Celebrating our Diversity

Israel Elwyn

20 hours ago

Ten Days of Summer. Hundreds of Moments of Joy. ☀️

One hundred and fifty residents from Israel Elwyn's Supported Living Program enjoyed a 10-day summer retreat filled with unforgettable experiences. From visits to the Aquarium and the Israel Museum to clown and circus performances, animal encounters, arts and crafts, science activities, giant soap bubbles, a water day, and, of course, refreshing ice cream and smoothies, every day brought something new to enjoy.

Beyond all the activities, the retreat was an opportunity to step out of the daily routine, try new things, learn, have fun, and experience a true sense of belonging.

A heartfelt thank you to our Supported Living Program staff, our wonderful National Service volunteers, and the team from the Lotem organization for their professionalism, creativity, and thoughtfully adapted activities.

Our sincere thanks also go to nearly 100 volunteers from HaNoar HaMitnadev, WIZO High School, the Taglit-Birthright Israel Volunteering Program from the United States and Canada, and Aish HaTorah, as well as to medical clowns Hannah Appel, Moshe Kahan, and Meirav Alush.

Special thanks to Niv Peleg from Shlomo's Animal Team, Yossi from Flash Photography, Ran Moreno, and Ben Tabib and Bat El Russo from Dogs & Joy, who helped make each day a unique and memorable experience.

We are wrapping up these ten incredible days with a good kind of exhaustion, a great sense of pride, big smiles, and memories that will stay with us for a long time.

This is what a summer of belonging, joy, and meaning looks like. See you at the next summer retreat! ... See MoreSee Less

Israel Elwyn is with Birthright Israel Foundation and Taglit-Birthright Israel.

2 days ago

A Day of Connection, Joy, and Open Hearts 💜 🇮🇱 🇨🇦

A group of women from Canada, visiting Israel through the Taglit- Birthright Israel Volunteering Program, spent a wonderful day with residents of our Supported Living Program, enjoying arts and crafts, singing, sports activities, and plenty of smiles.

During their visit, they also spent time in the therapeutic garden dedicated to the memory of IDF soldier Evyatar Abukasis z"l, the son of Yasmin, a member of our Supported Living Program staff. They learned about his life and planted flowers in his memory.

Thank you for a truly meaningful day filled with warmth and light.

And thank you to our partners at Birthright Israel. ... See MoreSee Less

Israel Elwyn

4 days ago

Equal in Learning, Equal on the Journey 👨‍🎓👩‍🎓🎓

We were excited to celebrate the graduation of the sixth cohort of the Shoval Program at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Thirteen Israel Elwyn service recipients and nine university students learned side by side, studying law, psychology, computer science, new media, and artificial intelligence. But more than anything, they learned from one another.

Shoval (Equal in Education) is a program that promotes the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in higher education. It is designed to strengthen self-confidence, advance equal opportunities, and provide participants with an authentic university experience.

The program was established at Reichman University in partnership with Israel Elwyn and has since expanded to Tel Aviv University, the Technion, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Thank you to all the students, the course staff, and our partners at the Hebrew University for a journey filled with learning, partnership, and meaning.

When we create equal opportunities, everyone grows together. ... See MoreSee Less

Israel Elwyn

3 weeks ago

Sometimes, all it takes is one day of volunteering to remind us of the power of an open heart.

We were delighted to welcome the wonderful employees of Protalix Karmiel to the George & Irina Schaeffer Early Intervention Center in Karmiel.

They arrived with smiles, incredible energy, and so much warmth, turning the day into a true celebration filled with joy, color, and meaningful connections for the children.

There were bubbles floating through the air, arts and crafts, songs, games, and the kind of children's laughter that fills your heart.

But beyond the activities, there was something even more meaningful:
There was presence.
There was generosity.
There was a community that came to tell our children, "We are here with you. You matter to us."

A huge thank you to the employees of Protalix Karmiel for a day filled with inspiration, kindness, and heartfelt giving. We are grateful to have such wonderful partners on our journey. ✨💜

May we continue creating more moments like these, small moments that become lasting memories. ... See MoreSee Less

Israel Elwyn is with ETTA.org.

3 weeks ago

A Journey of Learning, Inspiration, and Partnership

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from the ETTA organization in Los Angeles as part of the Louis Levine z"l Professional Staff Exchange Program, following the warm and inspiring hospitality we received during our visit to Los Angeles this past May. The program is designed to strengthen the partnership between our organizations, promote the exchange of knowledge and best practices, and learn from one another through our shared commitment to expanding opportunities and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. Throughout the week, the delegation visited a wide range of Israel Elwyn's programs and services, met with the people we support, staff members, and leadership, and took part in meaningful professional discussions.

A highlight of the visit was the dedication of the Louis Levine Barista Training Room, attended by Louis' sister, Nina Paul of the United States, together with his niece, Malki Cohen, who lives in Israel, her husband Eli, and their son Nadav. Louis, who was a devoted coffee lover, would no doubt have appreciated having his name associated with a space that provides people with disabilities the training, skills, and opportunities to build meaningful careers. It was a deeply moving moment that beautifully connected his personal passion with a legacy of generosity, opportunity, and inclusion.

Thank you to Josh Taff, Leah Schachter, and the entire team at the ETTA organization in Los Angeles for a week of learning, collaboration, and strengthening the bond between our organizations. Special thanks also to Dr. Michael Held, ETTA's Founder and CEO, and Scott Saliman, Executive Director, for their vision, trust, and commitment to advancing this meaningful partnership between the ETTA organization in Los Angeles and Israel Elwyn. We look forward to many more opportunities to learn, grow, and create impact together. 💜 ... See MoreSee Less

Israel Elwyn is with ‎קק״ל - קרן קימת לישראל‎ at ‎Jerusalem-ירושלים‎.

3 weeks ago

At the Hearing Area of the Sensory Garden, established in memory of Katie Manson z"l, we celebrated her birthday with great joy, love, and excitement.

Participants enjoyed lively music, dancing, and a warm, energetic atmosphere that made the day especially meaningful and memorable. Special thanks to KKL-JNF for their generous support and partnership, and to Etzion, our musical entertainer, who brought incredible energy and brought joy to everyone.

The spirit of connection, community, and celebration that filled the event reflected Katie’s special legacy. 💜 ... See MoreSee Less