Last Monday, the students at Maoz Yerushalayim High School participated in their very own two-day winter retreat on the theme of “With all Due Respect.”

Shoham - Day-Hab Center

Rehabilitation | Empowerment | Capability

The goal of Seeach Sod’s Day-Hab centers is to help each participant achieve maximum independence. Individuals with higher levels of functioning take an active part in daily activities – preparing meals for themselves, shopping, washing dishes, and more. The staff uses advanced technologies and devices to assist individuals at lower levels of functioning attain as much independence as possible.

Target Population: Adults ages 21 and up who require assistance in accomplishing basic daily tasks, such as going to the store, traveling by public transportation, independent eating, maintaining personal hygiene, etc.

Staff: Counselors, social workers, medical nurse, paramedical professionals. The staff becomes fully acquainted with each participant, learning about their preferences and hobbies and doing the utmost to ensure his or her comfort and optimal independence.

Hours of Operation: 7:30-3:30, with additional afternoon hours until 5:30.

We believe in each individual’s capability, and we continuously strive higher and higher.

“I took a tour of the Women’s Day-Hab program, and I was moved to tears. To sum up in one word what moved me, it was dignity. I wasn’t presented with activities, objectives, or success stories. I was shown individuals – people who were created in the image of G-d – who were given the gift of joy. The staff knows which tune makes the person happy, which angle his foot should rest at so that it is less painful for him, how she can express herself despite the fact that she can barely move her limbs, doesn’t see, and doesn’t speak. (A simple solution that is just unbelievable: They record daily events from home on a device that she can operate using her elbow, so that she can “tell” about her experiences, and they record events at the center so that she can “talk” about her day when she gets home!)

- From the Day-Hab Center guestbook

9.2.2020

On February 9^th, 100 students from the Darchei Binah Seminary participated in a special Tu B’Shvat program at Seeach Sod’s women’s vocational program. The girls enjoyed a festive “amen” seuda together. There was an array of fruits and other food, and each bracha was recited aloud and responded to with a roaring “amen!” The climax was when everyone danced together. Thank you Darchei Binah for leaving a lasting impression at Seeach Sod. 

4.2.2020

On February 4^th, a group of young men from South Africa who are studying in Ohr Somayach came to visit Beit Metzudot, Seeach Sod's school for boys with severe communication disorders and intellectual disability. Rav Beller, the principal, gave the boys incredible insight into the daily life of the students. The young men from Ohr Somayach left on a high and promised to come back and volunteer weekly.

Yeshivat Otzar HaTorah

About Us

Our goal is to provide students with a full yeshiva experience in an authentic Torah environment, with emphasis on Torah study and learning with a chavrusa. At the same time, we emphasize professional training for future employment, independence, and functional skills

We believe in our students’ ability to live independent lives and to integrate and contribute to their families and communities.

Target Population

Boys ages 14-21 with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.

Staff

Teachers and Rabbeim who have been trained in special education.

Hours of Operation

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Vacations parallel those of the Ministry of Education.

Curriculum

The teachers and staff at Yeshivat Otzar HaTorah, the only yeshiva of its kind for young men with intellectual disabilities, have constructed a professional pedagogic curriculum for gemara and Jewish studies on the school, class, and individual levels. The curriculum places emphasis on learning skills and understanding concrete ideas. Every class includes both theoretical studies and accompanying skill tasks. For example, when the students study a mishna on the topic of the different times of day, they participate in activities on the concept of time.

Preparation for Employment

Time is set aside in the yeshiva schedule for courses that prepare students for future employment. Students volunteer at Shaarei Tzedek Medical Center and at Chasdei Naomi.

Social Life

We encourage social activities and provide a wide range of experiences and opportunities for community integration. We often host important rabbinic leaders and teachers, as well as well-known public figures and singers, such that our events are particular exciting and significant in the eyes of the students.

Community Integration

Students learn about proper conduct in public, appropriate behavior during prayer, and how to honor elders. It is a pleasure to take them to shul!

Independence

The yeshiva runs a comprehensive program to advance the students in the realms of motor ability, reading and comprehension, and independence.

Professional Staff

The goal of Yeshivat Otzar HaTorah is to help our students achieve maximum functional independence and academic achievement. To this end, our staff includes occupational therapists, speech therapists, and physical therapists.

