Cross Rhythms Paul Calvert talks with Dov Hirth from ALEH about the incredible work they are doing in Israel to help children and their families. Paul: Dov, what is ALEH? Dov: ALEH is an organisation that services children with severe disabilities in Israel. We have four residential facilities: Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Gedera and the Negev. We service on a daily … Read More
Largest special education and rehabilitation center in Israel
Arutz Sheva This year, Simchat Torah came early for Israel’s disability community. On Thursday, October 17, Chol Hamoed Sukkot, ALEH hosted a joyous grand opening celebration for Bet Chayil, its new, state-of-the-art special education school and rehabilitative center in the heart of Bnei Brak, dedicated by longtime ALEH supporters Leo and Susan Noé in loving memory of Leo’s parents, Salomon … Read More
Local Girl Fundraises to Buy Wheelchair for Israeli Pen Pal
By: Jesse Bernstein Jewish Exponent When Elie Klein describes ALEH, he can’t help but plagiarize. But he insists it’s for a good cause. “I know that Walt Disney coined the phrase ‘happiest place on Earth,’” Klein said, “but we can officially take it from him.” ALEH (Advancement and Rehabilitation of Children with Complex Disabilities) is an Israeli organization dedicated to holistic … Read More
Unlikely absorption centers: ‘Olim’ find soft landing in Israel through nonprofit work
While supporting causes they believe in, new immigrants are also able to interact with Israelis in a meaningful way, practice their Hebrew and get acclimated to a very different environment. For most, moving to Israel is the realization of a dream. After years of hoping and planning, making aliyah and taking root in the Jewish state is a joyous and … Read More
The Swimming Pool Helping Israel’s Disabled Community Learn to Walk
ALEH Jerusalem’s hydrotherapy pool was made possible and is generously supported by the Cherna Moskowitz Foundation, Kandiyoti Family and Belgian Friends of ALEH, Alony Hetz, Toto (Israel’s Lottery), Marcia and Philip Cohen, The Doris Pacey Charitable Trust, and the Jerusalem Friends of ALEH volunteer committee. The Algemeiner As the summer heats up, families around the world are taking refuge in … Read More
Meuhedet Appointees Visit ALEH Jerusalem
Following recent appointments within Kupat Cholim Meuhedet’s Jerusalem District, ALEH welcomed the new management appointees for a tour of ALEH Jerusalem’s educational and rehabilitation center. Ro’i Ben Moshe, Deputy Director of Meuhedet’s Jerusalem District, joined by Chief Financial Officer Lital Eisen-Setti and Ruti Ravitz, was deeply impressed with ALEH’s range of community services and the standard of professionalism the … Read More
SPECIAL NEEDS: A NEW REHABILITATIVE PATH IN THE NEGEV
BY Alan Rosenbaum / The Jerusalem Post “The people in the Negev deserve facilities that are as good as, or better than, those that are available for the people in the center of the country,” says Siev-Ner. Doron Almog, a military hero and chairman of ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran, the renowned rehabilitative village that cares for children and adults with severe disabilities, speaks … Read More
As rockets rain down on south, home races to protect wheelchair-bound residents
By Melanie Lidman During a red alert siren, residents of the area near Ofakim, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Gaza, have 45 seconds to reach a protected area. It’s a short time window for anyone to dash to safety, but even more challenging for the 120 residents of the ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran home for people with severe physical and … Read More
A seat at the table: Promoting disability inclusion at the Passover Seder
For children with disabilities, King Solomon’s pedagogical philosophy of “educate each child according to his own way” (Proverbs 22:6) means making the Seder more accessible and focusing on the things they can do rather than the things they can’t. By: Dov Hirth This Op-Ed has appeared on Israel Hayom, Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel, eJewish Philanthropy, Five Towns Jewish … Read More
THIS NEW TOWN WILL BE THE FIRST FULLY INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY IN ISRAEL
By Ben Sales ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran is the only campus created for Israelis with severe disabilities. OFAKIM, Israel — Ayala’s eyes darted around the screen, choosing words and pictures as her teacher asked her rapid-fire questions. Ayala, 11, has a cognitive disability that prevents her from speaking. But she can communicate thanks to a screen that reads her eye movements … Read More
