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  • 1984

    1984

    Jerusalem Elwyn is established on the initiative of the Jerusalem Municipality and the Government of Israel, as an offshoot of the American nonprofit, Elwyn, Inc

    Among the first programs: Occupational Training Center (OTC) and Adult Day Center

    1984
  • 1987

    1987

    Opening of Israel’s first supported employment program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

    1987
  • 1988

    1988

    Management of Jerusalem’s Supported Living Services (formerly “the Swedish Village”) is transferred from the government to Israel Elwyn

    1988
  • 1989

    1989

    Opening of the first supported employment program for individuals with disabilities referred by the National Insurance Institute’s Rehabilitation Department

    1989
  • 1991

    1991

    IE assumes management of the Dvora Agmon Preschool Center, founded in 1971 by the late Prof. Naomi Amir, which maintains an international reputation for the education, training and care of children with cerebral palsy and communication disorders

    1991
  • 1992

    1992

    Community Living Services apartments established in Jerusalem

    Early Intervention Center (for ages 18 months to three years) opened at Dvora Agmon Preschool Center

    Training Center for supported employment established at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center

    Opening of program for adults with autism at Jerusalem’s Adult Day Center

    1992
  • 1996

    1996

    The 18+ program was established, a unique transitional program to prepare high school students in special education for the world of work

    1996
  • 1997

    1997

    Israel Elwyn’s community services and management move to the new Sabbah Center building in Jerusalem

    Direct Mail Social Enterprise established at Moshav Ora (near Jerusalem)

    Haifa & Northern Israel branch opened at the request of the Municipality of Haifa, providing a continuum of employment services at the Hosen Center, Adult Day Center, and the Employment Training Center

    1997
  • 1998

    1998

    Name changed from Jerusalem Elwyn to Israel Elwyn

    First job training course established, focusing on the food service industry (“Mirkam”)

    Establishment of Mandell Exchange Program, funded by the Samuel P. Mandell Foundation, enabling annual week-long visits with overseas professionals in Israel and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA)

    Israel Elwyn begins operating as an independent entity, ending its managerial ties with Elwyn, Inc

    1998
  • 1999

    1999

    Job training programs initiated in the western Negev and in Beit Shemesh for individuals with disabilities referred by the National Insurance Institute

    Early Intervention Program for toddlers 1-3 years of age opened in the Adult Day Center in Haifa

    Israel Elwyn joins Inclusion International, an international umbrella organization for nonprofits working towards the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in the community

    1999
  • 2000

    2000

    Job Training Program opened in Be’er Sheba, for individuals with disabilities who are referred by the National Insurance Institute

    2000
  • 2001

    2001

    Program for retirees with disabilities opened at Sabbah Center in Jerusalem

    Inclusive preschool opened in East Jerusalem

    Israel Elwyn joins IAJVS (International Associate of Jewish Vocational Services) – a network of Jewish organizations in North America and Israel that offer employment and vocational services to individuals with disabilities

    2001
  • 2002

    Direct Mail Social Enterprise moves from Moshav Ora to the Talpiot Industrial Area

  • 2003

    2003

    Afternoon Enrichment Services opened in Haifa for students from the Gil Special Education School

    2003
  • 2004

    Masad course established to train individuals with disabilities in providing logistical assistance to the elderly and other populations, in their homes

    Digital Archiving Social Enterprise established in Jerusalem

    Israel Elwyn celebrates its 20th anniversary

  • 2005

    2005

    Israel Elwyn residents who volunteered in the “Everyone Can Contribute” program receive Shalem Fund Award for Excellence

    Drama group established at Israel Elwyn’s Community Living Services in Jerusalem – the play “I’m Inspired” premieres at the Israel Museum

    The Pat Forum for Israeli organizations that operate rehabilitation employment programs created at Israel Elwyn’s initiative

    Florida’s South Palm Beach Federation and Boca Raton Jewish Association for Residential Care (JARC) begin a collaboration with Israel Elwyn

    2005
  • 2006

    Israel Elwyn is chosen to manage the municipal continuum of employment services in Ra’anana for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities

    Inauguration ceremony of an operating garden at the Sabbah Center in Jerusalem

    Opening of a supported employment training program on the topic of the transition to employment, funded by JDC Israel. The program is delivered nationwide by Israel Elwyn to entities that provide services to individuals with disabilities