Supportive Infrastructure

Pool, Snoezelen room, activity areas

Address: 32 Chakmi, Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem

Phone: 072-264-0595

Principal: Rabbi Nachman Kliger

Registration Department:

Phone: 02-640-5025/ 053-312-3184

Fax: 02-640-1525

Email: [email protected]

Ashira School

for Girls with Complex Disabilities

About Us

Ashira provides a professional and pleasant learning environment for girls with intellectual disabilities and those on the autistic spectrum. Our goal is to help these girl achieve maximum quality of life and independence. We love and respect each and every student, and we believe that it is possible to lead each one towards greater interpersonal communication and self-motivation.

Professionalism and Enrichment

Occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, emotional therapy, assisted communication technologies (including personal iPads and computers), music, sports, art, puppet theater, hydrotherapy, animal therapy, therapeutic horseback riding.

Target Population

Girls ages 6-21 with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities and/or autism.

Professional Staff

Our staff includes certified special education teachers, health professionals, , social worker, guidance counselor, medical counselor, school nurse.

Hours of Operation

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Vacations parallel those of the Ministry of Education.

Independence

One of our most important goals is encouraging independence, beginning with basic skills, such as eating, and including more complex tasks, such as using public transportation. All activities are broken down into smaller skill-sets that are practiced repeatedly, until the final goal is achieved.

Accessibility

The classrooms, curriculum, and professional guidance are provided in accordance with the specific needs, disabilities, and functional level of each student.

Advanced Technology

At Ashira, we utilize many advanced and innovative technologies to help our students advance. These include iPads and communication devices to encourage interpersonal communication and self-expression. In addition, we use sophisticated equipment for specific complex disabilities, including a computer that assist in focusing visual attention, as well as special physical therapy equipment.

Interpersonal Communication

The students at Ashira learn social skills and appropriate interaction with their environment. Our curriculum, which focuses on alternative communication skills and speaking up for oneself, encourages students to initiate communication, articulate their needs, and make choices on their own.

Integration in the Community

Ashira runs an inclusion program to help the students learn about proper conduct and tact in social settings.

Personal Safety

Ashira has a comprehensive personal safety curriculum

Hygiene and Appearance

The students at Ashira learn about proper self-care. They are toilet-trained and achieve a high level of ability in the realms of personal hygiene and self-care.

Preparing for Adulthood

Beginning in 9^th grade, the students take courses geared towards attaining skills that will help them in their adult lives.

Age and Community Appropriate

All activities at Ashira are run to parallel those of schools in the general religious community. Classes are divided by grade level, there is a school uniform, and the students learn skills and subjects that are studied by their counterparts.

Benefits

• Seeach Sod has achieved international recognition for its professional approach to special education.
• Infrastructure: hydrotherapy pool, therapeutic horseback riding, Snoezelen room under one roof.
• Wide range of professional staff, including a nurse, physical therapist, guidance councelor, occupational therapist, and speech therapist.
• Support for parent, including personal guidance, workshops, and parents’ evenings.
• Social activities and experiences

Address: 7 Adrikal, Jerusalem

Phone: 02-640-5045

Principal: Mrs. Ella Biderman – 053-312-3162

Registration Department:

Phone: 02-640-5025/ 053-312-3184

Fax: 02-640-1525

Email: [email protected]

In Talmud Torah Otzar Yerushalayim, students enjoy a home economics class with veteran teacher Mrs. Sarah Donath.

The celebration took place on Tuesday, 17 Tevet, and was attended by administration, staff, friends, and Gavriel’s extended family, who came from across the country. Everyone came to celebrate together with Gavriel, who sat at the dais and greeted all of his guests with great excitement.

27.1.2020

On January 27th, the students of the Bnot Torah Seminary (Sharfman's) performed a beautiful song melody for the girls in our elementary and high schools, followed by an interactive art program in the classrooms. It was so hard to say goodbye to these amazing seminary girls! On the spot, we invited them back to visit a different campus - and bring their smiles with them!

Over the course of the Siyum HaShas celebrations, Seeach Sod's Pirchei Seeach Choir had the pleasure of performing at numerous venues, including the Siyum HaShas for Engish speakers in Binyanei HaUmah and at the siyumim in Orna Stadium, Yad Eliyahu, and Beit Tovei Ha-Ir.