Inside Yad Sarah Spring 2016 Inside Yad Sarah

Inside Creative Arts at Yad Sarah revitalizes lives this Issue visitor to Yad Sarah in can’t help but notice the artwork Creative Arts at Yad Sarah...... 1 Adisplayed throughout the building. Some pieces are paintings and Report from the Executive Director...... 2 drawings by talented adults. Others are more whimsical projects created by As Seen on Facebook...... 3 children. They are all impressive in their own way. Yad Sarah’s Exhibition Center...... 4-5 But the story behind how they came to be in the first place is more Young Adults with Special Needs...... 4 interesting than the pieces themselves. Creative Arts (from page 1)...... 6 Through the creative process, people heal and grow. They build or regain cognitive abilities and physical skills. In many cases, they also make connections All About Yad Sarah...... 7 to themselves and to the community. Yad Sarah Vital Statistics 2015...... 7 That’s why the making of art and crafts is integral to many of Yad Sarah’s Leave a Legacy for ...... 8 programs. Step into the art room at Yad Sarah’s Day Rehabilitation Center in “I didn’t know anything about art,” Avishag said while working on a Jerusalem and you’ll find it nearly filled to capacity. People are sitting portrait of her grandson. “Drawing class is the most popular activity here, and around large tables drawing in charcoal and pastels, or painting. Some are in I like it the best. Now I look forward to my days each week at Yad Sarah,” she said. Avishag suffers from muscle deterioration and has used a wheelchair for the past four years. She’s been proud to give her finished works to her children and grandchildren. Making art provides a high level of satisfaction for people suffering from chronic conditions, according to Irit Nahaloni, director of Yad Sarah’s Day Rehabilitation Center in Jerusalem. For example, a devastating stroke caused significant damage to a former surgeon in his early 50’s, limiting his ability to speak, read or move easily. Today, this client uses the skills he learned at Yad Sarah to paint with his other hand, and Nahaloni cites his “amazing work” as evidence of his Through the creative process, people heal and grow. progress. In another part of the room, a group of Day Rehabilitation clients wheelchairs. Others work with their non-dominant hand because of brain coping with vision loss work with a special arts therapist to create a sculpture injury. in a variety of mediums – clay, glass, stone, and wood. Before starting, the But all are engaged in their work whether they are creating a still life, a therapist arranged a very special private tour of the Israel Museum where landscape, or a portrait inspired by photographs. the group members were permitted to run their hands over the museum’s Like many recreational artists at Yad Sarah, 65-year-old Avishag had never ancient Greek sculptures – strictly forbidden to regular museum-goers. 1 engaged in drawing or painting before coming here. (continued on page 6) 2 Inside YadInside Sarah Yad • FallSarah 2010 • Spring 2016

way, andrealize theirown potential. abilities contributeto societyinameaningful role ourvolunteers play inhelpingpeopleofall imagine new possibilities. We’re proud ofthe needs to learnpractical, jobreadiness skills, and volunteer, helpingyoung adultswithspecial Sarah asaninclusive placeto work and portraits inclay. blindness andlow vision;they’re creating self- assignment for agroup ofclientscopingwith am particularlyimpressed withachallenging facilitate learningandsocialdevelopment. I help buildmotor skills, orshapeskillsto For children withspecialneeds, artsactivities and confidencelostthrough illnessorinjury. helping to strengthen andrestore functioning transformational power oftheartsactivities, rehabilitation programs, andfocus onthe we take you to someoftheorganization’s underway. a different, complementary pathto healing and paintbrushes?Here are signsthere’s love needshelp.Butclay, glue, tissuepaper, of crutches, anindicationthatsomeonethey return awheelchair, ashower bench,orapair families entering thebuildingto borrow or tools thatsome peoplerely onfor healing? Dear Friends, We alsogive you aninsidelookatYad In thisissueof“InsideYad Sarah,” Visitors to Yad Sarah Houseexpect to see Who ever thoughtofpaintandclay asthe H

420,000 People inIsrael HelpedEvery Year Report fromtheExecutiveDirector Your to Gift Special Yad Sarah H H H H H H H to whomeveryoudesignate. your generosity withahandsomecertificatesent Make yourgifttoday, andwewillacknowledge available atmore than100branchesinIsrael. you are supportingthevitalprograms andservices When youmakeathoughtfulgifttoYad Sarah, Cheerajobwelldone Sendwishesforaspeedyrecovery Celebrateabar/batmitzvah Rejoiceinthebirthofachild Offer condolences Sendbirthdaywishes ThankaShabbathost

H illness, injury, andtrauma. thousands ofpeopleto copewiththeeffectsof with specialneeds, andmake itpossiblefor lives, promote inclusionanddignityfor people professionals andvolunteers to helprevitalize you. Your giftsenableYad Sarah’s dedicated sustained through thegenerosity offriendslike this innovative andcompassionatework is engaged intheircommunities. individuals to remain independentathome, and the ultimategoalofsupportingefforts of to spread Yad Sarah’s “bestpractices” with shared withprofessionals andstudents, help function. New ideasandpractical solutions, institute, helpingstudentsto combineform and design studentsatBezalel, Israel’s foremost arts proud to learnthatYad Sarah isaresource for from Yad Sarah. Andwe were surprised and independence –withideasandproblem solving supportive environment thatmaximizes to planfor universal design–acomfortable, like Meira Adilman work closelywithfamilies as aresource for professionals. Interiordesigners in thisissue, we learnabouttheExhibitionCenters home care equipment andhomeadaptations, but for individuals andfamilies to review optionsfor

6,000 Volunteers Thank you somuch. As Yad Sarah receives nogovernment support, We know theExhibitionCenters asplaces Adele Goldberg, ACSW Friends of Yad Sarah

Executive Director,

Adele Goldberg

H www.friendsofyadsarah.org Please gotooursecure online

or callusat212-223-7758 100+ Branches Your certificatewillbe $18 suggestedminimum mailed or emailed – mailed oremailed– friendsofyadsarah.org Donation Pageat: 866-YAD-SARAH your choice!

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We visited Samira, manager Volunteers built a Yad Sarah van Yad Sarah, a humanitarian of the Yad Sarah branch in the as a Purim costume‬for a special organization, lends equipment to #Druze village of #Issifiye. Samira needs child in Bnei Braq, complete anyone in need. is committed to insuring that the with a custom horn! The cardboard services of Yad Sarah are available costume fit over her wheelchair and to all in the Druze villages in a reflects her love and appreciation for culturally-sensitive setting. Yad Sarah’s transportation service, connecting her with family and community! #HappyPurim!

Welcome home, Wovenesh Wovshat!

Originally from a small village • 1.866.YAD.SARAH friendsofyadsarah .org www. in #Ethiopia, Wovenesh worked with Yad Sarah depends on its team of a Yad Sarah volunteer to recount equipment repair volunteers to help “Realization of a Dream,” her story of keep wheelchairs and other home Flowers are blooming in Israel and a grueling trek to Israel. Yad Sarah’s care equipment in top shape! Their Yad Sarah volunteers made sure that Life Stories project helps participants efforts also help Yad Sarah to contain our homebound clients were able to reflect on their lives, an empowering costs and direct its resources where it enjoy nature’s gift! experience for older clients. The is most needed: service to others. transcribed narrative is a legacy with unique histo