for its groundbreaking work in providing supported housing for people with disabilities.

The residents' families and other guests joined the Israel Elwyn staff and representatives of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, the National Insurance Institute's Fund for the Development of Services for Persons with Disabilities and the City of Jerusalem for this special occasion.

During their guided tour of the building, they met some residents, who answered questions and invited the visitors to see their personal space and saw others going about their routine, including enjoying animal therapy and art therapy.

The establishment of Beit Chanan, which is located at Ahuzat Weinberg, was made possible by the generosity of the late Mr. Maurice (Chico) Sabbah, the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation, the National Insurance Institute's Fund for the Development of Services for the Persons with Disabilities, the family of Ronald Hagenow, the Hammerman and Frisch Foundation, Josh and Judy Weston, Gaby and Tybe Bloom, and many other friends and family of Mrs. Adele Warshawsky and the late Harold Warshawsky.

NEW EARLY INTERVENTION CENTER OPENS IN CARMIEL

On September 1, 2008, Israel Elwyn opened a new Early Intervention Center in Carmiel serving toddlers with autism from the north of Israel. The only one of its kind in the Galilee region, the Center has a total capacity of 14 children. The process of opening the Center was initiated a year ago, when IE acted upon a request from the Department of Autism of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services to develop the program to meet this critical unmet need. The Center is housed in a building with two classrooms allocated by the City of Carmiel. Necessary renovations and adaptations were made with generous donations from the Helen Bader Foundation and the United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh.

The Early Intervention Center, which is the fifth such facility to be opened by Israel Elwyn in locations throughout the country, will serve the entire north of Israel. Like most of IE's programs, it operates by integrating various treatment methods and by creating individualized programs based on each child's abilities and needs.

Once again, we express our gratitude to the UJF of Pittsburgh and the Helen Bader Foundation for their leadership, support and involvement in helping fund the Center's first year of operation.

Dedication of Stein Early Intervention Center in Haifa

At the beginning of the year, Israel Elwyn's Early Intervention Center in Haifa moved to its new home at the Stein Center on the Legacy Heritage Campus. Serving children with special needs aged one to three, the Stein Center's multi-systemic integrated treatment approach provides each of the children and their families with an individualized program to help them achieve milestones in cognitive, motor and language development, as well as social and life skills. Currently 15 toddlers are enrolled in the Center.

"As the parents of an only child, whose future we dreamed about before his birth, we would like to thank the staff of the Center," said one of the fathers at the dedication. "In a unique and exciting way, you have made us feel our son is in good hands. He receives specialized, personal attention throughout the day - as does every other child, without exception.

"This occasion and this amazing place are a testimony to the quality of the people behind this outstanding success and their exceptional attitude towards special children in particular. Israel Elwyn is doing everything in its power to make these children an integral part of society - with the opportunity and possibility to integrate into society to the greatest degree possible and the ability and will to contribute in the future."

The new Center is located on land allocated by the City of Haifa and was made possible through generous donations and grants from the Louis and Bessie Stein Foundation, The Legacy Heritage Fund, Israel's Shalem Fund, National Insurance Institute and other donors. Representatives of all the partners in this project were present for the joyous dedication, along with Haifa Deputy Mayor Zvi Dahari, members of the city's Social Services Department, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services and the National Insurance Institute, parents and Israel Elwyn's many Haifa friends and supporters.

Beit Bloom Blooms in Jerusalem

After years of preliminary planning and construction - and months of anticipation - the Beit Nitzanim residence was closed and its members moved into Beit Bloom at the Israel Elwyn Residential Centers campus in Jerusalem.

Their new home was conceived and designed to provide them with pleasant and therapeutic surroundings, significantly enhancing their quality of life. The building was constructed with each resident's individual needs in mind.

Preparation for the move began two years before the actual date, with residents and staff participating in an acclimatization program to help them deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of the move, as well as the physical relocation. The program included visits to the building site; each resident chose their room in the apartments they were assigned to, according to their individual needs.

Each apartment is furnished differently with colors and fabrics that suit the individual, as well as being equipped with a washing machine, dryer, dishwasher and having outdoor furniture. Beit Bloom was made possible by the kind gift of Tony and Gisela Bloom and their family, long time friends of the Jerusalem Foundation. Other major donors to the Beit Bloom project were the National Insurance Institute, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, the Bnai Zion Foundation, the Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, the Nash Family Foundation, the General Guardian's Fund, the Albert Beresin Trust and Israel's Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services.

