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ALYN NEWS2010/2011
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A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM DR. SHIRLEY MEYER Director General ALYN HospitalDespite the global economic and political turmoil around us, we, here in ALYN Hospital, are determined to uphold our pledge to continue to improve the quality of the lives of the thousands of physically challenged children, regardless of religion or ethnic origin, assigned to our care. ALYN is not prepared to compromise in any way on the highest possible level of treatment for which we are world renowned and we are continuing to initiate exciting new projects both within the Hospital and to expand our outreach programs within the community.
I take enormous pride in our staff, whether they are treating children here in the Hospital, representing ALYN in Haiti, leading workshops and seminars or presenting research papers abroad at international conferences. Our medical and paramedical staff are of the highest professional caliber and this, combined with their compassion, dedication and concern for the children undergoing rehabilitation in ALYN results in the successes and achievements with which you are our highly valued partners.
We are always looking towards the future… towards development and initiation of new and improved rehabilitation treatment methods. We acknowledge that the pursuit and achievement of these goals are only made possible by the generous support of our worldwide network of caring friends and we are grateful to you all for endorsing the significance of our work through your loyal and unwavering support.
As always, on behalf of the children, their families and the staff of ALYN Hospital I thank you all most sincerely for your support.
S. Meyer, M.D.
ALYN HOSPITAL BOARD MEMBERS (all volunteer positions):
Mr. Meir Tchorz Chairman of the Board
Mr. Eli Kahn Chairman, ALYN Society
Mr. Yoel Natan Chairman, Finance Committee
Mr. Menachem Arbel
Adv. Rachel Blumenthal
Prof. David Branski
Dr. Yechezkiel Cain
Mr. Gabi Daus
Mr. Yuval Elitzur
Adv. Ya’acov Hirsch
Adv. Barry Levenfeld
Rabbi Gary Glickstein
Prof. Ariel Melvitzki
Mr. Yoel Natan
Adv. Mark Sherman
Mr. Eli Shpanitz
Mr. David Simon
Mr. Isaac Sutton
Dr. Ido Yatziv
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A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM DR. SHIRLEY MEYER Director General ALYN Hospital
A REMINDER!ALYN Hospital, one of the world’s leading specialists in the active and intensive rehabilitation of children regardless of religion or ethnic origin, is the only facility of its kind in Israel.
Whom do we treat?ALYN treats children who are afflicted with a broad range of physical disabilities. Over the years ALYN has developed a wealth of expertise in the rehabilitation of infants, children and adolescents suffering from motor, cognitive, communication and behavioural problems, resulting from trauma, brain and spinal cord injuries, congenital or progressive muscle, nerve and bone diseases, severe burns, orthopedic or neurosurgical procedures, respiratory insufficiency, various feeding disorders and sequelae of cancer.
What is the basis of ALYN’s rehabilitation programs? a multidisciplinary and holistic
approach use of the latest medical
equipment and techniques a personalized program for each
patient, constantly adjusted according to the patient’s progress
What are ALYN’s goals for the children in its care?The ultimate aim of ALYN is to habilitate/rehabilitate the youngsters in its care and to return them, together with their families to the community as quickly as possible, having provided them with the skills to function as productive, and where possible, independent citizens.
How is ALYN funded?ALYN is an officially registered non-profit facility and only a portion of every child’s care is reimbursed by the Israeli Health Funds or other referring agencies. Consequently ALYN MUST raise a MINIMUM of $3,000,000 of its annual budget through donations in order to bridge the ever-fluctuating “gap” between the Ministry of Health fixed maximum tariffs and the actual costs of ALYN’s specialized multidisciplinary therapies which each child in ALYN’s care receives. In addition, ALYN has to raise donations to cover 100% of the funds needed for development which includes the purchase and replacement of equipment, research and special projects as well as renovations and outreach projects within the community.
To find out more about ALYN HOSPITAL and the multidisciplinary services provided please click on our website www.alyn.org
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Severely injured in a road accident little Ori was admitted to ALYN during the summer of 2009.
As he slowly began to regain his strength and worked on his intensive multidisciplinary personalized rehabilitation program Ori, encouraged by the doctors, paramedical team and his parents, made progress step by step.
Soon after the accident and whilst still dependent on a wheelchair Ori was weaned off a feeding tube and was encouraged to eat regular food by Merav Raveh, one of ALYN’s speech and language therapists.
Hydrotherapy with ALYN’s senior hydrotherapist Ruthi Tirosh
Occupational therapy includes cooking therapy!
After a few months of intensive physiotherapy Ori learnt to walk again helped along by physiotherapist Hemda Rotem, a back walker and a Theratog “suit” which gently supported his body by providing an “external skin” of strapping applications
ORI’S STORYMultidisciplinary Rehabilitation
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The next challenges were learning to climb up and down stairs...
