Shalva National Center - 30yrs of Changing Lives

we began Shalva with six children in one after
““When
school program; we were quite frankly overwhelmed.
Never did we believe that thirty years later we would
be serving thousands of children and their families in a
world class center; our children and adults respected
as contributing members of society.”
Kalman Samuels, Shalva’s Founder and President

Tal Kima
Has been attending Shalva every day since he was six years old and
his talent for music was discovered during music therapy. Today he is
a percussionist in the Shalva Band and perfromed simultaneous sign
language translation at Eurovision 2019.
This year Tal received the Presidential Badge of Honor from
the President of Israel for being a role model to so many.

We’re on a mission
to provide quality care for people
with disabilities, empower their
families, and promote social inclusion.
4 SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives

Because we believe all people
deserve the opportunity to
maximize their personal potential.
We develop programs, pioneer therapy and wellness solutions, and create
global communities around the common goal of inspiring hope and changing
the lives of people with disabilities and their families.
SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives
5

Hope
Every
Day
6

Shalva provides a holistic continuum of services for
thousands of people with disabilities from infancy through
adulthood.
Shalva’s comprehensive, life-cycle programs include leading-edge therapies, inclusive educational
frameworks, social and recreational activities, employment training, and independent living.
Support and respite programs enable families to raise their children with disabilities within the
family framework. A thread of inclusion runs through all of Shalva’s programs, empowering people
with disabilities to become contributing members of society. Shalva gives equal access and
opportunity to all participants regardless of religion, ethnic background, or financial capability.
Standards of Management and Partnerships
Shalva’s award-winning programs are authorized by Israeli government ministries and are
certified to provide professional care for every category of disability. Shalva partners with
government bodies, municipalities and cultural establishments to provide optimal care and unique
opportunities for its beneficiaries. Shalva’s excellence in operations, program development,
financial accountability and transparency receive esteemed recognition. In 2018 Shalva was
awarded consultative status to the United Nations.
Charity Navigator
4 Star Rating
GuideStar
Platinum
Iternational
Organization of
Standardization
(ISO)
Midot Seal of
Effectiveness
United Nations
Consultative Status
משרד החינוך
מינהל חברה ונוער
TOTO
Winner
National Lottery
of Israel
Jerusalem
Municipality
National Insurance
Institute
Shalem Fund
Ministry of Labor,
Social Affairs and
Social Services
Ministry of
Education
Ministry of Health
IDF Home Front
Command
Israel Border Police
SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives 7

Programs for Children & Families
Ages 0-18 months
Early
Intervention
Me and My Mommy in Memory of
Maurice Lowinger
Arriving just weeks after birth, infants
with disabilities are guided to achieving
their first developmental milestones
through intensive parent-child therapy
sessions. Parents struggling with
the foreign and isolating reality of
raising a child with disabilities receive
professional guidance to cultivate
fortitude and hope as co-therapists in
their child’s rehabilitative process.
Ages 1–6
Inclusive
Education
Inclusive Day Care and Preschools
Shalva’s Inclusive Day Care and
Preschools offer an enriching
curriculum that promotes the values of
inclusion, individualism, and appreciation
of diversity. A staff of educators, social
workers, and therapists collaborate to
create a vibrant program which nurtures
physical and cognitive growth while
inspiring inclusive friendships. The
preschool prepares children with and
without disabilities for integration into
the mainstream education system by
first grade.
Ages 6–21
Overnight &
Weekend Respite
Dedicated by Susan and Leonard
Feinstein
Children between the ages of 6-21
sleep over at Shalva’s Respite Center
one night a week and two weekends
each month. They receive individualized
guidance in personal care, enjoy
fun evening activities and master
independence skills while their families
receive a rare opportunity to rejuvenate
their spirits and focus on personal
needs.
Ages 6-21
Rehabilitative
Recreation
After School Activity Center in Memory
of Sima & Rubin Wagner
The After School Activity Center is
where Shalva’s children, together
with peer volunteers from the broader
community, enjoy daily therapyoriented
activities such as sports,
drama, arts, music and swimming.
The program’s experiential learning
curriculum prepares children with
disabilities for the transition to
adulthood and the world beyond.
8 SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives

Ages 6–21
Summer Camp
During summer vacation, 300 children
with disabilities participate in day
camps and overnight camps at the
Shalva National Center. Shalva’s camps
uniquely demonstrate both inclusion
and reverse inclusion by enabling
children with disabilities to experience
public attractions and activities
together with peer volunteers from the
broader community.
All ages
Sports and
Wellness
On a daily basis, Shalva’s state-ofthe-art,
disability accessible sports
facilities are utilized by hundreds of
children with disabilities either as
part of Shalva’s core programs or
collaborative initiatives. They enjoy a
range of rehabilitative fitness activities
such as hydrotherapy and swimming
lessons, therapeutic workouts, as well
as inclusive basketball, soccer and
Judo.
Hydrotherapy supported by Canadian
Friends of Shalva
All ages
Oral Health for
Everyone
OHEV provides a unique wellness
solution to increase the quality and
accessibility of oral health for children
with disabilities by encouraging
life-style based interventions
and preventative care. Dentistry
professionals conduct individual
intervention programs and teach the
children proper oral hygiene practices.
Educational initiatives for parents
explore pediatric oral healthcare needs
for children with disabilities.
All ages
Family Support
Shalva supports parents to raise their
children with disabilities at home within
the family framework. A staff of social
workers and disability professionals
provide personal counseling and
conduct ongoing support groups for
parents, grandparents, siblings, and
disability caregivers. Shalva empowers
parents to find hope and belonging,
create family cohesion, and lead
thriving lives.
SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives
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Hope for a
Bright Future
Programs for Adults
Shalva provides a nurturing framework for adults with disabilities
to live independently and benefit from meaningful employment and
leisure opportunities. Shalva’s multifaceted adult services structure
ensures that adults with varying levels of independence can expand
their potential for personal development and social inclusion.
10 SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives

Independent
Living in the
Community
Shalva operates independent living
apartments in the community for men
and women with disabilities. Enveloped
by professional and social support,
the residents foster cohesive familylike
relationships and successful
integration into community life.
Employment
Shalva serves as a model for
successful workplace inclusion.
We employ adults with disabilities in
various positions and departments
such as teaching assistants in the
inclusive preschools, musicians in
the Shalva Band and waiters at Café
Shalva. Some employees work in
Shalva’s creative workshop where they
produce tea packages, ceramics and
other marketable products.
Vocational
Training
Shalva’s vocational training program
prepares adults with disabilities for
inclusion in the mainstream workforce
through formal study, interactive
practicum and supervised employment.
The program is operated in partnership
with local colleges and the Ministry of
Labor, providing graduates with official
certification and the opportunity to
enter the mainstream job market with
equal qualifications to counterpart
candidates without disabilities.
Rising in Rank
Rising in Rank is Shalva’s volunteer military
service program for young adults with
disabilities. Program participants reside
at the Shalva National Center and are
escorted every day to their volunteer
military service at local army bases.
The program integrates an educational
component which takes place at the
Jerusalem College of Technology.
Circle of Support
Circle of Support is a program designed
for adults with lower functioning abilities
who currently reside with their parents
in the community and seek social
leisure activities. They attend weekly
outings with professional counselors
and benefit from a personally tailored,
experiential learning curriculum geared
toward advancing their independence
skills.
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11

Magic Happens
Here
The Shalva National Center is one of
the largest centers for disability care
and inclusion in the world. Since its
inauguration in 2016, the center has
opened new doors of opportunity for
people with disabilities and their families.
Its expansive, state-of-the-art facilities
and unique programs have enhanced
the standard of disability services and
monumentally impacted the lives of
people far beyond those in our direct care.
12 SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives

SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives
13

Every detail of the Shalva National Center was
designed with intention to optimally advance
Shalva’s programs and welcome the broader
community into the world of inclusion.
The center is a model of
excellence and a beacon of hope.
Leon and Leesa Wagner Family Atrium
Shalva Park for Inclusion in Memory of Ambassador Roland E. Arnall
Henry Schein Cares Oral Hygiene Clinic
Steven Diamond Sports and Wellness Center
The Recanati-Kaplan Auditorium
14 SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives

Shalva was founded in 1990 by Kalman and Malki Samuels, but its story begins thirteen years
earlier when their son, Yossi was rendered blind and deaf among other challenges as a result
of injury during his early infancy. At the age of eight Yossi experienced a communication
breakthrough, miraculously learning sign language in the palm of his hand. Malki remembered
a promise that she made during those isolating and exhausting years; that if G-d would help
her son she would dedicate herself to helping other families in similar situations. With six
local children in a small apartment, the Samuels’ established Shalva. Responding to the needs
of children and their families, program followed program; resulting in a holistic continuum of
services to support individuals with disabilities and their families throughout the life cycle, from
infancy through adulthood.
A Mother’s
Promise
Ful illed
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15