    Opening of the Tzomet Employment Center in Beit Shemesh. The center supports the acquisition of skills in preparation for the competitive job market for individuals with disabilities who are referred by the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs

  • 2007

    2007

    Katie Manson Sensory Garden inaugurated in Jerusalem

    Shalem Fund Award received for the Digital Archiving Social Enterprise

    Kibbutz Usha’s Early Intervention Center opened, Haifa & Northern Israel branch

    Beit Bloom building opened on Israel Elwyn’s Supported Living Campus in Jerusalem

    Photography exhibition at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens by residents of Israel Elwyn’s Supported Living Program

    Inauguration of Beit Hanan’s supported apartments in Jerusalem

    2007
  • 2008

    2008

    Dedication of the Feinstein Building on Jerusalem’s Legacy Heritage Campus to house the Dvora Agmon Preschool and the Roizman Early Intervention Center

    Israel Elwyn selected to provide supported employment services in all regions of Israel by the rehabilitation department at the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs

    Israel Elwyn selected by the Municipality of Ashkelon to provide employment training and other employment services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

    The Early Intervention Center in Karmiel opens to serve children with autism from the Galilee and northern Israel

    The Stein Early Intervention and Family Center dedicated in Haifa

    Israel Elwyn influences the expansion of the Early Intervention Center legislation in the Knesset

    International exchange between young adults from Israel Elwyn and JARC (Jewish Association for Residential Care in Boca Raton, Florida)

    Following the opening of Israel Elwyn’s 18+ program, the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs selects Israel Elwyn to develop the new transitional program, Creating a Future, to prepare graduating students for the world of work

    Kfar Yona selects Israel Elwyn to develop a continuum of supported employment services.

    The Knesset enters into a standard employer-employee relationship for individuals with disabilities, supported by Israel Elwyn and other organizations

    Construction of Weinberg Center for Nutrition in Jerusalem completed

    2008
  • 2009

    2009

    Kfar Yona Regional Employment Training Center opens

    Israel Elwyn employees participate in the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs’ sixth conference “Whose Life is This?” in Tel Aviv

    After years of collaboration, Israel Elwyn is selected by the national Aroma Cafe chain, as a community partner

    2009
  • 2010

    The cornerstone is laid for the new Albert Beresin Employment Training Center in Haifa

    Establishment of support and guidance group for parents and siblings of aging individuals with disabilities living in Israel Elwyn’s Supported Living Program in Jerusalem

    Opening of the Academy for Continuing Education to offer ongoing, comprehensive training programs, seminars, conferences, lectures, and workshops for a variety of audiences, including professionals, and individuals with disabilities and their families

    Expansion of Early Intervention Centers in Karmiel and the Krayot, Haifa & Northern Israel branch

    New program opened in Jerusalem at Israel Elwyn’s Sabbah Center for special education students with cerebral palsy to prepare for the world of work

    Fully accessible women’s health clinic opened at Israel Elwyn’s Supported Living Program in Jerusalem, for regular checkups and treatment on site. Equipment includes an adapted examination table with adjustable height, and an ultrasound machine.

    Israel Elwyn’s supported employees with disabilities are recognized in the cultivation of Jerusalem’s sports fields, as part of a public-private partnership between the Municipality of Jerusalem, Aroma Israel Ltd., and Israel Elwyn, at a ceremony hosted by Jerusalem Mayor, Nir Barkat

    Willner Gardens dedicated in the presence of primary donor, Morris Willner and family; Jerusalem Mayor, Nir Barkat; Chief Rabbi of Israel, Yona Metzger; representatives of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs and the National Insurance Institute; residents from Israel Elwyn’s Supported Living Program in Jerusalem and their families; and Israel Elwyn staff. With the completion of this project, Israel Elwyn’s main campus in Jerusalem is now completely accessible

  • 2011

    2011

    The Creating a Future transitional program for special education students ages 16-21 is expanded to schools in Tel Aviv

    Beginning of a collaboration with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem: Direct employment of employees with disabilities at the Ein Kerem Campus, and transfer of 1,000 technical drawings from the campus to Israel Elwyn’s Digital Archiving Social Enterprise in Jerusalem

    Cooperation is initiated with the McDonald’s chain that owns 154 restaurants in Israel, in hiring employees with disabilities, who are supported by Israel Elwyn

    Establishment of a continuum of employment services in Herzliya

    2011
  • 2012

    2012

    One day seminar on “Removing the Barriers to Employment of Individuals with Disabilities” held at the Knesset, in a partnership between: Israel Elwyn, the Knesset, Tevet – JDC Israel and IAJVS, as part of the World Council of Jewish Community Services’ (WCJCS) international conference

    On Israel Elwyn’s recommendation, corporate award presented to the Israel Electric Corporation by IAJVS, in recognition of its employment of people with disabilities

    2012
  • 2013

    2013

    Israel Elwyn receives its first Midot Seal of Effectiveness from the Midot nonprofit that evaluates the effectiveness and transparency of Israeli organizations

    Dedication ceremony for the new Albert Beresin Employment Training Center in Haifa, which will provide a continuum of employment services

    First Self-Advocacy Conference for Individuals with Disabilities is held, through a collaboration between Israel Elwyn and Beit Issie Shapiro, to help advance the development of self-advocacy groups and a leadership cadre among individuals with disabilities in Israel

    One day seminar is organized: “We’re All Entitled to Service: Making Medical Services Accessible to People with Disabilities,” in a collaboration between the Henrietta Szold School of Nursing at the Hadassah Medical Center and Israel Elwyn’s Academy for Continuing Education and Supported Living Services

    Israel Elwyn’s Academy for Continuing Education initiates a course in job-oriented computer skills for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

    Nine service recipients with intellectual developmental disabilities successfully complete the first leadership training course in Jerusalem, developed as part of Israel Elwyn’s joint project with Beit Issie Shapira, focusing on leadership of self-advocacy groups

    Israel Elwyn’s Academy for Continuing Education begins collaborating with the Law Clinic for the Rights of People with Disabilities (Law Faculty, Hebrew University) on two projects: 1) lingual accessibility of labor laws and workplace regulations for the prevention of sexual harassment, and 2) workshops about workplace regulations for the prevention of sexual harassment.

    Israel Elwyn’s Retiree Program in Jerusalem expands and moves to its permanent home, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Retiree Center

    Early Intervention Center opened in Kiryat Bialik in temporary quarters

    2013
  • 2014

    Premiere of the play: “Love without Limits” is performed at the Israel Museum by residents of Israel Elwyn’s Community Living Services

    Second Annual Self-Advocacy Conference for People with Disabilities is held with over 100 self-advocates, facilitators and professionals participating

    Professionals from Israel Elwyn’s Supported Living Services begin to participate in meetings of the Knesset’s Health and Social Services Committee on the subject of accessibility regulations for Israel’s medical services

    Israel Elwyn and its partner, the Ortal Human Resources Company, are awarded the National Insurance Institute’s contract for placement of employees with disabilities in the competitive job market

    Israel Elwyn’s and Beit Issie Shapiro’s joint Self-Advocacy Project presented at AAIDD’s (American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) annual conference in Orlando, by professionals from both organizations

    Israel Elwyn awarded contract by the Ashkelon Municipality and the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs to continue operating a continuum of employment services

    Israel Elwyn selected by the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs to prepare young adults with disabilities, who are completing their national service, for the competitive job market through its Reshet (Network) program.

    Israel Elwyn’s new, cognitively accessible booklet, “My Rights at Work,” formally launched

    Initiation of the Mosaic Program, as an umbrella organization providing support and guidance to the Shlomit and Aminadav organizations, for inclusion of people with disabilities in National Service

  • 2015

    2015

    Transitional program to prepare students with disabilities for the competitive job market opens at Elwyn El Quds (East Jerusalem)

    Israel Elwyn’s CEO David Marcu invited by Jerusalem’s mayor, Nir Barkat, to sit on the city’s Advisory Council on People with Disabilities, along with heads of municipal departments, and leaders of nonprofit organizations and other public bodies

    Implementation of quality control regulation (ISO 9001) procedures in programs to augment staff professionalism and improve service

    Members of “Photographing from the Heart,” the photography Social Enterprise developed from an activity at Israel Elwyn’s Kfar Yona Employment Training Center, win the Shalem Fund’s Excellence Award in the category of unique activities by people with intellectual developmental disabilities in the world of work

    Within the framework of training courses funded by the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles – completion of the course for training female service recipients as assistants for early-childhood education, a partnership between WIZO and Israel Elwyn

    2015
  • 2016

    Course organized in collaboration with the Israeli Institute on Cognitive Accessibility to train staff members in linguistically accessible writing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

    Israel Elwyn awarded the Miriam Ben-Haim prize by the Technion in recognition of our work with medical students, as part of a course introducing them to Israel’s medical system

    Transition of residents from the Supported Living Services to Community Living Services, as part of an ongoing process

    One day seminar, facilitated by Israel Elwyn’s Academy for Continuing Education, on “Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace,” for staff members, as part of the process of making employment laws and regulations accessible to service recipients

  • 2017

    2017

    Construction of Early Intervention Center in Kiryat Bialik begins

    The Leonardo Hotel in Netanya (a member of the Fattal group) mounts a permanent exhibition of works from the Social Enterprise workshop: “Photographing from the Heart”

    Israel Elwyn wins several significant contracts – the National Insurance Institute’s rehabilitation department’s proposal for professional rehabilitative support in the Jerusalem & Southern Israel branch; the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affair’s proposal for operating an Early Intervention Center in Kiryat Ata; and the Isfiya local municipality’s proposal for employment services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

    Production of a cognitively accessible booklet on the transition from work to retirement for service recipients

    Israel Elwyn and Beit Issie Shapiro, who initiated the National Self-Advocacy Project in 2011, win the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affair’s category of Special Social Enterprises – National Leadership for Self-Advocacy. The project has enjoyed years of generous support from the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles and the Ruderman Family Foundation

    2017
  • 2018

    2018

    One day seminar in collaboration with the Hadassah Medical Center’s School of Nursing, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, on making hospital emergency rooms accessible for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

    Opening of Retiree Center in Herzliya

    Israel Elwyn wins Ministry of Justice contract to make legal services accessible for children, youth, and adults with disabilities by training the legal system’s staff through education in the field of disabilities

    Residents from the Supported Living Services participate in Inclusion International’s annual conference on the subject of self-advocacy. The conference was held in the UK

    Inauguration of the new Morris Willner Early Intervention Center building in Kiryat Bialik

    2018
  • 2019

    2019

    Opening of accessible courses for people with intellectual disabilities at universities and colleges throughout Israel – “Academic Exposure” at Haifa University, “Equal in Education” at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Herzliya, learning skills course at the Talpiot College in Holon

    Opening of Chef’s Assistant Professional Training Course, in collaboration with Teamim College at Israel Elwyn’s branches throughout the country

    Opening of the Early Intervention Center in Tzfat

    The For a Change volunteer program is awarded The Zero Project entrepreneurial prize at a well-attended ceremony at the UN building in Vienna, Austria

    Israel Elwyn wins a Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs proposal for Early Intervention Centers in Nahariya and Ma’ale Yosef

    Israel Elwyn awarded proposal by the Ashkelon Municipality for Afternoon Enrichment Services program at the Moriah school

    Israel Elwyn wins a Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs proposal for the Tomorrow Project, involving the placement of groups of employees with disabilities in the competitive job market

    The first group of the Shoval program was initiated at Reichman University (formerly, IDC Herzliya)

    2019
  • 2020

    2020

    Israel Elwyn received the Zero Project Award for the Creating a Future transitional program at a ceremony at the UN in Vienna, Austria

    Ofir Akunis, Minister of Welfare and Social Affairs, visits Israel Elwyn’s Academy for Continuing Education

    Israel Elwyn awarded contract by the Ra’anana Municipality for operating retiree programs

    The first group of the Shoval program was initiated at Tel Aviv University

    2020
  • 2021

    2021

    The “Open-Door Employer” social badge campaign was launched to encourage businesses to hire people with disabilities as employees

    Israel Elwyn won the contract to operate the Inclusion in Uniform program, initiated by the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs. The program supports young people with disabilities to volunteer and recruit for military service

    Israel Elwyn was successful in its proposal to operate the Early Intervention Center in Kiryat Ono

    Two new classes were opened in the Early Intervention Centers in Shomera and Nesher

    Another new class was opened in the Early Intervention Center in Kiryat Bialik

    The innovative course at the Vocational College for Dog Training in Tel Mond for young adults with disabilities was opened

    The “Walking and Running for Safety for All” campaign was launched to promote International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)

    An opening ceremony was held for the new Adult Day Center in Ashkelon

    A new Adult Day Center opened in Ramat Hasharon

    The international NJHSA Award was given to the pilot program: “Accessible Legal Services for People with Disabilities”. The program was initiated in a collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and Joint (JDC) – Israel Unlimited and operated by Israel Elwyn

    The Israeli Friends of Israel Elwyn was established

    The first group of the Shoval program was initiated at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

    2021
  • 2022

    2022

    David Marcu was appointed Senior CEO and Margalit Piller was appointed CEO of the organization

    The unique fashion show, “Suits You Perfectly”, was produced to include people with and without disabilities and took place at the Dizengoff Center in Tel Aviv

    David Marcu, Senior CEO of Israel Elwyn, was awarded the 2021 Sylvan Adams Nefesh B’Nefesh Bonei Zion Prize

    The international Zero Project Award was awarded to Israel Elwyn in an official ceremony at the UN building in Vienna, Austria, for the pilot program: Making Legal Services Accessible to People with Disabilities. The program was initiated in a collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and Joint (JDC) – Israel Unlimited and operated by Israel Elwyn

    An opening ceremony was held for the Mimush (Fulfillment) Center in Herzliya

    An opening ceremony was held for our renovated Adult Day Center in Ra’anana

    An opening ceremony was held for the new George and Irina Schaeffer Early Intervention Center in Karmiel

    The opening ceremony was held for the new Early Intervention Center in Kiryat Ono

    Former Minister of Welfare and Social Affairs, MK Meir Cohen, visited Israel Elwyn’s Supported Living Services

    Bader Philanthropies, Inc.’s leadership visited the Weinberg Retiree Center in Jerusalem

    The delegations of the JEVS Human Services organization and Israel Elwyn participated in the Mandell Conference in Barcelona, ​​Spain

    Israel Elwyn participated in the NJHSA Conference in Minneapolis, USA

    Israel Elwyn’s Supported Living Services’ soccer team, in partnership with Hapo’el Jerusalem, won first place in the Special Olympics Israel tournament

    Former Minister of Welfare and Social Affairs, MK Meir Cohen, visited the Weinberg Retiree Center in Jerusalem

    The first group of the Shoval program was initiated at the Technion in Haifa

    Israel Elwyn received the Jerusalem Business Conference Award for our promotion of the inclusion of people with disabilities in gainful employment in the community

    2022
  • 2023

    2023

    Israel Elwyn’s Ilan Gilon Excellence Awards ceremony, in the presence of the Director General of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, mayors, members of the business community and friends. The event received the blessings of the President of the State of Israel

    At the ceremony, excellence awards were given in various categories for contributions and recognition to organizations, business companies, community leaders, and cultural and media personalities who stand out in their efforts to promote and raise awareness about people with disabilities, while removing barriers, prejudices and including them into the community

    IE was presented with two international Zero Project Awards in an official ceremony at the UN building in Vienna, Austria. The first one was awarded, together with the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, for closing down sheltered workshops and promoting the gainful employment of people with disabilities in the competitive job market

    The opening ceremony was held for the new Early Intervention Center in Kiryat Ono

    Former Minister of Welfare and Social Affairs, MK Meir Cohen, visited Israel Elwyn’s Supported Living Services

    Bader Philanthropies, Inc.’s leadership visited the Weinberg Retiree Center in Jerusalem

    The delegations of the JEVS Human Services organization and Israel Elwyn participated in the Mandell Conference in Barcelona, ​​Spain

    Israel Elwyn participated in the NJHSA Conference in Minneapolis, USA

    Israel Elwyn’s Supported Living Services’ soccer team, in partnership with Hapo’el Jerusalem, won first place in the Special Olympics Israel tournament

    Former Minister of Welfare and Social Affairs, MK Meir Cohen, visited the Weinberg Retiree Center in Jerusalem

    The first group of the Shoval program was initiated at the Technion in Haifa

    Israel Elwyn received the Jerusalem Business Conference Award for our promotion of the inclusion of people with disabilities in gainful employment in the community

    The second one was awarded, together with the Beit Issie Shapiro, for establishing and operating the Self-Advocacy program for people with disabilities

    2023

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