...ride a therapeutic tricycle... ...give a good punch encouraged by medical clown Sigalit...
...feed a baby duck, the youngest member of ALYN Hospital’s animal assisted therapy team, which helped to improveOri’s eye-hand coordination, concentration and fine motor movements...
...and even kick a football!
...walk independently around ALYN...
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Riki Yahalom-Arbel ALYN's animal assisted therapist
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This year, within the framework of ALYN Hospital’s Animal Assisted Therapy Program, a unique event occurred! A baby rabbit belonging to ALYN’s animal assisted therapist was born physically challenged. Both her back legs were paralyzed. She was named ALYNA and ALYN’s biomechanical technician volunteered to design a special scooter for her which would give her independent mobility !
Within no time at all ALYNA became a great source of inspiration to the Hospital’s physically challenged children! Many face the same challenge as ALYNA did - the challenge to attain independent mobility. Seeing how ALYNA initially struggled with her scooter but then succeeded in mastering it and watching her scampering independently along the corridors of ALYN significantly increased their motivation: “If ALYNA can, so can WE!”
Riki Yahalom-Arbel, ALYN Hospital’s animal assisted therapist reports: “Animal assisted therapy was introduced into ALYN Hospital 5 years ago and since then over 2000 animal assisted therapy sessions have taken place! There is absolutely no doubt that working with animals greatly increases a child’s motivation to achieve specific rehabilitation goals and it is rare to find a child who does not want to participate in a therapy session when an animal is involved! The animals with whom I work which include a cockatiel, snake, guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters, truly play an important role in the success of the multidisciplinary therapy sessions in which they participate.”
RUN RABBIT RUN!!!ALYN’s children are inspired by a baby rabbit rehabilitated in ALYN! Yet another first for ALYN Hospital!
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ALYN HOSPITAL’SREHABILITATION 24/7In addition to the daily intensive multidisciplinary therapy received by each hospitalized patient in ALYN’s Rehabilitation Ward, a new program called ALYN Rehabilitation 24/7 fills each patient’s day, from early morning until the evening, with a wide variety of educational and recreational activities with the goal of making the daily routine within ALYN Hospital as similar as possible to life in the community vis a vis regular daily activities such as going to school and afternoon leisure activities.
Every child over the age of three receives a personalized education plan, in addition to their personalized rehabilitation schedule, and within the context of the ALYN Hospital’s Cultural Competency Program both Arabic and Hebrew speaking teachers are provided.
During the afternoon and early evening hours, under the direction of Sivan Nataf (right) together with teaching assistants and volunteers, music, cooking, arts and crafts, sport, story time, traditional and computer games are all part of a fully organized program enjoyed by both the patients and their families!
The Rehabilitation 24/7 Project is coordinated by Tal Cohen and the activities take place in the Herbert L. Mendelson Family Services and Recreational Unit and in “Stacy’s Place: Time Out for a Break”.
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ALYN HOSPITAL THERAPISTS REACH OUT to physically challenged children around the world
Following the horrific earthquake, eight ALYN therapists under the auspices of ISRAid, travelled to Haiti over a period of three months to share their unique expertise and knowledge of pediatric rehabilitation with local staff and to treat hundreds of young amputees and children suffering from extensive physical injuries. Coos Weber (below), the first ALYN physiotherapist to arrive in Haiti reported: “On my arrival at one of the hospitals I immediately began to encourage the patients to get out of bed! Unbelievably most of the young amputees had been lying down doing absolutely nothing for more than a month! Suddenly all the children wanted to learn to walk again!”
UKRAINE ALYN Hospital therapists demonstrate therapeutic techniquesUnder the auspices of Jewish Health International Naomi Gefen, ALYN’s Director of Occupational Therapy and Director of External Relations and Head of Project Development together with ALYN physiotherapist Hemda Rotem travelled to Odessa where they conducted in-depth evaluations of children with special needs and demonstrated therapeutic techniques.
MOLDOVAALYN Hospital therapist shares her knowledge and experience with local therapists Vicky Petrov, Director of ALYN’s Speech and Language Therapy Department recently participated in a Jewish Health International medical mission to Chisinau, Moldova where she gave consultations to special needs children and their parents. Vicky (above right) reports: “Particularly moving was the story of Julie, a 17 year old girl suffering from severe cerebral palsy who lived with her grandmother. Lacking any ability to speak, her only means of communication was by using eye and facial expressions. I immediately created a communication board for her and it was an unbelievable success ! Julie’s grandmother begged me to tell the local staff that Julie is not mentally challenged – she understands everything…….she just could not express herself ”.
HAITIALYN sends therapists to offer expertise and begin rehabilitation…
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If you can regularly devote 3 – 4 hours a week of your time we can offer you a variety of interesting and satisfying voluntary jobs which involve either direct contact with the patients and their families or are related to administrative and practical jobs around the Hospital.
