25/01/2026
𝗔 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗠 𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗶 𝗗𝗿. 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻 (𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘆) 𝗟𝗮𝘂 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻:
"I’m excited to share AKIM’s new media campaign with you.
Anyone who grew up in Israel is familiar with AKIM — but not quite like what you will see now. The story of the evolution of AKIM reflects the broader journey of the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, both globally and here in Israel.
Do you remember AKIM’s fundraising drives from years ago? (Yes, back when the campaign was called “A Roof for the Re****ed Child,” reflecting the Hebrew terminology and attitudes of that period.) 𝗪𝗲’𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻.
The organization has evolved and grown professionally, learning the deep truth about human beings — every human being — and their right to self-fulfillment according to their own wishes and abilities.
AKIM shifted toward listening to the voices of people themselves, not just to decide what’s best for them. It even established a self-advocacy movement called 'Kolenu' (“Our Voice”), which amplifies the voices of the people and listens to their inner will and longing to lead dignified lives.
AKIM recently launched a campaign marking 75 years of blessed activity. As part of a rebranding process that expresses the belief in each person’s inherent worth, a powerful and moving campaign went live in Israel under the title “Just Like You.”
People with disabilities share their pain, joy, fears, and love in therapy with a psychologist. And you may be surprised — they are just like you and me.
If you were touched by Elisha’s video, you’ll find a link in the first comment to all the videos. You can also donate and help the incredible people AKIM supports live meaningful, fulfilling lives.
𝗜’𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵."
הרב בני לאו Daniel Pascheles Larry Rein Nir Neeman Gery David Shirley Peleg Friends of AKIM USA
