Shalva: The Association for Mentally and Physically Challenged Children
Shalva was founded on the premise that mentally and physically challenged children are not just the responsibility of the families to which they were born. "Heaven’s very special children," and their families, need and deserve the support of the extended community to be part of society and not apart.

Shalva, which means peace of mind, tranquility, gives the mentally challenged a chance to play their special role in this world. Shalva enables parents to cope with the incessant pressures of caring for a severely challenged child, and to experience the joy and satisfaction of raising their exceptional child at home. With its dedicated staff of professional educators and therapists, and augmented by trained volunteers, Shalva provides top notch programs for hundreds of special needs children from the entire spectrum of Israeli society.

A Unique Model for Religious and Cultural Tolerance
Shalva has become a unique model for religious and cultural tolerance and dialogue as Jewish, Christian and Muslim families have bonded together to care for their special children under the auspices of Shalva. In a conflict-ridden part of the world, we often overlook vital social services to the tragic detriment of the children that rely on them. Shalva is more than a special needs association in Israel, it is a model association in the Middle East that brings parents from dramatically different lives and ideals to champion the development of their special children.

Therapies Include

Art Therapy Baby Therapy Dance Therapy Occupational Therapy

Physiotherapy Psychodrama Pet Therapy Computer Therapy

Hydrotherapy Home Economics and much much more...

Shalva's operations in Israel have achieved ISO 9001/2000 recognition and certification for compliance with the highest international standards of quality management. Shalva is the first Israeli organization of its kind to attain this status.

For more information, visit us online at www.shalva.org.

Meet The Board

Founder and Director Kalman Samuels President Ari Storch Chairs of the Board Nathan Low Leon Wagner Chairman of the Board Emeritus Hillel Weinberger Vice President Adam Chill Treasurer Yoni Leifer Secretary Jacques Semmelman Executive Committee Richard Abbe Raanan Agus

Norman Alpert Neil Cohen Carol Levin Mitchell Presser Daniel Schwartz Amy Verschleiser Dov Wiener Board of Directors Nicole Agus Jane Alpert Ludwig Bravmann Harry Freund Jay Goldsmith Ishaia Gol Lois Hager Mordechai Hager Debbie Jonas Howard Jonas Nathan Kahn Sandy Kahn George Karfunkel Lisa Low Basya Lowinger Tina Machnikoff

Matthew Maryles Nachman Mazurek Ruth Mazurek Lauren Presser Gabrielle Propp Tommy Rosenthal Dr. Lindsay Rosenwald Debbie Schwartz Yossi Segal Jack Silver Michael Slade Ruth Slade Soli Spira Vera Spira James Tisch Executive Director Leo Klein Development Executive Shira Bitansky