For additional details please contact: Dorit Zilberstein Volunteer CoordinatorTel: 02-6494330 | [email protected]
Highlighting a new ALYN staff member
Rachel Reinstein, a qualified occupational therapist from the United States visited Israel in 2008 to explore the possibility of making aliyah. She began working in ALYN Hospital and after being offered a permanent position she decided to make aliyah in April 2010! “It is a privilege to be a part of ALYN’s professional staff. Working in the Hospital has been both satisfying and stimulating. I am so happy that I have been able to make aliyah and grateful for the opportunity that ALYN has given me to impact on the lives of Israel’s physically challenged children.”
First-hand report from Danielle Carmi, a volunteer in one of the infant classes in Shachar ALYN’s Rehabilitation Educational Medical Day Care Center.“On my first day of volunteering in ALYN it was a real delight to meet the classroom staff. It has been amazing for me to witness the warmth and care which they give to all the children and I feel really blessed to be part of such a wonderful team. I have experienced many special moments with them and no words can express the feeling of seeing the smiles on the faces of the children. I witnessed the joy of one of “my” little girls, who had been in a wheelchair for most of her life, taking her first steps! The children of ALYN have become very close to my heart and I am so grateful for this opportunity to volunteer.“
Highlighting an ALYN volunteer
ALYN HOSPITAL HELPS ALIYAH!
LIVING IN ISRAEL?JOIN THE “FAMILY” OF ALYN VOLUNTEERS!
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THE SKY’S THE LIMIT!!
Up Up and Away for ALYN’s physically challenged childrenChallenging Sports Activities!ALYN Hospital’s collaboration with Etgarim (a non-profit organization which brings challenging sports activities to physically challenged children and adults) brings a unique combination of educational activity and improvement of functional movement and self esteem to ALYN’s patients as well as giving them enormous pleasure! Children with low motivation who are not prepared to cooperate during regular therapy sessions often make a “360 degree turn” during an Etgarim activity ! By encouraging them to focus positively on their abilities, the children are given the opportunity to succeed and excel through challenging sports!!
Coral in training for the 10th ALYN Hospital International Charity Bike Ride “Wheels of Love” 2009
No words can describe the excitement and sense of achievement when the children descend the zip line,
donated by Paul and Alan Pariser, from the roof of ALYN Hospital down to the garden below!
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Innovations in pediatric rehabilitation for children undergoing treatment for cancer
Coral in training for the 10th ALYN Hospital International Charity Bike Ride “Wheels of Love” 2009
The wheels keep turning...Coral, recovering from the amputation of her right leg and treatment for cancer, was rehabilitated in ALYN and joined the Maslul Cycling Group riding on a specially adapted hand bicycle. She was determined to participate in Wheels of Love 2009 and after many hard hours of training she rode on the last day of the Ride, watched by hundreds of participants from all over the world! She was an inspiration to them all!
One of the many after - school sports activities for special needs children offered by ALYN’s Dyna and Fala Weinstock Maslul Sports and Leisure Center is a Cycling Group under the instruction of Erez Cohen, a veteran rider who has led the Challenge Route in ALYN’s “Wheels of Love” International Charity Bike Ride for the last few years !
her right leg and treatment for cancer, was This year Rochele, who as a child spent many years being rehabilitated in ALYN and who traditionally cuts the ribbon on the first day of the annual ALYN Wheels of Love Ride and leads the participants in the singing of Hatikva, has decided to train for the WOL 2010 Ride!
In order to try and deal with the muscle weakening side effects of chemo and radiation therapy for young cancer patients, ALYN Hospital and Hadassah Medical Center’s Pediatric Oncology Department have recently established a joint pilot project in which Hadassah refers young cancer patients to ALYN immediately after they have commenced their oncology treatment in Hadassah. Participating in a multidisciplinary personalized rehabilitation program helps to strengthen the young patients between their oncology treatments and when these treatments are completed the cancer patient is in a stronger condition, both emotionally and physically, to return to the community. By concentrating on rehabilitation the patient and their family generally find it easier to focus positively on the future.
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ALYN rehabilitates: TWO AT A TIME!Identical three year old twins Taha and Yassin, born with a congenital muscle condition, have been fully ventilated since the age of six months. Having completed their respiratory rehabilitation whilst hospitalized in ALYN Hospital’s intensive care Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit the twins now live at home and attend Shachar ALYN Hospital’s Rehabilitation Education Medical Day Care Center on a daily basis where they continue to receive multidisciplinary rehabilitation.
Hydrotherapy, occupational therapy (including water play) and music therapy are just three of the multidisciplinary therapies which the twins enjoy, in addition to a variety of educational activities such as story time with Shachar kindergarten teacher Avital Ben Shushan (right).
