Developing TZAHAR

The director of IEL had the opportunity to visit ‘TZAHAR’, an acronym for three cities in the Galilee: Safed (Tzfat), Hazor HaGelilit and Rosh Pinna. During the tour he was impressed by the high technology companies and factories that are located in the industrial zone.  He also met with municipality officials and local businessmen Haim Ohayon and Nissim Nissimyan, who are making the impossible their everyday reality. Their Zionism  is giving them the power turn the Galilee into the pearl of the north.
Now it’s IEL’s turn, as they said, to help contribute to the development of this region. Bring more businesses, companies and interested foreign investors to invest in those growing potential opportunities.

Lend a Hand to a Special Child

On a sunny winter’s day in December, I find myself in the Lubavitcher village of Kfar Chabad, about five miles south and east of the coastal city of Tel Aviv.  The setting is rural and peaceful but in reality, beyond the calm, this communal Hasidic hub is an industrious hive of activity.  I am here to learn about how much is done for both youth and adults who have specific challenges with conditions ranging from congenital abnormalities, disorders and syndromes to acquired injuries and developmental delays and other physical or mental handicaps.  I meet Zachariah Landau, the director of Lend a Hand to a Special Child and am impressed by his quiet manner yet enthusiasm and genuine love of all that he and his team do.

Their promotional video gives me a little taste of the amazing work done throughout the country.  It is heartening what is done at the Mendy and Goldie Lipshitz House otherwise known as the Regesh Therapeutic Center.  It is a unique treatment and therapy facility that supports families with children who have special needs; offering Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Speech therapy and facilitating many other extremely practical and useful resources enabling children to gain independence and purpose as well as instilling confidence.

Another very unique facility is the Carmela and Abraham Retreat Center based in Haifa.  It was established in early 2013 in order to give children with special needs an opportunity to learn life skills while experiencing a wonderful vacation.  While the child is there, his family benefits from being able to go away and have a much-needed break while their child is receiving 5-star care in a hotel manned by loving volunteers.  The weekends see children with autism and other special needs arriving in shuttles from all over the country accompanied by volunteers who make sure that all their needs are met while the young ones have so much fun the happiness shows on their beaming faces!  The center was established on premises allocated by the municipality and then renovated to meet specific “Special Needs” criteria.  It has 25 beds, 5 guest rooms, a dining room, a refurbished kitchen, a library and rooms with play-equipment all meeting the standards of Health and Safety inspections.  Of course, the whole facility is wheelchair accessible and caters to all kinds of sensory needs.  There is a substantial outdoor area with lawns and playgrounds appealing to the youths of all ages.  All the funds for this facility come from donations and all the workers are volunteers; truly remarkable.

I was introduced to two other projects.  One was the Special in Uniform program where young adults who long to contribute to their country but are challenged in some way and unable to be part of regular army units, get to overcome immense obstacles and join a special unit, feeling completely integrated and valued!  To wear the IDF uniform and be trained to participate in activities is a tremendous accomplishment.  The participants and their parents who have worked with them over the years are understandably proud.

The other project is the Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration program which gives special needs children the opportunity to participate in their coming-of-age ceremony, an integral part of Jewish life, and have incredible experiences at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, and even an opportunity to go to Masada and go via cable-car to the top and share in a meal with IDF soldiers.  The unspeakable joy is written all over their faces.

What an honor and privilege it was to be able to get a tiny glimpse of the incredible work done here.  You too could be blessed as you support these projects and Lend a Hand to a Special Child.

 

 

Reminder – Who we are

IEL (Israel Empowerment Lobby) is an organization supported by Knesset parliamentarians, which along with city mayors, businessmen and other high-ranking officials and diplomats promotes understanding between Judaism and Christianity, by building broader support for Israel and other shared concerns.
We recognize the contribution Christians from all around the world are making toward the State of Israel and to the welfare of the Jewish people, and we wish to bring it to the attention of the Israeli population.
Our vision is that Jews and Christians will reverse their 2,000-year history of discord and replace it with a relationship marked by dialogue, respect, and cooperation. In recent years, we have become leaders in Jewish-Christian relations; building bridges of goodwill that have led to greater understanding and cooperation between members of these two great faiths.
* IEL seeks to build a direct line of communication, cooperation and coordination between the Israeli political leaders and Christian leaders around the world.
* IEL is a network of world-wide contacts enabling national and international ties with Israeli and Christian businessmen. We are committed to fostering business contacts with each other, exchanging ideas, products and services; helping to sustain and strengthen each other physically and spiritually.
* IEL is committed to reaching out to Christians all around the world, in order to mobilize greater support and understanding for the State of Israel and the Jewish people.

* IEL is seeking strategic Partnerships, in order to expand our international activities for the sake of the state of Israel.