Invitation From The Consul General Of Israel In Miami To Go On A Mission To Israel With European And North American Mayors - Part III

After we toured the bomb site in the city of Ramat Gan, we headed to Jerusalem. The first stop was Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Center. I have had the honor of visiting the center three times. You can actually spend days at the center.

The main exhibit and the surrounding building were designed by world-famous Moishe Safdie. The building is shaped in the form of a triangular prism. You enter into a world of darkness, and as you walk from room to room you cross over a main corridor that lights dramatically to the floor below.

The most famous room is the Hall of Names. This cone-shaped, 9-meter-high houses all the known names of Holocaust survivors. There is a matching bottom of the cone where you look down into the bedrock. This symbolizes all the unknown victims.

Multiple exhibits take the visitors through all aspects of the Holocaust. Hitler’s rise to power, propagandized antisemitism, the work camps, death camps, the war and the liberation. It is truly the main reason these missions are so important.

Non Jews and Jews alike can learn the true history of the holocaust and the Jewish people. Their strength and resilience through years of antisemitism and explosions from many countries. It also teaches those who visit the true nature and importance of the Jewish homeland, Israel.

From Yad Vashem we traveled to the Shalva Center. This world-renowned center was established to help people with disabilities. Ironically, the Ambassadors that lead our tour, Chaya and Chaim Bisker, used to have offices in Hallandale Beach. The couple gave birth to a daughter who had Autism. They found out about the center and now travel back and forth from Aventura to ensure their daughter has care to thrive.

This center has become a model for care and training. Doctors, students and caregivers from around the globe come to learn best practices. They serve all ages from birth to adulthood with the goal of inclusion and opportunity. The 220,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility is equipped with an Olympic pool, gymnasium, auditorium, multiple age- and ability-appropriate playgrounds, cafeteria, art rooms, and roof meeting space.

It was founded by Rabbi Kalman Samuels, whose son was not born disabled but received his second dose of DTP vaccine that was manufactured improperly. Their son Yossi woke up blind the next day and lost his hearing. There were now schools for them in Israel. They left Israel for New York to The Lighthouse For the Blind for treatment.

There were many people who did not support their effort for a better life for Yossi. Many, including a prominent Rebbetzin, told Malki to move Yossi out of the house and care for her other children. Malik and Kalman committed to caring for their child. They moved back to Israel, finding that they could only pursue legal action in Israel. Malki prayed to God that if you help get Yossi better, I will commit my life to caring for other children with disabilities.

They had what she referred to as a “Helen Keller” moment in Israel. A teacher who was deaf taught Yossi letters by hand. From there he took off and did not stop learning and growing. Rabbi worked and applied to the Israeli government to help him create the center. It grew and grew, and now it is a beacon of hope for over 2,000 children.

They provide everything from physical therapy to cognitive education. Children receive education from birth all the way to adult vocational training. Their model provides service for the entire family. Mothers and fathers have an opportunity to receive emotional support and training. The center also allows parents to stay overnight.

To find out more about the center and their services, visit: https://shavla.org. To find out more about the Samuels Family story they published a book, “Dreams Never Dreamed: A Mother's Promise that Transformed Her Son's Breakthrough Into a Beacon of Hope.”

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place at on Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at: Mayor Joy Cooper. Like! Follow! And share!