It was a distinguished and memorable event for the many
people who filled the Beis Yisroel hall in Jerusalem this
month to give tribute to Shvilim, an organization for
the rehabilitation and advancement of children with special
needs; it was an unforgettable opportunity to experience the
range of its activities and scope of its accomplishments.
Each child with his particular difficulty and the admirable,
very poignant manner in which he is being cared for to
maximize his potential, through the devoted staff of
Shvilim, its equipment, methods, ideas, all of which
add up to a beautiful picture of children happy and
blooming.
A great deal of credit goes to the `captain' directing this
`ship', R' Sholom Rosenfeld, whose indefatigable efforts
takes him to foreign shores to help finance the various
projects which Shvilim has undertaken to advance its
children in every possible way. This is done through
therapeutic exercise, a very expensive bi-weekly activity
that has proven itself many times over, through learn-through-
play equipment at the Shvilim premises on Rechov Druk
3 in Ramat Shlomo, music therapy and much more.
Lending considerable stature to the event were the prominent
figures who addressed the equally prominent participants of
educators, communally active figures, friends and admirers of
this outstanding venture. The evening was opened and
conducted by HaRav Avrohom Goldstein who is one of the active
figures for the institution. All ears were riveted to the
enthusiastic, fervent message of HaRav Yisroel Ganz who can
personally testify to the devotion and sacrifice of many of
the people involved in this undertaking, who treat each child
as a whole world of potential.
Rosh Yeshivas Ohr HaChaim, HaRav Reuven Elbaz, was equally
lavish in his endorsement of the institution. "Give to Him
what is His, for you and yours are His."
Highlights of the inception and development of this unique
extracurricular institution for special needs children was
presented by one who has been following it closely from the
very beginning, R' Yosef Krieger, and who has seen the
children in their creative play, receiving the best of
chinuch in a loving atmosphere, growing and developing
over the weeks and months with full Jewish values and
yedios through pleasant learning experiences.
Who knows how much satisfaction blessings recited by such a
child brings to his Creator? Every achievement made by them
is gained through so much effort and is so valuable!
Perhaps one of the most moving testimonies was that of HaRav
Binyomin Finkel who is raising an orphan in his home. Without
the added input of Shvilim for the difficult after-
school hours, he testifies movingly, so much would be lost,
to say nothing of how much is gained! The child blossoms with
the love, attention and skilled therapy which he receives
daily at Shvilim, reinforcing the atmosphere of home
and school.
The closing words were spoken by an equally prestigious HaRav
Osher Weiss who talked about the obligation of chinuch
of Jewish children, especially those with special needs, who
are also dear children of Hashem.
The evening was graced by dozens of other distinguished
figures, including Rosh Yeshivas Belz, R' Shmuel Rosengarten;
Rosh Yeshivas Ohr Somayach, R' Mendel Weinbach; the Admor of
Shatz, R' Yaakov Yitzchok Moshkowitz; HaRav Dov Weiss, rabbi
of Kiryat Sanz, Jerusalem; R' Yaakov Sofer, rabbi of Kehilas
Ksav Sofer in Katamon and rabbi of Beis haknesses Yad Sofer
in Beitar; R' Shamai Gross, Motz of Kohol Machzikei Hadas,
Belz, Jerusalem; R' Matisyohu Deutsch, moro d'asro of Ramat
Shlomo; R' Simcha Tabinowitz, rabbi of Beis Haknesses
Mishkenos Yaakov in Ramat Shlomo; R' Eliyohu Rosenthal, Dayan
of Beis Din Raboni in Petach Tikva; R' Osher Lichtenstein,
Rosh Kollel in Mattersdorf; R' Moshe Schlesinger, rosh
yeshivas Tiferes Shmuel, and many more.
Missing in actual presence but not in spirit were two figures
who sent their blessings: Guest of Honor Mayor of Jerusalem,
R' Uri Lupoliansky, and Professor Rabbi Steinberg, who had
been scheduled to speak on the advancement of special
children but was not feeling well.
This unforgettable evening succeeded in putting "Shvilim" on
the map of outstanding ventures, and engraving it in the
hearts of all those who participated. May the blessings of
all be realized in its continued expansion and success.
