Beit Issie Shapiro

20/11/2025

At Beit Issie, innovation isn’t just an idea - it’s our way of working.
Thank you, Jodie Cohen , for visiting and helping share our story with the world. Check out the feature on NEWSMAX .

18/11/2025

Meaningful Volunteer Day with Cheetah Medical at Beit Issie!

Last week, we had the honor of hosting the wonderful team from Cheetah Medical for a truly meaningful day of volunteering, learning, and shared experiences.

We began the morning with a tour of our various departments, sharing the story and uniqueness of Beit Issie Shapiro.
The team then headed to the school garden, where they restored, cleaned, and organized the space - and the highlight of the day was planting new flowers together with the children. A beautiful moment filled with cooperation, joy, and warmth.

A huge thank-you to Racheli Baum-Pollak Pollak, our Volunteer Coordinator, and Roni Gottlieb Nitsan, Head of Accessibility and Organizational Training, for planning such a meaningful and inspiring day.
And of course, heartfelt thanks to the Cheetah Medical team for your open hearts, your time, and your genuine commitment to creating impact. Thanks to you, we took another step toward making the garden more accessible and enjoyable for the children.

✨ We’re always happy to welcome volunteer groups!
If you’re coming to Israel and looking for a meaningful place to volunteer, we invite you to join us in building a more inclusive and accessible society

17/11/2025

Thank you Greater Miami Jewish Federation as always for your support and highlighting this initiative. We are so proud to have impact and great friends in the incredible community of Southern Florida.

Florida International University (FIU) has teamed with Federation partner Beit Issie Shapiro in a groundbreaking inclusive education initiative for adults with developmental disabilities.

Now in its third academic year, FIU’s Embrace program has adopted the Art of Living course pioneered by Beit Issie Shapiro at Bar-Ilan University in Israel. The program guides students with intellectual and learning disabilities through a three-stage journey fostering personal growth, resilience and self-identity. As Beit Issie Shapiro prepares to extend its programming to other universities — based on its success at FIU — Executive Director Ahmir Lernernoted, “Our inclusive university not only equips student with academic knowledge but also nurtures their identity of capability, empowering them to pursue their aspirations with confidence.”

16/11/2025

Last week, we hosted Israel’s first-ever Health Forum Conference on accessible healthcare for people with disabilities during emergencies.

The Health Forum is part of our Leadership Center, where people with disabilities lead policy change and work directly with the Ministry of Health and the Commission for Equal Rights to advance accessible, respectful healthcare.

This groundbreaking conference brought together people with disabilities, healthcare professionals, and government representatives for real conversation, shared learning, and practical solutions.

The day included expert talks, roundtable discussions, and even a moment of humor from דני גרמייז - לאתגר את אזור הנכוּת - הרצאות ותוכן בלי מגבלות Dani Garmise - reminding us that resilience and optimism carry us through, even in challenging times.

We ensured the event was fully accessible and were moved by the incredible participation from across the country.

This is only the beginning - a powerful step toward a more inclusive, prepared, and compassionate healthcare system for all.

05/11/2025

Last week, we were thrilled to visit Ramaz Middle School in New York!

Over 100 students gathered to hear the inspiring story of Didi, a wounded IDF veteran, and how our Tech for Heroes program has been life-changing in his road to recovery - providing him with customized solutions to regain independence at home after his injury in Gaza.
The students were incredible - engaged, curious, and full of thoughtful questions.

Thank you, Ramaz Middle School, for hosting us and for such a warm welcome!

04/11/2025

Our kids commemorated 30 years since the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin with creating their own class charters - a promise to speak kindly, show respect, and live together in peace.

Yitzhak Rabin believed deeply in respect and understanding between people. He dreamed of a safer, kinder future for everyone living in our country.

At our Special Education School, we held a meaningful ceremony in his memory. The students learned about Rabin and his hope to bring peace to Israel.

In the picture we see Anabelle proudly showing her classes charter promising to support their friends.

We are so proud of our kids for their vision of a kinder future.

30/10/2025

We’re walking together on International Walking Day! 👟

Today we’re celebrating International Walking Day!
Our amazing students from our special education school marked this special occasion with physical activity, healthy living, and plenty of smiles.

Each student joined the walk at their own pace, showing wonderful energy and joy along the way.
At the finish line, everyone got to squeeze their own oranges and enjoy some well-deserved fresh orange juice! 🍊

A huge thank you to Orit Fatal , our wonderful physical education teacher, for organizing this wonderful day so perfectly, and to the amazing school's motor team for making all the necessary adjustments to ensure this day came together in the best possible way.
A huge well done to all our students for their effort, spirit, and those big, happy smiles! 🌞

13/10/2025

Welcome home!

