Next Sunday, September 7, six extraordinary women from Israel, ranging in age from 62 to 81, will arrive in New York to begin a 10 day visit connecting them with the Jewish community here while representing a special organization that serves close to 300,000 of their fellow citizens afflicted with disabling injuries. Shalom Yisrael of Westchester organized and is sponsoring their visit.
When we think of Israel, most people, I would venture to say, visualize a vibrant, even muscular, society. But the reality is that roughly three percent, some 276,000 Israelis, are seriously disabled. Three thousand a year under the age of 60 suffer a stroke. Two thousand car accidents per year result in serious injury.
For more than 70 years ILAN, a national nonprofit organization throughout Israel, has assisted the disabled regain function in their lives, to not let their limitations define them (https://ilan-israel.co.il/index.php/en/).
The six women representing Ilan-Haifa have unselfishly devoted their time and energy to a special Ilan program incorporating dance with wheelchair-bound disabled. Performances are held throughout Israel (https://youtu.be/3652YU5TmEQ ).
Their volunteer work goes beyond the dance program. They raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with visual, hearing and mobility impairments. They develop programs to promote understanding, awareness and accessibility for the disabled.
During their well-deserved time in America they will speak to students at the Leffell High School and Westchester Hebrew High School. They will visit cultural institutions and tourist spots in New York, see a Broadway musical, and exchange ideas with professional counselors who assist the aging and infirmed. They will be housed by volunteer families and build lasting relationships between our two countries.
The near 40-year old Shalom Yisrael program costs about $20,000 a year. We have no paid administrators. Volunteers handle all aspects of the program. I serve as treasurer of Shalom Yisrael of Westchester.
You may donate by sending a tax-deductible contribution to:
Shalom Yisrael
c/o Murray Forseter
11 Brad Lane
White Plains, NY 10605
Shalom Yisrael, a proud member of Westchester Jewish Council, is a charitable organization. No goods or services are exchanged or received in consideration of a gift. Tax ID # 74-3148036
***No A.I. was used in the writing and editing of this post. The only intelligence employed was my own.***