Lifting the Mask of Disability
Times of Israel By: Dov Hirth – Coordinator of Marketing, Development and Special Projects at ALEH If you ask any child to name their favorite Jewish festival, there is a pretty good chance that the answer will be Purim. And with good reason. It’s a nonstop party complete with the giving and receiving of the candy-filled packages, an abundance of … Read More
ALEH Develops Firm Roots in New Jersey
By Harry Glazer The Jewish Link of New Jersey (JLNJ) One truism for a charitable organization seeking to build support is that local connections can make a major difference. This is doubly so for an Israeli non-profit organization seeking to raise its visibility and increase support in the US. One very deserving cause is the ALEH organization in Israel. Founded … Read More
HEIGHTENED HUMANITY: REFLECTIONS OF CANADIAN VOLUNTEERS
The Canadian Jewish News For more than a decade, the Jewish world has known February by a different name: Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM). What began as a grassroots campaign spotlighting the importance of disability inclusion in Jewish spaces transformed into an influential international movement that promotes and inspires initiatives to make synagogues and community centres more accessible, … Read More
‘We won’t hide our child’: Disability campaign launches to promote inclusion
By Francine Wolfisz: Jewish News, Britain’s Biggest Jewish Newspaper February marks Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month, an initiative launched in the UK for the first time by British Friends of ALEH Doron Almog always believed he was prepared for life’s challenges. Rising to the rank of major general in the Israel Defence Forces, he fought in the Yom Kippur … Read More
ALEH, Jerusalem Police Make ‘A Dream Come True’
Over the course of 2018, ALEH, Israel’s network of care for children with severe complex disabilities, developed the “Dreams Come True” project, an initiative that focuses on granting the wishes of the ALEH residents, all of whom are nonverbal. During their daily interactions with the residents, ALEH’s professional staff glean bits of information about what each child wants to see, … Read More
Finchley law Firm supports Israeli children’s charity for Mitzvah Day
Jewish News Britain A Finchley law Firm has got into the Mitzvah Day spirit by creating special Chanukah cards to send to severely disabled children in Israel. Held in honour #Mitzvah4Pittsburgh, associates and partners at OGR Stock Denton Solicitors joined forces over pizza and snacks as they created special sensory Chanukah cards, which will be sent to ALEH in Israel, to … Read More
ALEH SECURES GOVERNMENT BACKING TO ESTABLISH INCLUSIVE TOWN IN ISRAEL’S SOUTH
Five Tows Jewish Times “DANIEL” TO HELP SOLVE ISRAELI HOUSING CRISIS, CREATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ENHANCE ISRAEL’S DISABILITY AND REHABILITATIVE CARE OFFERINGS In September, ALEH (www.ALEH.org), Israel’s network of care for children with severe complex disabilities, announced that it has joined forces with Israel’s Ministry of Construction and Housing and the Merhavim Regional Council to develop a new inclusive … Read More
A Gift For Jerusalem’s Jubilee
By Christians for Israel International.. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem, Christians for Israel asked if you would donate towards a gift to the city, one with future value. With your generous support, Aleh in Jerusalem was able to add a new High Dependency wing to their building. It is now home to people with multiple disabilities, including facilities for education and therapy. Christians for Israel … Read More
Robotics Program Makes Art Accessible to Israeli Youth With Disabilities
eJewish Philanthropy In July, the Gedera-based special education school of ALEH, Israel’s network of care for children with severe complex disabilities, transformed its robotics class into an innovative art program that makes painting accessible to its students with severe complex disabilities, those for whom hand-eye coordination skills are exceedingly difficult to acquire and the manipulation of a paintbrush is an insurmountable … Read More
ALEH Opens Israel’s First Hydrotherapy Pool With Accommodations For Nonverbal Children
