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AKIM International

AKIM Israel is a vibrant, person-centered organization that acts to realize the rights and improve t

Mission:
To make Israel a better place for people with intellectual disabilities: a warm, inclusive and respectful society, enabling self-actualization and offering equal opportunity while recognizing diversity. AKIM was founded in 1951 by parents of children with intellectual disabilities. AKIM operates 67 branches in both the Jewish and the Arab sectors. AKIM is Israel’s leading national organiz

ation for people with intellectual disabilities. A Unique Organization:
 NATION-WIDE - SERVICING THE PERIPHERY: Providing advocacy, services and support reaching diverse populations in Israel.
 DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE: Unique democratic organization whose board of directors and branch leadership are elected every four years.
 PERSON-CENTERED APPROACH: AKIM advocates for all people with disabilities based on the premise that each person with disabilities has autonomy to make decisions for her/himself. AKIM leads the way in advocating for the movement from institutional to community living.

22/04/2026

𝐈𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐥'𝐬 𝟕𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲:
Today, we salute Sean, a participant in AKIM's "Equal in Uniform" program.

In advance of 'Yom Ha'atsmaut', he was awarded a Certificate of Excellence for his outstanding service and contribution to the IDF.

Sean, 23 years old from Rehovot, serves at the Tzrifin food distribution base, where he is responsible for packing food for IDF forces, including spotters/observers and troops stationed at Israel's borders.

He has been volunteering with "Equal in Uniform" for over a year and is expected to enlist soon.

Well done, Sean!

𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲- '𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐠 𝐀𝐭𝐳𝐦𝐚𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡' 🙌🇮🇱

21/04/2026

🕯️ Major Shahar Buzaglo, z”l
Rotem Buzaglo, from the AKIM community in Migdal HaEmek, lost her twin brother Shahar in September 2025 when he fell in battle in Gaza, leaving a deep void in the hearts of Rotem and her family.

Born on July 6, 1998, in Migdal HaEmek to Osnat and Michael Buzaglo, Shachar was one of triplets — brother to Aviv and Rotem, older brother to Yarin, and husband of Adi.

As Rotem’s twin, who is on the autism spectrum, Shahar grew up with a strong sense of empathy, responsibility, and care for others. Their home was open and warm, and from a young age Shahar was present—listening, asking, and offering support. His sensitivity and compassion were clear even then.

🕯️ Corporal Yechezkel Shviro, z”l
Hezi Shviro, who lives in the AKIM “Hashachar” hostel in Herzliya, is named after his father, Yechezkel, whom he never met.

Yechezkel Shviro was called to reserve duty at the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War and sent with his unit to the Golan Heights. On October 10, 1973, he was killed by shellfire at a field hospital. He left behind a wife and daughter, parents, three brothers, and two sisters.

His son Hezi was born two weeks after his death and carries his name. In a condolence letter, his commander wrote: “Yechezkel served in a medical unit and played an important role in treating the wounded. He fell in the line of duty while carrying out this mission.”

🕯️ Sergeant First Class Yuval Ravid, z”l
Yuval fell on February 28, 1981, in a car accident on his way to an operational mission.

Yuval is the uncle of Topaz Skornik from the AKIM Tiberias Occupational Center—an uncle she never had the chance to meet.

Topaz shares: “I grew up hearing stories about him. Although I never met him or shared moments with my heroic uncle, Yuval lived a life of purpose. He did not abandon his soldiers and went to battle without hesitation. Today I am already six years older than he ever was—but for us, Yuval will remain young forever.”

The AKIM community honors the memory of the fallen and sends a warm embrace to the bereaved families.

May their memory be a blessing. 🙏 יהי זכרם ברוך

20/04/2026

🕯️𝐘𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐧 - 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐥'𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫

Tonight and tomorrow, we remember those no longer among us, yet still present in so many ways and in so many lives throughout the country.

We are sharing the song “A Soldier’s War”, written and performed by students from the “Kelim Shluvím” (MusEquality) program at AKIM College, Bar-Ilan University, during the war with Hamas.

May the memory of the thousands of fallen soldiers and victims of terror forever be a blessing🕯️

17/04/2026

🚨 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐮𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐭.
A missile strike in Southern Israel destroyed a community living home for 6 adults with intellectual disabilities.

They survived only because they reached the shelter in time.
But everything else was lost:
Their home in Dimona.
Their routines.
Their sense of safety and stability.

They’ve been moved to temporary housing.
We’re raising funds to rebuild what was destroyed and give them back what they deserve: security, dignity, and belonging.

👉 Please donate and share:
https://www.jgive.com/new/en/usd/donation-targets/166290
Tax-deductible donations are available in Israel, USA, Canada, and the UK.

Every contribution helps bring them one step closer to home. ❤️

13/04/2026

Between 200,000 to 230,000 people with disabilities were murdered during the Holocaust as part of the N**i T4 "euthanasia" program, a systematic, state-sanctioned effort to eliminate individuals with physical, intellectual, and mental disabilities.

People with disabilities were, in fact, among the very first victims of N**i persecution. their murder serving as a devastating precursor to what would become the Final Solution.
As history has recorded at an immeasurable cost, this ideology of extermination was subsequently expanded, ultimately claiming the lives of millions of women, men, and children across Europe among them six million Jews.

