Our social programs provide students with structured opportunities to develop interpersonal skills, practice independence, and foster meaningful connections within their communities.
Through carefully designed activities, workshops, and excursions, we create an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers participants to build confidence, enhance their social skills, and develop a strong sense of belonging. These programs address the diverse needs of our students, offering them valuable experiences that shape their personal growth and future success.
Shahaf - Social Rehabilitation And Leisure
The Shahaf Program provides social rehabilitation and leisure activities in partnership with our school for the blind. This initiative focuses on social connection, community integration, and independent living skills, helping participants build fulfilling and self-sufficient futures.
Many students at the Jewish Institute for the Blind (JIB) not only experience blindness or visual impairment but also face additional challenges such as learning disabilities, ADHD, neurological conditions, emotional or behavioral disorders, and complex social backgrounds. As a result, they require both social reinforcement and structured opportunities to practice independence.
Operating Sunday to Thursday afternoons, Shahaf extends the school day to provide students with a supportive space for academic practice, social engagement, and skill development. The program focuses on enhancing social skills, including teamwork, leadership, and healthy competition, while also addressing social isolation by integrating students into community activities.
Students participate in real-world experiences designed to promote self-expression, personal growth, and independence. Activities such as music, gardening, drama, and urban outings encourage creativity and interaction, while sports and physical activities develop coordination, spatial awareness, and confidence. In addition, students receive practical life skills training in areas such as food preparation, personal organization, hygiene, shopping, and mobility, ensuring they gain the tools needed for self-sufficiency.
To provide a structured and individualized experience, each group led by a trained coordinator and dedicated instructors. Volunteers, national service participants, and a social worker support the program. Regular evaluations and family communication help tailor the program to meet each student's evolving needs.
Students have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, build meaningful friendships, and strengthen their ability to navigate social and professional environments.
Shahaf operates on school days, Sunday through Thursday, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Kol Halev
Kol Halev is a social rehabilitation program for blind and visually impaired ultra-Orthodox youth who are integrated into the local education system. Many of these students attend schools that align with the cultural framework of the ultra-Orthodox community, such as Talmud Torah for boys and Beis Yaakov for girls. However, these schools often provide limited exposure to social development opportunities, independence training, and assistive technologies.
Kol Halev creates a structured peer group where students can develop social skills, learn to function independently, and gain access to specialized aids and technology. The program operates four days a week from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with boys and girls placed in separate groups. Participants receive homework assistance, computer training, leadership development, and practical life skills instruction.
Summer Camps
During the summer months, students have the opportunity to participate in specialized camps and outdoor experiences that reinforce independent living skills and provide valuable opportunities for social engagement. JIB sponsors various summer programs, including an innovative travel-based camp where older students explore different regions of Israel each year.
Yachad - Youth Together
A specialized program designed for blind and visually impaired teenagers who attend mainstream schools. Participants come together once a month to take part in experiential workshops, social activities, and leadership training.
While some activities take place at JIB, the program also includes excursions across Israel, offering students the opportunity to develop independence, build friendships, and engage with their surroundings. Sessions are held on weekends and school vacations, ensuring that students maintain consistent social connections throughout the year.
Youth Together also offers a leadership training course, where older participants can become mentors and guides for younger groups. Through this process, students develop confidence, leadership abilities, and teamwork skills, allowing them to take on active roles within their communities.
About Our Programs
The Jewish Institute for the Blind provides a wealth of programs and services adapted to suit the needs, interests, and capabilities of children and adults in the Blind and Visually Impaired community. These programs help guide students as they forge their own paths toward independence through education, rehabilitation, health, social welfare, and a caring, knowledgeable staff.
