The William Trump Chesed Award for `outstanding commitment
to children with developmental disabilities' was bestowed on
Sulam, a day care center for exceptional children in
Jerusalem, with the Recognition Award going to the Haifa
Center for Children with Learning Disabilities in an
impressive ceremony at Beit Issi Shapiro in Ra'anana.
With an audience comprising all segments of Israeli society,
it was indeed a kiddush Hashem when two of the four
prizes this year went to frum institutions, following
in the footsteps of Ezer Mitzion that received last year's
first prize. Present at the ceremony was Rabbi Nosson
Greenberg, Associate Director of Bituach Leumi, the Mayor of
Ra'anana, Ze'ev Bielsky, and the guest of honor, the wife of
former Israeli President Ezer Weizman. On behalf of the
judges, Mrs. Yudis Gayne praised Sulam for its contribution
to the chareidi world and for its outstanding dealing with
the exceptional child since its inception 20 years ago. Her
laudatory description of the work done in the chareidi
community at large for exceptional youngsters was most
inspiring.
Rebbetzin Faige Ernster, the founder of Sulam and the moving
spirit behind its activities, accepted the prestigious award
from Mrs. Cassel representing the Trump Family of Miami,
Florida.
A citation for improving the lot of learning disabled
children was given to Dr. J. Lubasch, the founding director
of the Haifa Center for Children with Learning Disabilities.
Established in 1990, Dr. Lubasch's center set out to provide
vital services for the local community in areas where they
were lacking. As a practicing pediatrician, he was in a
unique position to evaluate the needs of the families in the
community. The Center, which was the first in a number of
unique caring environments for people in need, provides
professional services for the child and family.
One out of every ten children suffers from learning
disabilities. The social and financial burden on society in
subsequently having to deal with these children who have
gone untreated is great. The Center provides a service not
only to these youngsters and their families but also to
society as a whole by turning boys and girls with learning
disabilities into productive, contributing members of our
society rather than allowing them to become a burden.
The 100 children currently enrolled in this program are of
normal to high intelligence and study in regular schools.
Their difficulties range from reading, writing, to fine
motor and language skills. A multi-disciplinary team of
speech, drama, art, math, and reading experts offers them
the special training, guidance and reinforcement needed to
overcome their problems. Unique to the Center is its
Snoezelen Room and Pet Therapy programs.
Recognizing the notable contribution of the Center to the
city's educational system, the Haifa Municipality two years
ago, granted the Machon a spacious two-story building. With
the move to new quarters, more youngsters have been
enrolled, programs have been expanded and new vistas added
to answer the needs of families in the community.