On this day, we remember every victim of the Holocaust.
We will never forget.

06/04/2026

AKIM staff, together with 'ShinShinim' (Service-Year Shlichim) volunteers from the Tzofim (Israeli Scouts), traveled to the Dead Sea hotels where evacuees from the war are staying to support families with children with disabilities.

The 'ShinShinim' program is a gap-year initiative in which Israeli high school graduates defer their IDF service to volunteer in communities in Israel and around the world.

Each staff member or volunteer was paired with a child or adult with a disability who experienced trauma after their home was destroyed by a missile strike. This support—for both individuals and their families—is especially meaningful during these challenging days.

In the photos: the amazing 'ShinShinim' celebrating the 4th birthday of a wonderful child who was evacuated from his home 🥳

We would like to thank the Disabilities Administration at the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security for leading this initiative, the AKIM team for their rapid mobilization under the direction of Yuval Levy, and of course, the dedicated 'ShinShinim' service-year volunteers.

As the final days of Passover approach—a time of freedom and hope—we wish for quieter days, good news, and that soon there will be no need for such initiatives. 🙌

30/03/2026

𝐀 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝.

A missile strike destroyed a community living home in Dimona—home to 6 adults with intellectual disabilities. They are safe only because they reached the protected shelter in time.

But everything else is gone.

They’ve been relocated temporarily, but they’ve lost their home, their routine, and their sense of stability.

We’re raising funds to rebuild their home—and restore safety, dignity, and belonging.

👉 Please donate and share:
https://www.jgive.com/new/en/usd/donation-targets/166290

Tax-deductible donations available in Israel, USA, Canada, and UK.
Every contribution helps bring them one step closer to home. 🙏

22/03/2026

Yesterday, an AKIM Community Living Home in Dimona, in southern Israel, was struck by a missile that destroyed their home.

Miraculously, all residents and their support staff were in the protected shelter at the time. That decision saved their lives.
After precautionary checks at Soroka Hospital, they were safely discharged and are now staying temporarily in another AKIM apartment in Be’er Sheva, embraced by a dedicated and caring team.

The destruction is devastating—but it makes one thing painfully clear: following safety instructions saves lives.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Esther, whose calm and professional actions were life-saving, to Sivan, who leads the local community living program, and to the entire AKIM team for their extraordinary response.

AKIM is committed to rebuilding—quickly and with care—so they can return to a safe, warm, and dignified home in their community as soon as possible.

Please keep them in your thoughts, and stay safe. 🙏

19/03/2026

We’re proud to share that most of AKIM’s Day & Occupational Centers have been reopened — fully operational and bustling with activity. 🙌

This achievement is thanks to the hard work and dedication of our teams, who made it possible to restore these essential services for the individuals and families who rely on them every day.

Across the country, our facilities are fully compliant with Home Front Command guidelines and have the protective infrastructure to keep every participant safe.

To everyone who helped make this happen — thank you.
Your commitment is seen, felt, and deeply appreciated.

For the people we support, it means the world. 💙

17/03/2026

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Today, we take a moment to pause and recognize AKIM's extraordinary social workers, who approach their work involving people with intellectual disabilities not as a profession, but as a calling.

In times as complex and demanding as these, their contribution is not simply valuable. It is indispensable.

On behalf of our staff and management, our families and volunteers, and above all, the individuals that we are privileged to support.

Thank you. Not only today, but every single day. 🙏🏻

Nir Neeman Gery David

13/03/2026

From the very first days of the war, AKIM’s Employment and Leisure Division mobilized to support the people we serve and their families.

Through AKIM Live, a wide range of recreational and supportive activities were launched to help individuals maintain connection, routine, and resilience during this difficult time.

Within days, several day centers and employment programs began reopening carefully and safely. Work groups in essential industries also returned to activity, allowing many individuals to regain stability and purpose.

At the same time, AKIM’s college programs moved online, volunteers from “Equal in Uniform” resumed their service, and in-home support continued for those unable to attend programs in person.

Because at AKIM, ensuring that no one is left without care, connection, or support is not a courtesy — it is our commitment.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the professionals, directors, coordinators, and staff of the Employment and Leisure Division, whose dedication, creativity, and tireless work made all of this possible.

11/03/2026

𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐌 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 💙

To our remarkable community living support teams, you show us every day what true dedication means.

Even now, during the current operation, you continue to arrive at AKIM’s apartments and community residences, undeterred by sirens and missile alerts. With unwavering commitment and deep compassion, you support, encourage, and enrich the lives of those who depend on us most.

You are not only essential workers — you are a cornerstone of our community’s resilience.

Our deepest gratitude goes to each and every one of you.

We hold onto the hope that this will be the last war — one that brings an end to those who seek to harm us and opens the way for a society united by shared values. A society grounded in empathy, solidarity, and human dignity, where every person — including those who are different — is welcomed and valued.

𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐌. 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞. 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.

With profound appreciation,
Sigal Peretz-Yahalomi
CEO, AKIM Israel

Address

69 Pinchas Rosen Street
Tel Aviv
6951291

Telephone

+97237662222

Website

https://akimisrael.com/

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