. Professor Mor Yosef and Rabbi Litzman were joined by a delegation from the Health Ministry which included Professor Or Noy – head of the Early Childhood Development Department in the Health Ministry, Mrs. Bella Ben Gershon – head of the Autism Department, Mr. Shmuel Weinglass – director of Bituach Leumi’s Services for the Handicapped and Mrs. Tami Ilon, coordinator of professions in Bituach Leumi.
The tour began in the Early Childhood Unit on Zartizky which includes the Ma’on Tzur daycare center and Ganei Eshkol preschool. The visitors were visibly impressed as they toured through the classrooms and the specialized therapy rooms which were built with help from Bituach Leumi including the Snoezelen room, occupational therapy room, Gymboree, music room, and educational kitchen. They were also shown a sampling of a hydrotherapy session at the pool.
The group then continued on to one of the group apartments; the immaculate and tastefully furnished apartment garnered praise from the delegation. At the Vocational Center, the visitors watched in amazement as the boys laundered clothes in the Laundromat and the girls created flower soaps in the soap factory.
The tour concluded in the lobby of the Nofshon Respite Center, the beautiful “hotel” that hosts our students for overnight stays when their parents need a break. Rabbi Shimon Levy presented an audio-visual overview showing Seeach Sod’s activities and Bituach Leumi’s ongoing assistance in the mission to help the special-needs community. The presentation also showed Seeach Sod’s development plan for 5773 (2013).
Professor Mor Yosef was visibly moved when he spoke: “Seeach Sod Sarfei Kodesh”, he said. “I don’t know who are the sarafim – the angels; the students or perhaps the staff as well! There is no doubt that there is great kindness going on here, holy work; the students and their parents are the focus of the goal to be integrated in mainstream community. It is a magnificent realization of the founder’s vision. Rabbi Dov Levy zt”l has merited that his children receive well-deserved government funding to address their students’ needs in the most loving and dignified manner. At this rate, perhaps one day Seeach Sod will open an old age home… As the CEO of the National Insurance Institute, I am proud to be a partner in their work and with G-d’s help, I will continue helping… I cannot conclude without expressing my appreciation to Rabbi Litzman, who fulfills his job as Deputy Health Minister to the utmost – he is the driving force who gets things done and constantly marches forward. Thank you.”
After Rabbi Litzman delivered a powerful message extolling Seeach Sod’s achievements, our student Menachem Eisenbach presented the visitors with a beautiful shofar in honor of Rosh Hashanah and moved the audience with his Chazzanus. As he intoned the powerful words of the Rosh Hashanah prayer “Hineni h’ani mimas”, those present could hardly hide their tears of emotion.
