AKIM International

24/12/2025

Wrapping up Hanukkah with light, warmth, and community across Israel ✨

Throughout the holiday, AKIM branches came together in many different ways - lighting candles, sharing festive meals, singing, dancing, traveling together, and spending meaningful time with friends and families.

Hanukkah reminds us that light is stronger when it’s shared.
And together, we carry that light forward all year long 🕎

23/12/2025

𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.

For people with disabilities, speaking up and being listened to is not always a given.
That’s why 'Kolenu' exists - AKIM’S Self-advocacy Leadership Movement for people with intellectual disabilities.

Across Israel, 'Kolenu' groups work to promote inclusion, raise awareness, and take action in their local communities.

Recently, the 'Kolenu' group from AKIM Rosh HaAyin identified a serious safety hazard near a local employment center. They spoke up, reached out to the municipality, and asked for change.

The Mayor responded, the issue was fixed, and the group was invited to meet in person.

This is the power of voice.
Well done 👏🏻

18/12/2025

𝐀 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐚 𝐋𝐨𝐭
Third-year students from AKIM and Bar-Ilan University’s Kelim Shluvím program spent the day bringing joy to residents of a local nursing home - including the grandmother of Shay, one of the students.

It was a warm and joyful visit. They sang, danced, and played music together, filling the space with light and good energy.

Wishing everyone a happy holiday 🕎

17/12/2025

Check out a warm Chanukah greeting and a song from the TLV Drama Troupe:

Members of the AKIM TLV Drama Troupe light the Chanukiah and have a message for the Jewish community in Sydney and around the world.

16/12/2025

𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐌 𝐁𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐚𝐦 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥
Yesterday, on the second night of Hanukkah, we marked the reopening of the renovated AKIM Bat Yam Hostel.

The hostel has undergone a full renovation to improve safety, comfort, and quality of life for the residents.

The reopening took place 25 years after the hostel first opened during Hanukkah 2000, adding special meaning to the occasion.

The event was held in the presence of Bat Yam Mayor Tzvika Brot, together with community leaders, staff, residents, families, and friends. Participants lit Hanukkah candles, enjoyed a performance by the hostel choir, listened to greetings, and shared a festive holiday meal.

Jack Frohlich
Daniel Pascheles
Larry Rein Nir Neeman

14/12/2025

As we enter Chanukah with heavy hearts after the terror attack in Sydney, we stand in solidarity with the Australian communities and have them in our thoughts as we observe the holiday here in Israel.

14/12/2025

As the Jewish community in Sydney was leading the way around the world by lighting the Menorah at Bondi Beach, we received the shocking report of the cowardly and abhorrent terrorist attack.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and we pray for a full and swift recovery (refuah shleimah) for all those who were wounded.

As we begin to light the Menorah in Israel later today, members of the AKIM community across Israel will have the Jewish community of Sydney in mind.

Send a message to learn more

04/12/2025

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Our International Relations Director, Jack Frohlich, has just returned from an inspiring trip to the UK, Mexico, and the USA, where he met with the dedicated leaders of our Friends of AKIM organizations in London (led by Barry Lightman and Anthony Broza), Mexico City (led Aslan Cohen), and Florida (led by Daniel Pascheles).

During his visit, Jack participated in events and parlor meetings, gave interviews to local media, and engaged in meaningful conversations with local supporters and community leaders —all with the goal of amplifying the work of AKIM and sharing the powerful impact our programs have on Israeli society.

He also enjoyed warm meetings with representatives from the Boca Raton and Broward County Jewish Federations, strengthening key partnerships.

Jack returned optimistic after meeting so many remarkable people: passionate volunteers, committed lay leaders and federation partners, who deeply care about Israel and believe in building a more inclusive society for people with intellectual disabilities.

We are grateful for our expanding international network of friends and supporters. Together, we continue to create meaningful change for individuals and families across Israel.

Larry Rein

03/12/2025

Today we mark the 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀—a moment to celebrate ability, determination, and the power of equal opportunity.

At AKIM, we believe every person deserves the chance to grow, to be heard, and to dream without limits.

Meet AKIM’s Dream Team: remarkable individuals with disabilities who didn’t just dream—they achieved.

Their journeys weren’t always easy, but with hard work, support from those who believed in them, and the confidence to believe in themselves, they turned their goals into reality.