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PARENT’S INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM THROUGH INTERACTIVE PLAY THERAPY for the ALYN Hospital’s Infant Day Care classes
The Program uses play to encourage physically challenged infants and their families to interact and play together in a specific way which will help the challenged child achieve particular rehabilitation goals. Parents are regularly invited into the classrooms of Shachar’s Infant Day Care where they receive instruction about a particular game which is suitable for their child and which will encourage the child’s development – both physically and cognitively. The play sessions are followed by group discussions with practical guiding and support led by ALYN’s occupational therapists together with the Shachar educational team. Periodically siblings are also invited to these meetings. Every family receives a game or two, suitable to their child’s needs, to play with at home for the next couple of weeks. The Project staff have received a great deal of positive feedback. Families happily report a definite increase in positive bilateral interaction between the special needs child, their siblings and their parents…. and a reduction of TV time!
In 2009 a summer camp based on two theories - one which recommends restraining the child’s functional arm in order to improve the function of the weaker arm, and the other called HABIT – hand arm bilateral intensive therapy developed by Prof. Andrew Gordon of Columbia University, took place in ALYN Hospital for 9 children who all have one weak arm. They experienced two weeks of intensive multidisciplinary therapies and activities and once a day their good arm was restrained for one hour. The camp was a great success and when the children realized that they were “working” with both hands their self esteem improved no end! This research project organized by Marilyn Cohen, one of ALYN Hospital’s occupational therapists, will continue this year with a similar summer camp.
Getting into the HABIT
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MA’AYAN, endowed by the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County in honor of Barbara and Leonard Littman, provides a unique service for families of special needs children throughout Israel. MA’AYAN is staffed by ALYN Hospital’s occupational therapists who are specially trained in the fields of customized seating, use of technical aids such as manual and powered wheelchairs, bathing aids and personalized adaptations of equipment. Families bring their physically challenged infants, children, adolescents and young adults to MA’AYAN to receive advice and recommendations for any equipment which can improve their child’s quality of life and independence both inside the home and outside within the community. The MA’AYAN staff evaluate and assess the patient and their family and then give recommendations and information regarding the purchase of the most suitable equipment.
The MA’AYAN staff is often called upon to lecture, give advice and demonstrate at other medical facilities around the country. Day seminars, workshops and conferences are held at ALYN Hospital on subjects such as safe seating and mobility, technical aids, wheelchair selection and safe transportation of children with special needs. In order to encourage safe transport, special car seats are lent out to families and MA’AYAN staff demonstrate their correct installation.
This “Safe Transportation of Children with Special Needs Project”, funded by the Mischon Family, was initiated and developed in ALYN Hospital by one of ALYN’s veteran occupational therapists Taube Korn z”l. She taught many occupational therapists around the country and instructed many parents and carers of special needs children in the important elements of safe seating thereby enabling thousands of special needs children nationwide to benefit from her expertise and knowledge.
HIGHLIGHTING MA’AYAN ALYN Hospital’s Child Enabling Demonstration and Display Center
Naomi Gefen, Director of Occupational Therapy (and Director of
External Relations and Head of Project Development),
evaluating a young patient for correct seating in MA’AYAN
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ALYN Hospital’s 10TH Anniversary International Charity Bike Ride “Wheels of Love” 2009Dear ALYN Community,The Wheels of Love had a fabulous celebration of our first decade last year – we went from a cobbled-together ride of 9 riders in 2000 to a fully-supported 600+ rider multi-route professional sporting event last year. We can look back with pride at the over $15,000,000 we’ve raised for the children of ALYN Hospital, the friends we’ve made, the kilometers and miles we’ve ridden, the sore muscles we’ve soothed, and the exhilaration we’ve felt.
We have worked extremely hard to perfect the Wheels of Love experience. Behind-the-scenes, the exceptional Wheels of Love staff has put together a logistical machine that is not to be matched in this country, and from the initial information about the Ride, through the registration, and continuing from the check-in to the send-off, the experience brings back riders year after year. This Ride has it all – the satisfaction of working for a good cause, the challenge of a sporting activity, and a love for the State and Land of Israel.
To reach ever-higher, we have expanded our routes to places we have not been to before. On-roaders will touch the Egyptian border and off-roaders will enjoy the amazing Be’eri cycling area.
It has been an honor and a privilege to work closely with the staff at the Hospital and to make lifetime friends with riders from around the world. We have been able to touch so many lives, both those in need and those who are giving – yet we continue to receive far more than we are ever able to give.
Warm regards,David Arnovitz and Ellen BucksteinWheels of Love rider’s committee 2010 co-chairs
THE 11TH ALYN “WHEELS OF LOVE”INTERNATIONAL CHARITY BIKE RIDE 2010 FOR THE CHILDREN OF ALYN HOSPITALOCTOBER 24th TO 28th 20105 unforgettable days of cycling along 5 different routes in the spectacular scenery of the Negev desertFor details and registration:www.alynride.org
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STOP PRESS NEWS!We are delighted and proud to be able to share with you information about some of the additional projects, plans for the near future and news items for which, unfortunately there is not sufficient room to feature more fully in this ALYN News.