Beit Chanan opens in Jerusalem

Bilal (left) a counselor and Emil, a resident at Beit Chanan

Beit Chanan, a supported apartment building Israel Elwyn opened in Jerusalem's Givat HaMivtar neighborhood, offers its residents as normal a life as possible, while providing them with considerable support. The three young men and 12 young women with intellectual and physical disabilities who now call Beit Chanan home, Make use of the community's services, including medical clinics, cafes and grocery stores.

Beit Chanan has three apartments, each tailored to meet the residents' individual needs; one of the women's' apartments is suited to their mobility requirements. During the day, the residents travel to Israel Elwyn's Sabbah Center where they attend its Adult Day Center. Late afternoons and evenings are devoted to shopping, eating, bathing, rotating cooking and laundry chores and leisure pursuits. On the weekend, the residents enjoy yoga, caring for animals, art therapy, gardening and nature walks.

Beit Chanan was made possible though the generosity of the late Maurice Sabbah, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Todd Solomon, the National Insurance Institute and Israel's Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, and the friends and family of Adele Warshewsky and her late husband Harold (Chanan)Warshewsky.

Israel Elwyn's Digital Archiving Center Receives Shalem Fund Prize

At a special ceremony last year, the Shalem Fund (the Central Fund for the Development of Services for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities in Local Governments) awarded a prize to Israel Elwyn for its unique project that established a digital archiving business in Jerusalem's Gival Shaul industrial area. This innovative project allows organizations and firms to turn their files and documents into a digital archive, transforming mountains of paper into an efficient and accessible digital format. Ten individuals work at the facility. The initial Digital Archiving Center was so successful that Israel Elwyn recently opened another branch, also in Gival Shaul. The new branch is an employment center for Orthodox women with disabilities that marries vocational rehabilitation with training for supported employment while addressing the unique needs of Orthodox Jewish women.

Yehudit Ravitz Contributes Her Talents

Singer, Yehudit Ravitz displays her gift form Israel Elwyn

Yehudit Ravitz, popular Israeli singer and songwriter, wowed the audience at the Jerusalem Theater with her performance to benefit the Maximum Independence project at the Dvora Agmon Preschool and Roizman Early Intervention Center. The project promotes independent mobility, communication and play among the children. Ms. Ravitz donated her talents after Yigal Dimant, a stalwart Israel Elwyn friend and supporter, approached her and described Israel Elwyn's mission and accomplishments.

David Marcu, Israel Elwyn' Executive Director greeted the donors and the audience, singling out Sari and Israel Roizman, longtime generous donors. Mr. Roizman spoke about the success of the Centers and he too, thanked the large crowd.

Israel Elwyn Board Set the Stage for Others to Emulate

Israel Elwyn Board members in Jerusalem

Once again, Israel Elwyn Board members have demonstrated their leadership and dedication, enabling the organization to achieve its goals and aim even higher in the future. Their commitment - together with their Board colleagues' 100 percent participation - had inspired several impressive new and renewed gifts from individuals, federations and foundations.

New Board Chairman Dr. Abraham Wolf continued his leadership contribution with a matching gift towards the total renovation of Israel Elwyn's Residential Centers.

Immediate Past Board Chairman Morris Willner reinforced his long-standing commitment to Israel Elwyn's main Campus with a generous gift to create the Willner Garden Pavilion, which will be a critical part of the upgraded IE Residential Centers.

Evelyn Solomon, a devoted Board member and organizational leader, has demonstrated her dedication to Israel Elwyn's financial future with a generous contribution to Israel Elwyn's endowment. Her meaningful gift is an expression of her confidence in Israel Elwyn.

Abe Wolf Elected Chairman of Israel Elwyn

Dr. Abraham Wolf, Chairman of the board, Israel Elwyn

Long-time Israel Elwyn board member, Abraham Wolf, Ph.D., was elected Chairman at the annual meeting of the Israel Elwyn General Assembly in Philadelphia last May. Paying tribute to his predecessor Morris Willner, Dr. Wolf noted "under Morris Willner's chairmanship Israel Elwyn initiated its largest and most significant facilities improvement and expansion program.