Research and Education at Shalva
Through ongoing research and education projects, Shalva is effectively shaping
social policy and changing the standards of disability care and inclusion worldwide.
International partnerships with medical centers, universities and organizations impact
the world beyond the individuals and families in our programs.
Conferences
Shalva’s therapy models and rehabilitation
methods are presented at educational conferences
in Israel and around the world. Shalva’s research
and development department hosts educational
conferences on disability care topics, sharing
Shalva’s expertise and knowledge with local and
international disability care professionals.
Research Collaborations
Shalva’s research collaborations with leading
academic institutions and corporate startups are
advancing the fields of disability healthcare and
special education. Articles authored by Shalva’s
faculty have been published in academic journals
and continue to serve as a foundation for developing
methodologies. Shalva also partners with medical
centers and disability care institutions around the
world to share knowledge and expertise in an effort to
better serve the disability demographic globally.
16 SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives

Local & Global
Impact
Educational Tours
Throughout the year approximately 18,000 people from
the broader community visit Shalva for educational tours.
Delegations include dignitaries, government and community
leaders, and university students from around the world. They
come to experience Shalva’s programs first-hand and learn
about the world of disability care and inclusion.
Therapy Training
Certi ication Courses
Shalva’s Snoezelen Therapy training courses certify over
50 disability care professionals from across Israel every
year. Originally developed in the Netherlands yet widely
popular in rehabilitative environments around the world,
Snoezelen Therapy takes place in a specially designed
environment with various sensory stimulating installations.
SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives 17

The Enormous Power of Good
Every year, over 200,000 people participate in Shalva’s inclusion initiatives and social enterprises.
Our greater Shalva family is made of people with extra-large hearts who promote values of human dignity
and the inclusion of people with disabilities in the broader community.
Inclusion Initiatives
Team Shalva in
the Jerusalem
Marathon
Shalva’s team of over 1,000 runners
infuses the Jerusalem Marathon with
“Shalva purple” and an irresistibly
inspiring energy. Together with
hundreds of runners from abroad,
celebrity and national heroes,
volunteers, sports stars and of course
Shalva’s children and their families,
Team Shalva annually kicks off the
marathon’s “community run”.
Shalva
Ambassadors
Program
Hundreds of gap year students
volunteer at Shalva on a weekly basis,
providing backbone support to our
programs and friendship to Shalva’s
children. Their genuine care and positive
energy are invaluable components of
Shalva’s magical inclusion. They are
Shalva’s ambassadors in their home
communities.
The Shalva
National Park
for Inclusion
In memory of Ambassador Roland E.
Arnall
Located at the entrance of the Shalva
National Center campus, the National
Park for Inclusion is comprised of
three expansive, disability accessible
installations that are suitable for
various levels of challenge. Open to
the broader public, the park is visited
by hundreds of children every day and
creates a unique haven of inclusion and
acceptance.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Programs
Families from around the world make
Shalva a meaningful part of their Bar/
Bat Mitzvah celebrations. They engage
their communities in chesed projects
on behalf of Shalva’s children, dedicate
gifts to support our programs, or
celebrate with a party at the Shalva
National Center in Israel.
18 SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives

Social Enterprises
Shalva Band
The Shalva Band is comprised of eight
talented musicians with disabilities who
are employed by Shalva and perform by
invitation with celebrity artists and at
cultural events. Inspiring crowds with
their professional musical repertoire
and charm, the band is an acclaimed
model of inclusion for audiences across
the globe.
Café Shalva
Donated by the Mayberg Foundation
Café Shalva is a boutique restaurant
that is also an inclusive equalopportunity
workplace, simultaneously
offering a high-end, delicious culinary
experience as well as the opportunity
to participate in a meaningful inclusion
initiative.
Shalva SHOP
The Shalva National Center gift shop
offers visitors a selection of artistic
and unique items for sale, such as
jewelry, homeware, toys, and Judaica;
some of which are produced by adults
with disabilities at Shalva’s creative
workshop. Purchases serve as
meaningful souvenirs and all profits
directly support Shalva.
Cultural Events
and Conferences
Helen Sarah Steyer and Thomas Mark
Steyer Education and Training Center
IIn addition to housing Shalva’s
rehabilitative programs, the Shalva
National Center hosts external cultural
events and educational conferences
several times a week.
SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives
19