OUTREACH PROJECTS: One of ALYN’s outreach projects “Learning How to Eat” is being expanded this year. The basic goals of this Project, funded by BOEING INTERNATIONAL and organized by ALYN’s speech and language therapists are (1) to inform parents about the normal developmental milestones in infant feeding so that they will have the knowledge to identify problems when they occur and thus prevent emotional stress which may encompass the entire family unit (2) to prevent serious eating problems as infants grow older through detection at an early age (3) to provide information, guidance and support for inexperienced parents on correct nutrition (4) to increase awareness within the community of ALYN Hospital in general and of ALYN Hospital’s Eating Clinic in particular.
ALYN’S ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR LOAN PROJECT, funded by the National Insurance Institute and a private donor, lends electric wheelchairs to physically challenged children under the age of 6, who, due to the age limitation (of 6) enforced by the Ministry of Health, were not eligible to receive one from them despite their need. We are proud to inform you that this Loan Project has proved to the Ministry of Health that this regulation is too binding and that even younger children can benefit from using such powered wheelchairs. The Ministry is now in the process of changing this regulation so that a child in the community of any age who has received a positive evaluation from the ALYN therapists as to their competency to handle an electric wheelchair, will be eligible to receive one from them.
PEDIATRIC REHABILITATION RESEARCH: This year a number of research papers written by ALYN staff have been accepted for publication and presentation at international conferences.
PARENTS AND PERSONAL CAREGIVERS OF VENTILATOR-DEPENDENT CHILDREN CAN NOW RECEIVE INSTRUCTION FROM ALYN’S RESPIRATORY NURSING STAFF, in the practical aspects of respiratory care. One of the goals of these courses is to enable a ventilator-dependent child, accompanied by their carer, to have the necessary and safe respiratory care whilst they are in school.
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GREEN ALYN: ALYN continues GOING GREEN with plans for this year to install solar energy panels on the roof of the Hospital, to reduce water consumption in the ALYN gardens and to change over from radiators to convectors for heating purposes in order to conserve energy.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: ALYN Hospital continues to be approached by various medical facilities around the world with a view to fostering cooperation on various levels. Following previous exchange visits of high level staff, this year the Chief Medical Officer of Blythedale Children’s Hospital, New York, Dr. Joelle Mast and their Chief Nursing Officer Linda Hurvitz both visited ALYN.
MEDICAL TOURISM PROGRAM: ALYN’s medical tourism program is being developed and expanded.
DR. ELIEZER BE’ERI, DIRECTOR OF THE HOSPITAL’S INTENSIVE CARE RESPIRATORY REHABILITATION UNIT, has been invited to become a member of the editorial advisory board of the prestigious journal, “Respiratory Care, European Edition”. This is a professional journal publishing research and reviews in the field of respiratory care and ventilation for physicians, nurses, researchers and other healthcare providers.
Left to right:Linda Hurvitz, Chief Nursing Officer Blythedale Children’s Hospital New York with ALYN staff Tsaffy Hillel-Diamant, Director of Nursing, Devora Ben Zvi, Assistant Director of Nursing and Inge Pahima, Nurse Manager Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit.
Dr. Eliezer Be’eri, Director of ALYN Hospital’s intensive care Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit Above: Maryam from Nigeria upon her arrival at ALYN HospitalBelow: Maryam on the eve of her departure after intensive rehabilitation following surgery
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All the children featured in the ALYN NEWS thank you, our supporters who include the thousands of individuals and the many foundations, funds, organizations, synagogues, committees, schools, etc., all over the world who collect funds directly for ALYN Hospital. Words cannot express our appreciation for your devoted support and only the limitation of space in these pages, which are dedicated to our official Chapters and Groups, precludes us from mentioning each and every one of you by name.
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF ALYN HOSPITALCathy Lanyard, Executive Director51 E. 42nd Street, Suite 308New York, NY 10017212-869-8085, fax 212-768-0979TOLLFREE 877 LOVE [email protected] Exempt# 13-6100833“The last year reminds me of the famous Dickens quote ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times’. This has been a very challenging year financially for the world. We have certainly felt it here; which only highlights how especially meaningful and appreciated every single gift given by every wonderful friend is. There have been “bests” too though and each should be celebrated. The work being done at ALYN Hospital and stories about some of the amazing children were featured this year on the front page of the New York Times, in People Magazine and seen firsthand by our most prominent Jewish politician, Rahm Emanuel. This exposure is fabulous and exciting and as the American Friends, we are doubly proud. I want to suggest a “best” way to celebrate Hanukah this year. In November, we are launching a brand new, fabulous, interactive online gift giving program called “I WISH”. Please visit www.alynus.org/wish to find the most wonderful way to give a meaningful holiday gift. Every gift you make online helps to light up the Jerusalem sky (you will actually see it get brighter!!) above ALYN Hospital. Your gifts will, in turn, light up the lives of ALYN’s children. When you give a gift in the name of your friends, children and grandchildren they will receive an email letting them know. Then they can visit the site to search for their name and your personal message to them. It’s a meaningful gift for anyone at any age and a wonderful way to support ALYN this coming Hanukah. With your help, together, you make it possible for the staff at ALYN to transform disabilities into abilities.”
