Our Trauma is KNOWING, But not SEEING
What does this war mean for us?
Sigalit from Ramat Gan discusses the unique challenges of the blind and the visually impaired during The War.“All we have right now is our voice.”
How are we are helping in this time of War?
The Jerusalem Institute for the Blind has announced a critical Respite Retreat for the Blind and Visually Impaired, from all across Israel, to be hosted in our dormitories. Our first group of visitors, young adults from Southern Israel , together with family members, are currently gathering on our campus in Jerusalem, where for four days and three nights our staff will give them a sorely needed respite, complete with PTSD services and some entertainment, not to mention desperately needed group-socializing.
Our campus serves as the National Sports Center for the Blind, and as such our brothers and sisters will benefit from our heated indoor pool, our full size gym, and our Trabin Family State of the Art Fitness Center. There's much that we cannot comprehend about this war. To us, one extra component to think about is what this all must be like for someone who is Blind or Visually Impaired with . Beit Chinuch Ivrim and its professionals are here for that.
For Sponsorship please email Robert Katz at r[email protected] for more information, or call 917-721-4664.
-To dedicate a week of respite and programming for 50 people, including food and housing: $12,000 (150 nights total)
-To dedicate a week of respite and programming for a group of 10- $5,000 (50 nights total)
-Any gift of $100 or more will most certainly cover at least the cost of two days and one night per person
-Monies raised above and beyond the needs of this program will go towards the school's scholarship program for Blind and Visually Impaired children.
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- Angel, on the left, and Slavik from Ashdod, on the right, both moved into their new Respite rooms today!
Please note that this clip is in Hebrew.
Slavik, a young man from the south, is moving in. While Angel, one of our own students living with us, invites others to join him in a video that we sent out parents with children who are blind or visually impaired.
Blind and visually impaired young adults getting together in our school for some much need safety, security and camaraderie.
Besides the blind, we invited a boys' school from Israel's southern border to join us for a much needed respite, and they were happy to utilize all of our amenities.
Vision
To redefine blindness as a challenge that can be overcome. To cultivate a world of equality, not just tolerance or inclusivity, in which all blind people can be equal and active members and participants.
Mission
To educate, enrich, and empower visually impaired people across Israel to achieve their full potential and become contributing members of society.
Psychological
Services
Psycho-social services address the student’s psychological growth and interaction with their particular social environment.
Summer
Camps
The Jewish Institute for the Blind sponsors a variety of such camps during the summer break, including an innovative camp for older students.
Vocational
School
JIB encourages its students throughout their academic career and supports them beyond the primary school grades 1-8 with its Vocational School.
We successfully advance our mission by operating a warm and innovative school grounded in cutting-edge research for children with varying degrees of blindness, and a broad array of enriching extracurricular after school activities, supportive services and programs, and vocational training.
Please watch our students' very own music video!
Our Students Create a New Restaurant App for the Blind (with menus recorded in our studios on Campus!)
Impact
JIB’s impact is measurable and transformative. Everyday it is reflected in the confident and happy demeanor of our treasured students. Most children that enter our program are fearful, insecure, and totally dependent on others for their survival. They emerge confident, hopeful, and independent and ready to pursue meaningful occupations and become contributing members of their society. Life is more than just about existing. At JIB we elevate and empower our charges to dream big and reach for the stars.
Education
We operate a school for visually impaired children in the center of Jerusalem for the purpose of teaching and offering rehabilitation to youth and adults with blindness and special needs. The institution was established in 1902, and is now located in Kiryat Moshe. The school sees each individual who walks in the door as an autonomous person, with a critical need for creativity, responsibility, and contribution to their greater community.
Sports
The National Sports Center for the Blind in Jerusalem provides sports opportunities to the blind and sighted population alike, in full integration. The center includes: a semi-Olympic indoor pool, sauna, sports halls, judo hall, treatment rooms, snooze room, studio, and gym. Today, 450+ blind people receive the center's services free of charge. Spouses and siblings up to the age of 18 can also enjoy our facilities.
Connection
The Shahaf Program offers social rehabilitation and leisure activities in partnership with our school for the blind. The program focuses on social connection, utilization of leisure time, and full community integration, with a goal of establishing quality futures in participants' lives. We offer other integration and enrichment activities, including Shabbat dinners, entrepreneur workshops, , leadership groups, hiking and walking events etc.
JIB, Our Friends, Our Family
Always Giving a Helping Hand
Established in the Old City of Jerusalem in 1902, the Institute has grown into a widely respected Jerusalem landmark.
Every dollar donated helps
Donate
With your help, the Jewish Institute for the Blind can continue to provide a framework that promotes the ability of the visually impaired to overcome daily challenges and attain independence and full integration within the community. Together we can provide unparalleled opportunities and support to the Blind and Visually Impaired.
All donations are tax-deductible. EIN #133193296
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Will help provide Special Education and Programming for a Blind Child
Donate
Will help provide rehabilitation and sports activities at the Sports Center