In March, the Jerusalem facility of ALEH (www.ALEH.org), Israel’s network of care for children with severe complex disabilities, inaugurated a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool, providing its residents with easy access to the water-based therapies that allow them to build muscle mass, improve mobility and move freely and without pain. The new hydrotherapy center is the first of its kind in Israel … Read More
Making Aliyah for Disability Inclusion and Care
By: Candice Lipschitz In South Africa, where my entire family lives, we had everything. My husband, Yoni, and I were community leaders, had a beautiful home, a good life and a supportive Jewish community. Life was good. But as Jews, we have always had a desire to make Aliyah. However, our careers, community and other reasons made it difficult for … Read More
In an exemplary display of unity, volunteers, soldiers and ALEH participants honor each other on Israel’s Independence Day
The Jewish Voice On Thursday, April 19, residents, staff and volunteers from the Jerusalem facility of ALEH (www.ALEH.org), Israel’s network of care for children with severe complex disabilities, flocked to the Machane Ofer military base near Givat Ze’ev to host a special barbecue in celebration of Israel’s 70th Independence Day. However, what was intended as an event to honor the … Read More
Disability Inclusion: Why Israel Must Turn 70 Years Young
By: Dov Hirth – The Times of Israel As Israel remarkably enters its 70th year, the now-not-so-young country has much upon which to reflect. From becoming the ‘Start-up Nation’ to producing award-winning laureates in multiple disciplines to withstanding countless military assaults via technology and sheer willpower, Israel has established itself as a powerhouse in a great many things, coming a … Read More
ALEH Transforms Jerusalem Marathon Into Celebration Of Disability Inclusion
Queens Jewish Link On Friday, March 9, ALEH (www.ALEH.org), Israel’s foremost network of care for children with severe complex disabilities, transformed the eighth annual Jerusalem Marathon into a celebration of disability inclusion and acceptance. With participants in every race, cheering sections on every sideline, and the largest group at the 500-meter Community Track, including more than 50 “runners” with severe … Read More
ALEH’s ‘Tikkun Olam’ Program Teaching Israeli Teens The Importance Of Disability Inclusion
BREAKING ISRAEL NEWS (JERUSALEM, Israel – February 12, 2018) In September 2016, ALEH (www.aleh.org), Israel’s network of care for children with severe complex disabilities, joined forces with Israel’s Ministry of Education to launch “Tikkun Olam,” an experiential education program that exposes Israeli high school students to peers with disabilities and imparts the importance of acceptance and inclusion through lectures, workshops and … Read More
That’s a wrap!
Twelve youngsters for twelve days in the land! Cooking together, touring together, studying Bible together, cleaning together and escaping the snores of one another together… what a way to Experience Israel! Dinner with locals in Jerusalem For most of the group, it was the first time in Israel. Highlights included hiking Masada, joining local youths at the Western Wall for … Read More
A Dutchman in the desert
The Jerusalem Post / Gloria Deutsch Peter Paul Broekhuisen was a devout Christian – but when he came to volunteer at Aleh Negev it became a life-changing event in several ways. He decided to make aliya, began researching his forebears and discovered deep Jewish roots. Today he is a permanent volunteer, working with children with severe physical or cognitive disabilities … Read More
Education Minister Bennett Lauds Israel’s Only Bnei Akiva Chapter for Disabled Community
The Jewish Link Jerusalem—On Monday, December 4, Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett visited the Jerusalem facility of ALEH (www.aleh.org), Israel’s network of care for children with severe complex disabilities, to mark the opening month of Bnei Akiva activities with Israel’s only chapter for children with severe disabilities. After greeting each of the children in ALEH’s Bnei Akiva chapter individually, the … Read More
Israeli Toddlers With Disabilities Empowered With Mini Motorized Wheelchairs
Breaking Israel News At the beginning of November, ALEH, Israel’s network of care for children with severe complex disabilities, launched a new empowerment project at its residential facility in Jerusalem that provides toddlers with specially-designed motorized wheelchairs, allowing them to take control of their own mobility from the age of one year-old. The small but powerful “Wizzybug” chairs are intended for both indoor and … Read More
ALEH: All People No Limits