SHALVA 2020 BUDGET
5%
Projected Expenses: $19,931,000
11.5%
Programs for Children and Families 58.5%
Programs for Adults 11.5%
6%
19%
58.5%
Early Intervention (Me and My Mommy) 3%
Inclusive Education 21%
Rehabilitative Recreation and Respite 19%
Sports and Wellness 4%
Oral Health, Courses 0.5%
Value of Volunteer Work 11%
Social Enterprises 19%
Cafe Shalva 11%
Independent Living 8%
Employment 2%
Circle of Support 0.5%
Rising in Rank 1%
Research, Education, and
Outreach Programs 6%
Research and Development 1%
Outreach and Advocacy 5%
Events and Conferences 1%
Shalva SHOP 0.5%
Shalva Band 4%
Management Expenses 2.5%
Management and
Fundraising 5%
Management, Finance 4%
Fundraising 1%
Note: Programs 76%, Social Enterprises 19%, Management and Fundraising Expenses: 5%
11%
21%
30%
Projected Income: $20,024,000
Donations 30%
Israel 14%
American Friends of Shalva 12%
Abroad 4%
Social Enterprises 21%
Cafe Shalva 14%
Events and Conferences 1%
Shalva SHOP 1%
38%
Government 38%
Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services 28%
Ministry of Education, Others 10%
Shalva Band 5%
Value of Volunteer
Work 11%
Note: 84% of total income comes from Israel, including donations, government, value of volunteer work,
and social enterprises
Budget reviewed and approved sustainable
by Ernst and Young.
In accordance with Israeli law, value of volunteer work is
calculated in both the expenses and income of the budget.
American Friends of Shalva
EIN: 56-2676533
British Friends of Shalva
Charity Commission
Registration Number: 1081887
Canadian Friends of Shalva
ID: 13577 3943 RR0001
Shalva Israel
Charity Registration Number
58-017-398-7
20 SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives

INSPIRING HOPE
Reuven Rivlin
President of Israel
“Every time I meet members of Shalva’s staff,
volunteers, and the extended Shalva family,
I come to understand what is love, what is
endless dedication, what is giving. And for this
I thank you.”
Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister of Israel
“We salute what Shalva is doing in Israel
which I think is a beacon to the entire world.
What Shalva recognizes is that each human
being has a soul.”
CHANGING LIVES
Shlomo Karp
proud to be a Shalva parent since 2002
“For years we were on a rollercoaster when
we didn’t even know what kind of disability our
daughter had. The most difficult feeling was
isolation. Shalva is a place that we, and many
other parents, trust with our eyes closed.”
Alin Asyag
proud to be a Shalva parent since 2018
“I was completely lost until I came here. From
the first moment, there was a feeling of
coming home. They believe in children. Every
mother who walks through Shalva, without a
doubt, falls in love with her child.”
Ivegenia Friedman
proud to be a Shalva parent since 2016
“It’s a kind of loss you have to find the strength
to reconcile with. My daughter’s difficulties
and challenges are always with her. But when
she comes to Shalva, they are sidelined. Shalva
is so good for her and so good for us. I know
that I’m not alone in this battle.”
Yossi Elimelech
proud to be a Shalva parent since 2010
“Every day the doctors told us it would be the
last day, and every day we collapsed all over
again. When we first came to Shalva we saw
the volunteers with the children full of life;
and I said, ‘this is where we need to be.”
SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives
21

shalva thEn & now
30 years ago we began with 6 local
children in an after school program.
Today we serve over 2,000 individuals
with disabilities who represent the entire
spectrum of Israeli society.
In 1990 we were a family of volunteers.
Today we have 450 staff members,
of which over 300 are disability care
professionals, and an additional 400
trained, regular volunteers.
In 2000 we opened the Me and My Mommy
program with 13 mothers and their babies.
Today we have over 120 mothers and
their babies attending weekly. Some travel
several hours from all over Israel.
In 2010 we started our first basketball team.
We partnered with the Hapoel Jerusalem
basketball club and introduced an inclusive
element to their youth league.
Today we have:
4 basketball teams with Hapoel Jerusalem
4 soccer teams with Beitar Jerusalem
Football Club
2 groups in our rehabilitative Judo school,
headed by Olympic medalist Ori Sasson
And 7 therapeutic fitness groups for our
young adults
22
22 30 Years of Changing Lives

