The tour featured visits to two distinct educational frameworks for boys. The first, Shaarei Tevunah, caters to high-functioning children and teens on the Autism spectrum. During their visit, the officials engaged with students, who not only shared insights into their learning experiences but also demonstrated their knowledge by successfully responding to questions posed to them by the Civil Service Commissioner.
The second school, Belibeinu Binah, caters to lower-functioning children and teens with dual diagnoses. Here, the members received a comprehensive overview of the information and communication technology (ICT) and supportive communication methods used in Seeach Sod's programs nationwide. These initiatives enable students whose cognitive understanding is higher than their expressive ability to communicate effectively.
Observing the contrasting needs of the two distinct populations attending adjacent frameworks, the tour participants learned about the diverse treatment and learning methodologies applied across all Seeach Sod's schools. They also received an overview of Seeach Sod's education and welfare frameworks throughout the country.
After seeing the hydrotherapy pool in the building, Mr. Yinon Aharon, the Director General of the Ministry of Welfare, noted that "it's a good thing some of the rooms were dark," because that way "no one was able to see the tears in my eyes." Then he added, "I just want to point out to the Commissioner that in my position, I have been to many places throughout the country, and this is one of the best one in this field. Our society is measured precisely in these links – and I am moved to see that here they have managed to turn the weaker links into very strong ones."
Adv. Bentzi Feigelson, the Custodian General, said, "Your commitment to care for this population is infectious. Here we understand just how much we need pioneers like you – founder Rabbi Dov Levy and his son, Rabbi Shimon Levy, who continues the revolution and leads it forward… This gives us the strength to go back to the office and continue doing great things."
The Civil Service Commissioner, Rabbi Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz, encapsulated the tour with the following words: "When we begin from the premise that no two individuals are identical and that there is no 'standard', then we are all different from each other. The remarkable achievement here is the channeling of the abilities of the disabled children to great heights, not by finding a solution to the problem but through truly recognizing their capabilities. The robust integration into the community that I witnessed here, that's an integral part of an educational institution. When a child goes back home and sees that in school he does the same things that his siblings do – there's nothing more powerful than that knowledge. I see the positive spirit here, the passion that guides you. Nowhere in the world is there such an approach to the population of people with disabilities, and I am very proud of that."