DETROIT FRIENDS OF ALYNPresident: Sharon CohenE-Mail: [email protected] Detroit Chapter has a long and proud history of supporting ALYN. Our connection to the hospital and children is as strong as ever. This past year the child of one of our long time friends volunteered at the hospital as part of her post-high school year in Israel. We are also continuing our tzedakah box campaign as well as our education programs to area schools. Some of our cycling Detroiters who make up TEAM ALEX are thrilled that they are able to return to the annual charity bike ride the WHEELS OF LOVE this year.
MIAMI FRIENDS OF ALYNPresident: Beverly [email protected]“This chapter defies the rules of aging! Members continue to meet for luncheons and bingo nights and never let an occasion go by without supporting the tribute program. Miami members have been very generous in celebrating their birthdays and anniversaries with donations to the children. This year long time members Irene Bookman, Harvey Berman, Phil and Valerie Krop, Pearl Levan, Irv and Sally Sirotkin, man and wife Resnick and man and wife Rosenberg as well as Bev and David Freedman were blessed this year with great-grandchildren. All agreed that there is no better way to celebrate such “naches” than giving to the children of ALYN! A highlight meeting of the past year was meeting Maris Katsir and having her tell the Chapter all about her visit to ALYN. She was awed by what she called “wonders” being done at ALYN on a daily basis. Maris had a VIP tour and saw the new methods and accomplishments. What impressed her the most was the happy atmosphere. She was moved by “not hearing a whimper or a cry throughout the hospital no matter how intense the treatment.” Chapter members were also inspired by Doreen and Ron Shapiro who spoke to them about their experiences as volunteers at ALYN. The Shapiros have returned to Israel and the Miami members wish them the best!”
AUSTRIA VEREIN DER FREUNDE VON ALYN OSTERREICHChairperson: Mrs. Sara MoskovicsSingerstrasse 27, 1010 ViennaMrs. Sara Moskovics continues her devotion to Alyn and encourages her friends and colleagues to make donations to the Hospital.
CANADIAN FRIENDS OF ALYN Director: Dr. Joel Kula [email protected]“Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the WHEELS OF LOVE Ride to help the kids of ALYN was certainly my personal highlight. Touring the Golan Heights was spectacular, all aspects of the ride were well organized as usual and riding with good friends made for one terrific experience. Presentations by members of the Druze committee were inspiring and learning about the critical role that ALYN played in their rehabilitation gave every single rider an even stronger sense of purpose. Listening to a mother who knowingly adopted a severely handicapped boy with Osteogenesis Imperfecta was another unbelievable experience. She described the progress her son has made at ALYN Hospital and there wasn’t a dry eye among us. Biking into ALYN Hospital was once again the highlight of the WOL ride. Being greeted by these incredibly brave children, whose daily struggles are so immense, makes you so proud to be a member of the ALYN family.I was very proud to represent Canada during the flame lighting ceremony where all participating countries were recognized for their contribution to ALYN over the past 10 years of the Wheels of Love Ride. I hope that the numbers of Canadians participating in the Ride and supporting ALYN in other ways will continue to grow.”
FRANCEAMIS D’ALYNPresident: Dr. Richard SionTel: 33 1 208 7395Treasurer: Mr. Joseph Sa’adonSecretary: Mrs. Serge Fellows“Amis d’Alyn will be delighted to continue handling the sponsorships for the French bike riders who take part in Alyn’s International Charity Bike Ride.”
GREAT BRITAINFRIENDS OF ALYNRegistered Charity No: 232689Hon. Chairman: David [email protected]. Secretary: Mrs. Maureen [email protected] Tel: 020 8883 4716 “The committee of Friends of ALYN has continued to be a source of strength through their efforts. My sincerest appreciation goes first and foremost to our dedicated Hon. Secretary Maureen Lowry for all her efforts and all the time she invests and as always my thanks too to our Committee Members Debbie Bloom, Susan and Shlomo Hirt, Judy Landau and Nigel Miller. I also wish to thank the many friends and supporters whose generosity never goes unnoticed. I offer particular thanks and admiration to Ian Lester who gave of his time to train for and run the London Marathon, and in so doing raised a substantial amount for Alyn. Lastly, I thank those kind people who ask their friends and relatives to make donations to ALYN on special “landmark” occasions in their lives such as Birthdays, Bar/Batmitzvahs, Weddings, Anniversaries etc.”
