AKIM International

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

22/01/2026

We’re excited to launch AKIM’s new fundraising campaign that kicked off in Israel this week, accompanied by a short and deeply touching video series.

For 75 years, AKIM has supported individuals with intellectual disabilities, empowering them to live full, meaningful lives—just like everyone else.

This campaign celebrates our shared humanity, our impact, and the belief that inclusion strengthens us all.

Larry Rein Nir Neeman Gery David Shirley Peleg
Friends of AKIM USA

20/01/2026

🍽️🎓 𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 🎓🍽️

We were proud to mark the official launch of the AKIM College Equal in Culinary Arts program at Dan Ort Gourmet College in Tel Aviv, welcoming 9 students at the start of their professional journey.

The event took place in the presence of Ronen Danieli, CEO of Ort Dan Gourmet College, and Sigal Peretz Yahalomi, CEO of AKIM. Chef Keren Segel, the program’s instructor and the students’ primary guide, accompanied the launch—along with inspiring remarks from one of the students, who spoke about discovering her calling through the program.

Founded by the Dan Hotels network and Ort Israel, Dan Ort Gourmet College delivers top-level training in cooking, baking, and pastry with expert instructors and industry-grade facilities.

Special thanks to Oshrat Groman, Director of Employment Programs, and Yuval Levy, AKIM College Manager, along with many dedicated support staff, for ensuring the program's success.

🙏With gratitude to the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, and Tamar Olivenbaum, Director of the Guided Employment Department, for their steadfast support of the AKIM College network.

We were honored to welcome Susie Sokol as a guest at the event, Founder and Director Emeritus of DANI and Founder of the Toronto Jewish Disability Network, the International Jewish Disability Network, and the Disability Family Advocacy Network.

✨ We wish the students every success as they begin this exciting culinary journey.

Friends of AKIM USA
Nir Neeman Daniel Pascheles Larry Rein

11/01/2026

𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗠 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 💻✨
We recently marked the opening of AKIM’s “Equal in Digital” College at the Tiltan School of Design and Visual Communications in Haifa — the first program of its kind in Israel to train people with intellectual disabilities for today’s most in-demand digital professions 👏🏼

The event also featured an exhibit of student work, showcasing talent, creativity, and professionalism — and demonstrating what happens when people are provided real opportunity 💫

Our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated AKIM team, the staff of Tiltan College, the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, the parents, and of course, the outstanding students.

Wishing everyone continued success throughout the year!

08/01/2026

𝗪𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝗮 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 🌱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗠
👀Step inside a year of impact and meaningful change✨

02/01/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁:
We caught up with Esti and Adam from AKIM Bat Yam community living for a quick chat about love, and they completely stole our hearts. 😍✨
𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆.

Shirley Peleg
אקים ישראל Akim Israel

01/01/2026

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭
Recently, Kolenu leaders Regina Inyatov and Menachem Naizov—members of AKIM’s self-advocacy leadership movement of people with intellectual disabilities—were invited to the Knesset Welfare Committee.

They participated in a discussion about the details of the new Social Services Law for People with Disabilities, ensuring that their opinions and perspectives are factored into important decisions about the legislation.

With the support of AKIM’s Advocacy Coordinator Keren Dror, they exemplified true advocacy and dedication.

This is real leadership in action.
We are proud of you 👏👏

31/12/2025

During a recent visit to Mexico, Jack Frohlich, Director of International Relations, was interviewed by May Samra of the media outlet Enlace Judío about how AKIM makes inclusion a reality in Israel.

We’re grateful to May and the Enlace Judío team for sharing AKIM’s work with their vibrant community.

🎥 Watch the interview below.
https://youtu.be/jkh1jTMBBMM?si=4DfaZvFKo2GUnIrD

Friends of AKIM USA

Más acerca de este tema, visita nuestra página:https://www.enlacejudio.comÚnete a nuestro canal de WhatsApp:https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VanUm1hLNSa0KpfR...

25/12/2025

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲—𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
https://akimisrael.com/product/donation/
AKIM Israel works every day to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can live full, meaningful lives—just like anyone else.

For the past 7 decades, AKIM has been a national leader in empowering children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities.

Through education, community living, employment, leisure and recreation, and lifelong services, AKIM partners with families to help each person grow, thrive, and belong.

AKIM’s impact extends beyond those it serves directly. By raising awareness, creating opportunities for inclusion, and advocating for equality, AKIM is helping build a more accepting and compassionate Israeli society.

In the aftermath of October 7, 2023, we expanded support to meet the growing emotional and social needs of Israel’s most vulnerable populations—providing stability, continuity of care, and a sense of belonging during a time of profound uncertainty.

💙 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗔 𝗧𝗔𝗫-𝗗𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥-𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣 𝗕𝗨𝗜𝗟𝗗 𝗔 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗜𝗡 𝗜𝗦𝗥𝗔𝗘𝗟 💙
https://akimisrael.com/product/donation/

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 🕎