The faces you see here remind us of a simple truth:
When people are given the opportunity to become who they are meant to be, there is no limit to how far they can go. ❤️

Larry Rein
Daniel Pascheles
Nir Neeman
Gery David
Friends of AKIM USA

26/11/2025

Another pre-army training course through AKIM’s “Equal in Uniform” program has officially wrapped up with great success!

Huge shout-out to the incredible young women and men, special education students from Ashdod and the surrounding area, who showed dedication, motivation, and unstoppable spirit throughout the process.

Now, after completing their training, they’re ready to step into IDF bases in the region and take their first big step toward a meaningful and empowering military service. The pre-army program was introduced last year, and the results are highly impressive as the volunteers arrive in the IDF 'plug & play' ready to contribute.

So proud, so inspired❣️🔥

עוד הכשרה במסגרת שווים במדים של אקים בתמיכת משרד הרווחה והביטחון החברתי, הסתיימה בהצלחה. כל הכבוד לנערים ולנערות, תלמידי החינוך המיוחד מאשדוד והסביבה שלקחו חלק בהכשרה. עם תום הלימודים ישתלבו החברים כמתנדבים בבסיסי צה"ל, לקראת שירות צבאי משמעותי.
מרגש❣️

24/11/2025

Mazal Fogel is the devoted mother of Itay, a beloved member of the AKIM Nahal Sorek (Binyamina) Day Center.

Through her writing, Mazal pours out the challenges, the pain, and the precious moments of joy that come with raising Itay — moments that shape her life in the most profound ways.

This week, her new song “I Am Here” was released. Mazal wrote and composed it straight from the heart, and singer Ben Kirt brings it to life with a breathtaking performance that truly touches the soul.

Mazal dedicates this song to all those among us who often feel unseen — people with visible and invisible disabilities who want nothing more than to be acknowledged, to be recognized, to belong.
Their message is simple and powerful:
“See us. We are here.”

Watch the moving video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zH1ESRTUtI

מזל פוגל היא אמא של איתי, חבר אקים ממרכז יום נחל שורק.
את האתגרים, הקושי והשמחות הקטנות בלהיות אמא של איתי היא מבטאת בשירים שהיא כותבת.
השבוע יצא לאור "אני כאן", שיר חדש שכתבה והלחינה בביצוע מרגש של הזמר בן קירט עם קליפ שלא ישאיר אתכם אדישים. מזל בחרה להקדיש את השיר לכל האנשים השקופים שבינינו - אנשים עם מוגבלות נראית ובלתי נראית שרק מבקשים - תראו אותנו. אנחנו כאן.

לצפייה בקליפ לחצו כאן:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zH1ESRTUtI
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קרדיטים:
מילים ולחן - מזל פוגל
שירה - בן קירט
עיבוד - דוד דנוך
תופים והפקת קצב - דוד דנוך
גיטרות ותכנותים - תום בנודיז
מיקס מאסטר - תום בנודיז
יוצר הקליפ - רמון אטלי
עיצוב עטיפה - אורלי קירט

הצינור

17/11/2025

🎉 𝗔𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 🎉

Last week, our annual fundraising event was held at the Givatayim Theater.
Branch Chair, Rachel On, hosted a colorful and inspiring evening with the attendance of Ran Kunik, Mayor of Givatayim; Benny Reich, Deputy Mayor of Givatayim; Ziva Gabay, Director of the Social Services Division in Givatayim; Einav Bar Cohen, Acting Mayor of Ramat Gan; Avihu Ben Moshe, Deputy Mayor of Ramat Gan; Sigal Peretz Yahalomi, CEO of AKIM; representatives from the AKIM headquarters; supporters; and dedicated volunteers.

Guests and supporters enjoyed the musical performance “Life is Beautiful” by singer Orly Solomon - אורלי סולומון, accompanied by musicians and dancers.

The evening was skillfully hosted by Keren Dror, Akim’s Community Advocacy Coordinator, and Ronel Lev, a student at AKIM College for Inclusive Education and a member of the branch’s leadership team.

🙏 The donations collected during the event will directly support improving the quality of life and promoting inclusion in the community for members of AKIM Ramat Gan–Givatayim and their families.

Nir Neeman
רן קוניק העמוד הרשמי