AID FOR ALYNJoint Chairmen: Zena and Victor [email protected]. Treasurer: Alan Harrison“Aid for ALYN is in a state of flux at the present time due to the untimely death of the Hon. Secretary Kenneth Morris. Ken was a long standing and invaluable member and is much missed. Due to the drastic fallaway of active members of the Committee there has been no recent function to report on. An appeal letter produced gratifying results. We have been fortunate in interesting the next generation of daughters of past or present Committee members who have recently come together to try to find a way forward. At our invitation, Sharon Barnett, the daughter of the late Henny and Charles Midgen met together with a group of other ladies, two of whom are also daughters of existing committee members, to try to carry on the activities of Aid for ALYN. At this stage it is too early to comment on their activities but we are optimistic about their future. They are all enthusiastic supporters. Zena and I remain Co-Chairmen and Alan Harrison is still Treasurer for the present but we hope to hand over these offices in due course to the new committee.”
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ARCADIANS CHARITABLE COMMITTEECo-Chairmen: Fenella Young and Leon [email protected]: Avram ShapirTel: 0208 883 5913“We continue with our pattern of three or four functions in the year in aid of Alyn. This year included a bridge lunch, a visit to a glass blowing factory and a theatre evening, for varying numbers of people, all successful. We meet about once every two months and also have a collection at our meetings. Further functions are now being planned for 2011.”
SCOTTISH FRIENDS OF ALYNPresident: Lady Hazel CosgroveChairman: Clarice [email protected]“As usual we received an excellent response from our annual mailing and many of our devoted supporters continue to mark their celebrations by asking for donations to be made to Alyn in lieu of gifts. Alyn now has many friends in Scotland!”
SOUTHPORT AND SOUTH MANCHESTER FRIENDS OF ALYNTreasurer: Lynne [email protected]“We are a small band of girls who meet every six weeks or so for lunch in our respective homes inviting extra people if we wish. Several large donations have been received this year for special birthdays and anniversaries. The North Cheshire Jewish Primary School held their annual music evening which was very successful and all proceeds were donated to ALYN.”
HOLLANDSTICHTING VRIENDEN VAN HET ALYN HOSPITALChairman and Secretary: Suzy Raber-MeerschwamTreasurer: Céline Joosten-MogendorffMember of board: Marion de [email protected]“The year 2009 has financially been a very good year, thanks to the 15 cyclists who participated in the WOL and who raised over $40.000 for ALYN. Our foundation in Holland is rather small with 700 donors but many respond on our mailing which we send out twice a year. The result is that we can transfer a nice amount of money to ALYN several times a year. We organized another “Balls and Brains” day this year where guests could choose to play tennis or bridge and we provided coffee and cake and a very special lunch! We also encourage people to send a gift for ALYN instead of sending a present to a friend or relative who is celebrating a birthday or jubilee. Our donors, who are celebrating a special occasion, also often ask for a gift for Alyn, so they are happy with the gift, and ALYN is happy with the money!! We now have a very nice website www.alyn.nl and we have printed a new folders and notepaper. All this was covered by donations! We hope that 2010 will also be a good and peaceful year!
ISRAELJERUSALEM FUND FOR ALYNHon. Chairmen: Mark Sherman Adv. & Cecil DeitchCo-Chairpersons: Toby Shuster & Chana WeissContact Emails: [email protected] [email protected] (Chana)[email protected] (Toby)The annual contributions to the Jerusalem Fund for ALYN saw another increase for the year 2009/2010. With the continued efforts of those volunteers orchestrating the annual “Supper Quiz” fund raiser, we actually had to turn potential guests away. It was an evening booked to capacity. One of our Honorary Chairmen and current treasurer, Mr. Cecil Deitch deserves special attention for his continued efforts for this fund raiser, to which he has faithfully dedicated his time for more than two decades. Our volunteers from year to year excel at the services they provide the many children at ALYN. Isn’t this one of the things that makes an organization like ours worthwhile! At our “Antique Judaica Road Show” in June 2010, Mr. William Gross attended as the resident expert - evaluating our guests’ Judaica antiques and collectibles. We want to give a very special thanks to Mr. Gross for donating his valuable expert services and time. His inimitable style of interspersing each appraisal with levity and expertise made the evening all the more memorable. We must also thank the Hartman Institute for their gracious cooperation for all aspects of the event – down to the very last detail. Due to our volunteers’ unswerving dedication, the generosity of Mr. Gross and others involved our annual major fund raiser yielded a profit of almost $15,000 for ALYN and the children.
ITALYAMICI DI ALYNPresident: Capt. Aldo [email protected] President: Enzo BassanSecretary: Laura Romano Radzik“It is a pleasure for me to begin with almost with the same words as I did in the last few years. In spite of the difficult financial situation our fundraising is doing well! The total amount raised in 2009 was $200,000. Our dear friend and devoted supporter of Amici di ALYN for almost 25 years, Gianfranco Moscati, has moved to Locarno, Switzerland, and therefore his donations are now channeled through Schweizer Freunde von ALYN. One of our major donors, Giacomo Brandenburg from Triest passed away – an enormous loss for Amici di ALYN, for the Jewish community of Trieste, for his wife Aristea and for his many friends including myself and my family. Our most sincere and heartfelt thanks for their generosity go to Leone Limentani (Rome), Eugenio De Benedetti (Genoa) and to Roberto and Sergio Pace (Venice) for their regular monthly donations. We are also extremely grateful to Giovannina Sullam Reinisch (Venice), Franca Romano Passigli (Bologna), Sandra Alatri (Milan), Simo Beraha (Milan), Michele Kropf (Triest), Gian Paolo Maffioli (Venice), Gianna Wagner de Polo Saibanti (Florence), Romano Calo (Rome) Giulia Matacena (Naples), Nicoletta Roccas De Veroli (Rome) and to so many others for their devoted support. A very generous donation was raised in Milan on the occasion of the Bar Mitzvah of Benianino Brociner. Mazal tov to this brave
young man! Laura Cesana, a renowned Venetian painter who lives in Lisbon made a generous donation in loving memory of her grandmother Ester Sestieri Tagliacozzo. Mrs. Aida Foà, President of the Italy-Israel Association in Padua, organized a concert and all proceeds were donated to ALYN. Another substantial sum was raised in honor of the marriage of Dr. Daniel Leghziel and Helena Nath in Miami. A donation arrived from Anna Vera Sullam Calimani to celebrate the wedding of her young son Davide Calimani to Elisa. Best wishes from us all! Anna Vera Calimani and her sister Dora Sullam Levis donated a leaf on the Tree of Life in memory of their beloved parents Renzo and Luciana Sullam and another leaf was donated by the Jewish community of Ferrara in memory of Celestina Ottolenghi, a pillar of the community. Relatives, friends and the husband of dear Fiorella Morpurgo Vidmar (Triest) donated another leaf for the Tree in her memory. Continuing my work for many hours a day, together with the indispensable help of my Board of Governors (Enzo Bassan, Laura R. Radzik, Fulvia Levi, Mara Tolentino, Marino Veronese, Luciana Roccas Sacerdoti and Gianfranco Moscati) we all wish ALYN a prosperous future and a better future for so many children, of all faiths and religions, who are being rehabilitated with “all the love they need”.
SWEDENFRIENDS OF ALYN SWEDENChairman: Dan-Louis [email protected]“The Swedish Friends of ALYN are continuing to raise money for the children.”
SWITZERLANDSCHWEIZER FREUNDE VON ALYN, JERUSALEMPresident: Janine Koerfer-WeillTel: 0041 1 724 [email protected] President: Anette Bollag-RothschildTreasurer: Rainer SchneemannFor Donations: Alyn FoundationRBS Coutts Bank Zurich (Schweiz)IBAN CH 8308620110818552001 USDIBAN CH 1308620110818552000 CHF“I continue our tradition of sending out an annual mailing letter and we receive many generous donations as a result of this. I also work hard in keeping up personal contacts with many of our donors by reminding them about the uniqueness of ALYN’’s multidisciplinary rehabilitation for all children regardless of their religion or ethnic origin and in addition I update them about ALYN’s newest projects and initiatives.”
An average of $95 per child per day is needed to bridge the gap between the fixed reimbursements received and the costs of both the quality and quantity of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatments which each child receives in ALYN Hospital.
Name
Address
City Code Country
I would like to be a partner with Alyn and wish to give a gift of:
and enclose my check made payable to Alyn Hospital
Credit card - Visa, Mastercard and American Express- donations can be phoned in to: Israel ++ 972 2 6494224 | USA 1 212 869 8085
Please be PARTNERS with us in helping us to continue to give all the children featured in these pages - and the thousands of others who will benefit from this partnership - the highest quality of rehabilitation treatments available.
MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, in the light of the continuing global economic crisis, YOUR HELP CAN TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Our Children can achieve a lot...but they cannot do it alone
Shmaryahu Levin Street 84,Kiryat Hayovel , P.O.B. 9117, Jerusalem 91090 ISRAEL
Tel: 972-2-6494224 Fax. 972-2-6433653
רח׳ שמריהו לוין 84קרית היובל, ת.ד. 9117, ירושלים 91090
:פקס :טל
www.alyn.org [email protected]
מרכז לשיקום ילדים ונוער