Dr. Wolf added: "we will continue to work toward the completion of these projects and concentrate on enhancing the aspects of the triumvirate that affect institutional excellence - staff development, methodology and technology. We will continue building our endowment fund so that we will have funding for these activities and lay the foundation for excellence and future financial security. My involvement with Israel Elwyn is motivated by the desire to help people obtain a better sense of well being through opportunities that society would otherwise not afford them."

We are proud to be your partners, Minister Herzog says

Isaac Herzog, Minister of Social Affairs and Social Services with Israel Elwyn Board Chairman Dr. Abraham Wolf

The audience at IE's Katie Manson Sensory Garden, applauded enthusiastically when Minister of Social Affairs and Social Services Isaac Herzog's announced that - upon his recommendation - the National Insurance Institute's (NII) Public Council agreed to the request of a nationwide coalition of special needs service providers to lower the age limit of certain children eligible for a disability allowance. Speaking at a reception for Israel Elwyn Board Members, donors and colleagues from Israel and abroad, Minister Herzog praised Israel Elwyn's activities and efforts. "We at the Ministry, together with the NII, are proud to be your partners. Israel Elwyn," he said, "is a great success. The Katie Manson Sensory Garden is just one example of your initiative and foresight."

Creating Common Interests through Jewish Learning

The initiative of Efrat Cohen Wagner, Coordinator, Staff Development and Community Relations at IE's Residential Centers - has had an amazing impact on the young people at the Tzur Hadassah's Hadassim School and at Israel Elwyn's Tal Residential Center.

Supported by the Movement for Progressive Judaism, the parent body of Israel's Reform movement, about two years ago she created a heartwarming connection between the Tal Residential Center and the Reform congregation at Tzur Hadassah, a community southwest of Jerusalem.

Joint activities include a monthly Kabbalat Shabbat at the school and the Tal residents' monthly participation in the congregation's Kabbalat Shabbat at the Synagogue. During the past year, the Tal residents have been intensely involved in an exciting new project with the children of the Tzur Hadassah congregation. Its rabbi, Rabbi Ofer Shabath-Bet-Halachmi, and one of its members, Mira Hovav, decided to establish a Beit Midrash for fourth-grade students from Tzur Hadassah's Hadassim School and the Tal residents.

To overcome any difficulties the children might experience in coping with the Tal residents' disabilities, a permanent group of ten students met weekly with ten of their Tal counterparts. Members of the congregation, young and old alike, describe the encounter with the Tal residents as a meaningful experience they look forward to each week with pleasure. An article Mira Hovav wrote for the region's local newspaper headlined "Love thy neighbor (because he is) as thyself ", and thus quoted a child who participated in the project: "at our joint Beit Midrash, I discovered that our friends who look different from us are really like us in many ways, and we learned a lot from them".

David Marcu Receives International Award

Karen Goldenberg, past chair (left), and Genie Cohen (right), Executive Director, congratulate IE Executive Director David Marcu on receiving the 2007 Bernie Rosenthal Executive Director Award from the International Association of Jewish Vocation Services.

David Marcu, Executive Director of Israel Elwyn, received the 2007 Bernie Rosenthal Executive Director Award, presented by the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services (IAJVS), during the organization's Annual Conference in New York City last spring.

Established in 1997 to honor the memory and outstanding service of former JVS president Bernie Rosenthal, the award honors an executive director who personifies Rosenthal's outstanding example by tirelessly devoting time, expertise and energy to the welfare of IAJVS consumers and colleagues. In his presentation David Saltman, CEO, Jewish Community Services of South Florida and Treasurer of IAJVS, cited David Marcu's abiding dedication to Israel Elwyn's belief that "everyone deserves the chance to be an active participant in society through inclusive, rather than exclusive, interaction". He praised Mr. Marcu's leadership, his achievements at Israel Elwyn, the role he plays as "a vibrant partner within the IAJVS network" and his commitment to the professional development of his staff.

In recommending him for this award, an Israel Elwyn stall member wrote: "David Marcu is an extraordinary person and an exceptional leader. His personal integrity and dedication to each individual's humanity regardless of their disabilities, is evident to all who know him and work with him. He brings these qualities to everything he does and everyone he encounters, inspiring commitment and loyalty".

Despite the honor of the IAJVS award and the international recognition, there can be no greater accolade than the respect and praise he receives form the Israel Elwyn family.