30 YEARS OF CHANGING LIVES
1991
1996
1990
Shalva opened with
6 children in a local
apartment
Canadian Friends of
Shalva established
First summer camp
American Friends of
Shalva established
1992
Overnight and Weekend
Respite program began
1994
Original facility
expanded to include
adjacent apartment
British Friends of Shalva
established
Officially recognized by
Israeli government to
receive National Service
Volunteers
1998
Moved to Shalva Beit
Nachshon Center in Har
Nof
1999
Recognized by the
Ministry of Social
Affairs and Social
Services, enabling
Shalva to receive
government support
2000
Shalva Beit Nachshon
was renovated to
include Shalva’s first
hydrotherapy swimming
pool
2001
Shalva Gush Etzion
opened in response to
compromised safety
during the Second
Intifada
2003
First International
Down Syndrome Day
Conference hosted
in partnership with
the Hadassah Medical
Center
Me and My Mommy
program began
Rehabilitative Day Care
opened for children
ages 1-3
>>
SHALVA \ 30 Years of Changing Lives
23

2004
Shalva’s International
Academic Research
Committee was
officially established by
Prof. Malka Margalit
2006
First FestiShalva
musical performance
2007
Property for Shalva
National Center granted
by the Jerusalem
Municipality
2010
First basketball
team established in
partnership with the
HaPoel Jerusalem
Basketball Club
2005
The Shalva Band was
established
Received certification
of management
standards from ISO
2009
First Team Shalva in the
Jerusalem Marathon
2017
Shalva National Center officially established by IDF
as National Crisis Center for people with disabilities
Oral health for Everyone (OHEV) program and
clinical research project launched
Café Shalva opened to the public
First soccer team established in partnership with
Beitar Jerusalem Football Club
Rehabilitative Judo School established by Olympic
medalist Ori Sasson
2018
Granted consultative status by the United Nations
First vocational training course in partnership with
Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labor
First independent living apartment in the community
opened
Circle of Support program opened for adults
Horizon program opened

2014
2012
Received Midot
Seal of Outstanding
Effectiveness
2013
Shalva’s advocacy
film, Special Interview,
shown at film festivals
around the world
Inclusive preschools
open and receive
authorization of
Ministry of Education
Street leading to Shalva
National Center named
“Shalva Road” by
Jerusalem Municipality
2015
First Kilimanjaro Climb
to support Shalva
2016
Shalva opens the school
year at the Shalva
National Center
2019
First Snoezelen Therapy training course graduation, authorized by
International Snoezelen Association (ISNA)
Shalva Band releases first single in social awareness campaign with
Bank Hapoalim and Google Israel
The Shalva Band performed at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest
2020
Celebrating
our 30th
birthday!!
Kalman Samuels authored his personal memoir, Dreams Never Dreamed
Rising in Rank program opened in partnership with IDF

ISRAEL
Shalva National Center
1 Shalva Road
POB 34449, Jerusalem 9134302
T +972-2-651-9555
F +972-2-653-5787
E info@shalva.org
USA
American Friends of Shalva
New York
315 Fifth Avenue, 6th Fl.
New York, NY 10016
T +1-212-725-0900
F +1-212-725-5624
E leo@shalva-usa.org
Florida
78 S.W. 7th Street, Suite 500
Miami, FL 33130
O +1-786-814-5368
M +1-954-536-8481
E lauren@shalva-usa.org
UK
British Friends of Shalva
Suite 174, Kinetic Business Centre
Theobald Street, Borehamwood
Hertfordshire, WD6 4PJ
T +44 020 8387 1221
E info@shalvauk.org
CANADA
Canadian Friends of Shalva
201 Bridgeland Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M6A 1Y7
T +1-647-884-3636
F +1-416-256-4003
E canadianfriends@shalva.org
MEXICO
Mexican Friends of Shalva
Hacienda del Ciervo #27 - 504
Hacienda de las Palmas
Huixquilucan Edo de Mexico
CP 52787, Mexico City
T +52-55-52163542
E stevanjennifer@gmail.com
www.shalva.org
The Israel Association for Care and
Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities