When nearly 1000 Falashmora Jews arrived in Jerusalem from Ethiopia in 1998, they were in poor health and suffering from many of the diseases commonly found in the Third World- gastrointestinal disorders, eye and skin disorders, and an alarmingly high rate of infectious diseases.

Communication was difficult because of the language barrier. But it soon became evident that the language was only part of the problem. The Falashmora had no concept of western medical practices. This made accurate diagnosis extremely difficult, and when a diagnosis was made, compliance was poor because of their basic lack of understanding. Even what we consider basic hygiene practices were new to them.

It was soon realized that the first step needed to be an education program. With cooperation from the Joint Distribution Committee- Israel and the Jerusalem Municipality, The Children of Israel Foundation constructed a Health Center at Givat HaMatos, the site where the Ethiopian refugees live.

The new Center has brought new hope and life into the community, giving the residents an opportunity to participate in group and individual educational programs about hygiene, home accident prevention, nutrition, proper use of medicines, use of health services, dental health, basic child care and child development, family planning, and the coordination of other health facilities.

The Children of Israel Foundation Health Center was officially opened in November 1999, and has been a beacon of hope for the Falashmora ever since. Arriving in a new land not knowing the language or western culture, and often very ill, the Center has provided them with more than just medicine. It has brought unity, has helped erase the fear of being in a new land, and has been instrumental in helping these wonderful people integrate into society and to become the best they can be. We thank those who have given so generously to such a worthy cause and have blessed the lives of so many.

I want to help the Givat HaMatos Health Center.

The PAT neighborhood in southern Jerusalem is home to many recently immigrated Jews from Russia and the Former Soviet Union. Many of these people left behind good jobs and family for the sake of freedom and the right to return to Israel. Over the past ten years, Israel has absorbed almost a million refugees from the Former Soviet Union, a task unparalleled in the history of the world.

Recognizing the great challenge facing these families, The Children of Israel Foundation, in cooperation with the Municipality of Jerusalem, supports a neighborhood Community Center to offer a variety of services to people of every age.

Children and youth join in recreational and educational activities, ranging from karate to dance classes, celebrate the holidays, and do service for those in the community. The opportunity to play several sports is offered. The Center is a gathering spot where children and youth can join with others their own age to play games, learn, or just hang out in a safe environment.

Adults are offered the chance to learn Hebrew in an "Ulpan" setting- classes of total immersion that are offered several mornings each week. This is a wonderful service that prepares them for the work force and every day life in Israel.

An employment center is also run from the Community Center, allowing people the opportunity to upgrade their skills and resumes, and seek appropriate job placement in the community. This is a great way for people to market themselves and find work to become self-sufficient.

The elderly love to come to the Center at all times of the day for special activities ranging from holiday and birthday observances to educational lectures, cultural programs, and family activities. Most of these programs are run and organized by the people themselves, giving them great satisfaction and a sense of worth and responsibility.

The PAT Community Center is a place where families can be strengthened, individual self worth and skills improved, and meaningful activity brought into the lives of all ages and backgrounds. It is truly a unifying influence and a place of hope and joy to so many people of every age. It is vitally important to maintain the Center to preserve the solidarity of these families and help them progress.

Tell me how I can help the PAT Community Center.

The sages said "God gave ten portions of beauty to the earth, and nine of them He gave to Jerusalem." And yet, there are 1100 children who live in Jerusalem who have never seen its beauty at all, because they are blind. 500 of Jerusalem’s children will never hear the Shofar blow on Rosh Hashana, the Mezunim calling them to prayer, or the sound of their mother’s voice singing them to sleep, because they are hard of hearing. Another 4000 beautiful children will face an uphill battle in life because of some kind of mental or physical handicap.

The Children of Israel Foundation has undertaken a major project to help these unfortunate children obtain a brighter future. In conjunction with The Municipality of Jerusalem, and several organizations within the City, we aim to maximize the potential of these disabled youth and provide facilities where they can be taught and loved by some of Israel’s most skilled and dedicated teachers.

These programs come with a price. At Micha, a wonderful facility for the hearing impaired, 20 Arab and 20 Jewish children are given wonderful care and taught skills to help them live a normal life. But there are many more who cannot attend because of lack of funding. A cochlear implant for a deaf child costs $25,000 US. The cords and special batteries to make the implants work cost $90, and must be replaced every three months. A mobile hearing unit would bring new-found hope to many, especially those living in East Jerusalem, but such a unit would cost $250,000. Kindergarten is only held three mornings a week because of lack of funding.

There are similar excellent programs in Jerusalem for the blind, and for the physically and mentally handicapped. There are sheltered workshops to teach skills to let them be productive; art, film, and photography classes; sporting activities like karate, tennis, swimming, and horse back riding. But the story is the same. There is not enough money to offer these children the kinds of programs to make them as independent as possible. Or enough money to let all that need to be involved, become involved. Programs and skills that let them find joy and pride in what they do, programs that enable them to be productive and find a place in the community. Programs that let them become…normal.

A handicapped child can be a joy and a blessing, but presents challenges too. The greatest joy and blessing in life is a healthy child. One of life’s biggest challenges is a child with a handicap. The parents of Jerusalem, Arab and Jew alike, carry on with amazing courage and determination to help their special children become the best they can be, often against incredible odds. You can help make life brighter for them. Your contribution brings more teachers, more high-tech equipment, more opportunities to more children to grow and develop, to learn, to become independent. To be normal.

Yes, I want to help Jerusalem's Special Needs Children.

Russian Jews
Arrive in Israel

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people… and he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." (Isaiah 11: 11-12)

A modern day miracle has happened in the past ten years as the doors of the Former Soviet Union have been opened and Jews have flooded "from the north" into Israel. There are still hundreds of thousands of Jews living in the FSU, many of whom are aged or infirm and live under desperate conditions. Still many others wish to emigrate to Israel but lack the funds to do so. The Children of Israel Foundation, in conjunction with The Jewish Agency and The Joint Distribution Committee, aims to help improve the plight of these unfortunate people by supplying medical care, goods and services, and assisting with emigration before the doors close again. We need your help in physically assisting with the Gathering of Israel as prophesied by all of the prophets, both ancient and modern. Your contribution will provide the way for so much suffering to be alleviated, and will help these covenant people return to their promised land.

Yes, I want to help with the Gathering of Israel.

The Children of Israel Foundation, in conjunction with Collegium Aesculapium, an army of LDS physicians 900 strong, stands ready to assist Israel should the need suddenly arise. If you are willing to be part of this group, and are a physician or other allied health practitioner, please see the Get Involved page for registration instructions.

Nitzan - An organization that treats handicapped children in their Jerusalem branch.

Micha – Micha deals primarily with deaf people and the program they chose to finance is a program in East Jerusalem for deaf Arab children.

Jerusalem Community Health Centers – The center mainly treats ultra-Orthodox people in need of dental and health care services. Your support will allow the center to develop a therapeutic center in the center’s basement, which will provide hundreds of ultra-Orthodox children with therapeutic classes including the use of special equipment.

Jerusalem Scouts – Support for activities between the Jerusalem Boy Scouts and handicapped children.

Art Album of the Mentally Handicapped – We are currently in
the process of publishing a 120-page album which will highlight the artwork of mentally challenged people. The book is the result of three art exhibitions which have been organised in Jerusalem over the last few years.

Jerusalem Zoo – The Education Department of the Jerusalem Municipality has initiated a program which aims to provide regular
interaction between handicapped school children and animals at the zoo in order to increase their ability to express affection, love and care. This year we conducted the pilot program which was extremely successful.

Yes, I want to get involved.