We are overjoyed to see the return of our hero hostages who survived captivity.
We are deeply grateful to all those who fought, were wounded, risked and sacrificed their lives to make this possible.

We continue to wait for the return of those who were murdered - some whose bodies were taken, and others who were kidnapped and murdered in captivity - so they may receive a proper burial in Israel.
We share in the sorrow of their families and loved ones.

We will never forget the heroic soldiers who fell while defending our homeland and all its people.

Our hearts are with the families and friends.

13/10/2025

Two years ago, on Simchat Torah, our world changed.
October 7th marked a national tragedy - a day we will never forget.

This year, as Simchat Torah returns, we are overwhelmed with mixed emotions:
Joy and relief at the return of our hostages - the living, who will begin the journey of recovery, and the deceased, will brought to burial in Israel.
We prayed so much for this moment, and yet, alongside our gratitude,
we feel deep sorrow for those who are not coming back - civilians, soldiers, and heroes of all kinds.

Simchat Torah is a time of renewal - a moment when we begin reading the Torah again from the start.
This year, we hold onto the hope that it marks the beginning of a new chapter:
one of healing, strength, and unity.

At Beit Issie, we are proud to play a role in Israel’s recovery -
supporting mental health, caring for wounded soldiers,
and helping build national resilience.
We thank our soldiers and pray for their safe and prompt return home.

May this Simchat Torah bring light, comfort, and renewal to all.
Chag Sameach

13/10/2025

The sixth guest in our virtual sukkah is Nikki Leviner - a warm and dedicated force behind our UK development efforts. With a deep belief in people and the power of kindness, she helps connect generosity with impact, ensuring that lives are changed in meaningful and lasting ways.

Nikki Leviner:

"The people I am surrounded by, without a doubt: seeing the power of a donor’s kindness touch lives in beautiful ways; the families we serve, whose strength and courage remind me why this work matters; and interacting with a talented team whose hard work make it possible. There is something very special about the spirit of Beit Issie, which is very profoundly caring."

"I’m really proud of our UK Friends Board Chair (Laura Weller) in particular, our Trustees and lay leaders, who invest a lot of time and effort, sharing their energy and creativity, even when they have so much going on in their own lives. In a quiet and committed way, our donors and board are the real agents of change."

"80% of people with disabilities were not born with them. It can touch any of us at any point in time. I’d like to keep opening doors to new possibilities, developing relationships, partnerships, friendships and resources, to ensure marginalised populations are supported to live with dignity and opportunity."

"I speak with family members, and hear their stories, see their tears of relief and happiness. I read the reports and savour the pictures. From toddlers through to the elderly, I feel the tangible imprint Beit Issie makes on peoples’ lives. Each day is deeply rewarding and fills me with faith in people, in purpose and the power of possibility."

12/10/2025

Our fifth guest in the sukkah is Michael Lawrence - Chief Advancement Officer, a visionary changemaker with a global perspective and a deep personal mission. With roots in Jerusalem and a heart dedicated to social impact, Michael brings bold energy and unwavering commitment to everything he does.

Michael Lawrence:

"I love the hunger of the organization. The sense that building a more inclusive society is a journey and it requires innovation, determination and the deepest partnership with people with disabilities.
The idea that an organization can be 45 years strong and yet determined to keep producing, searching for gaps in the system, in our communities is remarkable. They want to share and teach and train nationally and globally so that our world gets better, more welcoming, more empowering for people of all abilities.
It’s very inspiring."

"This week marks two years since the Hamas attack on Israel and the regional wars that followed - a period filled with pain, resilience, and many miracles.
Civil society in Israel, including the nonprofit sector, has been a critical source of strength. Beit Issie was no different.
I’m proud we opened our doors on October 7th to offer free therapies and support - and that two years later, we continue helping wounded soldiers return home and addressing major mental health gaps for people with disabilities."

"In December, I’ll mark five years with the organization. I’m fortunate to work with an incredible team and lay leadership in Israel and abroad - all committed to expanding Beit Issie’s impact.
With over 40% of our income from philanthropy, the responsibility is great. These funds support vital services and drive innovation.
I’m proud to help shape the next five-year plan as part of the Senior Leadership Team"

"Making Aliyah to Israel - my grandfather’s birthplace - I dreamed of making a real impact. Every day, I’m inspired by the philanthropists who fuel our work and trust me as their partner. Disability touches us all at some point in life, and I feel truly privileged to help change lives and build a more inclusive, compassionate Israeli society."

Lawrence