Since the fighting began in southern Israel, more than 200 special education pupils of the Tov Umarpeh Organization have attended activities run for them by the Migdal Ohr Organization, spearheaded by Israel Prize Recipient, Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman. During the first days of the war, the pupils remained in their homes due to the closure of educational institutions, leading to their regression, fear and primarily to a lack of understanding of the situation in which they found themselves. Consequently, the Migdal Ohr Organization began to run diverse and fun activities suited to the children, some of whom with difficult disabilities and special needs. The activities were held in Beitar, Jerusalem and Modi’in.
“This activity is like a breath of fresh air for the parents,” said Yisrael Parosh, father of Elisheva (26), a special girl. He founded the Tov Umarpeh Organization with his wife Esther many years ago. “From the first moment that we understood that the educational system would not be operated, due to the situation, we recruited our staff. Some of our children are at a very low level of functioning, who do not communicate with their surroundings and need close assistance. The children experienced difficulties that were unfamiliar to them and could not always express themselves. They withdrew, were terrified by every siren and noise. Each child expressed this fear in a different way, and currently, everything is much more intense for them, more extreme and this is seen in their body language and we try to calm them down.”
Migdal Ohr Organization President, Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman emphasized that “this vital work was conducted throughout the year, especially during sensitive periods such this one, emphasizing the strength of man and the power of society that is measured in its sensitivity and strength and activity on behalf of each person. Thanks to our dedicated and loving staff, Israeli children with disabilities at any age can live full and rich lives as their peers, and are accepted by most of the population and develop well beyond the original forecasts. Every person has the natural right for respect and the highest quality of life in order for them to reach their full potential in a loving and supportive community, on a daily basis. We embrace these children and do so to enable them to grow and live happy, honorable and meaningful lives.”
“The parents thank us for helping them cope with impossible challenges of protecting their child with special needs during a time of war, the incessant sirens and bombing,” added Yisrael. “We are familiar with this at home, we know what they are talking about. People tell us that their home had changed from the moment the war began, and they didn’t know what to do, since all the frameworks were not in operation, and from the moment they joined our day camp, their life was much calmer”.