Midlife Singlemum Blog This post wasn’t supposed to be about ALEH. It was supposed to be about how my lovely friend Sally-Ann invited me to a charity dinner organised by the committee she’s on. Before I got there I couldn’t even remember which charity it was in aid of. This post was supposed to be about arranging for DD to stay … Read More
EMPOWERING SEVERELY DISABLED CHILDREN WITH ALEH
Kol HaBirah / Rachel Kohn Many college students choose to kick back and relax during their summer vacations, but Jessica Serber highly recommends taking the opportunity to travel and do work you are passionate about. Through the program Onward Israel, Serber, a nursing student in her junior year at George Mason University, spent eight weeks this summer volunteering with ALEH, … Read More
ALEH pays tribute to its guardian angel
JPost / By Sarah Levi The ALEH Jerusalem Ladies Committee honored the memory of its founder, Rivka Chervin-Weinberger, during their 25th Gala Event at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem last Monday. “Rivka was a beloved member of the ALEH family and the greatest proponent of our mission to provide every child with complex disabilities in Israel the opportunity to … Read More
DISABILITY INCLUSION: THE ULTRAMARATHON OF SOCIAL JUSTICE GOALS
Jerusalem Post – By: Shlomit Grayevsky As the summer sun continues to beat down on Jerusalem’s congested roadways, I am continually impressed with the runners who brave the crowds and sweltering heat day after day to get and stay in shape for the Jerusalem Marathon. True, the race is nearly eight months away. But as any marathoner will tell you, the … Read More
UK Chief Rabbi Is Captivated by ALEH’s Disability Care
JEWISH LINK OF NEW JERSEY Jerusalem—On Thursday, May 25, Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, visited the Jerusalem facility of ALEH (www.aleh.org), Israel’s foremost network of state-of-the-art facilities for children with severe complex disabilities, to learn about ALEH’s high-level medical and rehabilitative care and what Jewish communities around the world … Read More
Israel Chessed Mission Participants Come to ALEH Bearing Gifts; Leave Inspired
The Jewish Voice On Wednesday, May 10, a group of 60 students, alumni and faculty from the Yeshiva of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School visited ALEH’s Jerusalem facility as part of their “Chessed Mission to Israel,” a biannual goodwill initiative led by the high school’s Dean of Students, Rabbi Naftali Besser. In addition to an orientation about disability inclusion and … Read More
‘Law and Order’ Unite to Promote Disability Inclusion at Jerusalem Marathon
The Jewish Link / Ayala Asher On Friday, March 17, the Jerusalem Police Department joined forces with four of Israel’s most prestigious law firms for the seventh annual Jerusalem Winner Marathon, working together to raise funds for ALEH (www.ALEH.org), Israel’s foremost network of state-of-the-art facilities for children with severe complex disabilities. Though police officers and lawyers don’t always see eye … Read More
Police to ‘run’ with kids with disabilities in Friday’s Jerusalem marathon
The Jerusalem Post / Daniel K. Eisenbud “This reminds them who they are as human beings and why they became officers in the first place,” says Commissioner Alsheich. For the fourth year in a row, volunteers from the Jerusalem police will chaperon disabled children at Friday’s annual Jerusalem Winner Marathon to raise funds and awareness for ALEH, the country’s leading … Read More
At ALEH it is Chanukah Everyday
eJewish Philanthropy / Maayan Jaffe-Hoffman For the eight days of Chanukah Jews around the world celebrate God’s miracles. But at ALEH (Advancement and Rehabilitation of Children with Complex Disabilities), a network of rehabilitation centers and villages for disabled children and adults in Israel, “every day is a miracle,” said Ayala Amar, head nurse at ALEH Negev–Nahalat Eran in southern Israel. … Read More
My Special Bar Mitzvah with the Children of ALEH
JVN ( Jewish Volunteering Network) In this edition of our blog, Caroline Cosgrove writes about the volunteering she and her son James did for his Bar Mitzvah. Here is her story… In the lead up to the Bar Mitzvah of my son, James, in August 2016, he was considering what he could do to mark the occasion in a meaningful way – one that … Read More
Champion of special needs populations in Israel to share his story in Las Vegas
Las Vegas Sun / Ricardo Torres-Cortez When a doctor told Israel Defense Forces Maj. Gen. Doron Almog and his wife that their baby boy’s mental development would be permanently stalled, he said they felt as if the sky had fallen on them. In 35 years of military service, Almog, a decorated war hero, lost his brother in the Yom Kippur … Read More
Christians for Israel Supports ALEH
24 May 2017 will be the 50th Anniversary of the Reunification of the City of Jerusalem To celebrate Jerusalem’s 50th anniversary, Christians for Israel has decided to raise funds for a very special project – a brand new 2-story High Dependency Wing at ALEH in Jerusalem which will accommodate 24 patients. The new wing will be opened on Jerusalem Day – … Read More
Jewish Runners Take On Berlin Marathon Proudly Wearing Israeli Flags
The Jewish Press / Anav Silverman / The Jewish Voice When 36-year-old Levi Levine crossed the finish line at today’s BMW Berlin Marathon, his emotions far exceeded his personal pride at having successfully finished the 42-kilometer course. “This was my tenth marathon, but my first time running in Berlin,” said Levine, a nurse atShaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem who … Read More
Jewish runners see Berlin marathon as a chance to defy Nazi past
The Jerusalem Post / TAMARA ZIEVE A team of Jewish runners from Israel and the US see their participation in the Berlin marathon as a victorious feat for the Jewish people in light of the country’s Nazi past. Particularly emblematic is the start and finish line of the run at the Brandenburg Gate, a landmark which the Nazis used as … Read More
Netanyahu Visits ALEH’s Rehabilitative Village in the Negev
Israel HaYom / The Jewish Voice / The Jewish Link / Five Towns Jewish Times On Thursday, July 28, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, visited the Negev-based rehabilitative village of ALEH (www.ALEH.org), Israel’s foremost network of state-of-the-art facilities for children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities, to pay tribute to Major General (res.) Doron Almog, recipient … Read More
Why I Love Being a Nurse
Times of Israel / Nili Wittman Being a nurse is difficult. Our job is mentally taxing, emotionally draining, and physically exhausting. The expectations for those in the field are often unrealistic, and in some circumstances the occupational risks are real. Nurses work tirelessly for their patients who are entrusted to our loving and skillful care. We make life and death … Read More
Yom Hazikaron – Personal Commemoration
[translation of article that appeared in Yediot Acharonot, 11 May, 2016 – Remembrance Day] By: Major General (Res.) Doron Almog Chairman, ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran Israel’s National Remembrance Day is etched indelibly within me in each of 3 ways – through my bleeding brother Eran; my parents’ personal “Sacrifice of Isaac”; and the test of self-sacrifice. *My brother Eran, who bleeds … Read More
Israel Prize awarded to Maj. Gen. (res.) Doron Almog
YNet News (Excerpt ) / Elisha Ben Kimon Israel’s 68th Independence Day ended on Thursday night in Jerusalem with the annual awarding of the Israel Prize to 11 pioneers in their fields. Present at the ceremony were President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Supreme Court President Justice Miriam Naor, Minister of Education Naftali Bennett and Speaker of the Knesset … Read More
Israeli Bride Spends Wedding Day with Disabled Children
Only Simchas On a bride’s wedding day usually the day is all about her. This special bride didn’t feel that way on her wedding day. Tehila Hillel focused on that which is most important to her. Hillel is a longtime ALEH volunteer and chose to spend the morning of her wedding with ALEH’s amazing kids. She felt that it was … Read More
ALEH NEGEV CHAIRMAN MAJOR GENERAL DORON ALMOG TO RECEIVE 2016 ISRAEL PRIZE FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIETY
Various Newspapers / On Thursday, March 31, Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett announced that Major General (res.) Doron Almog, the Chairman of ALEH Negev – Nahalat Eran, will receive the 2016 Israel Prize for lifetime achievement and contributions to society and the state. Major General Almog will accept his award in the presence of the Prime Minister, President, Knesset chairperson, and … Read More
Disability Inclusion: Our greatest innovation yet?
Times of Israel / Dov Hirth When I was a kid, I was obsessed with the future. Bred on movies and television shows that depicted a futuristic wonderland, I couldn’t wait to see if our world would actually catch up with our imaginations. Years later, I am thrilled to say that (minus the hover boards) the “future” is even more … Read More