Ten percent of Israelis have disabilities, and the percentage is increasing. War-disabled soldiers make up 50,000 of this number. Due to our experience with seven wars, many more military operations, and too many terror attacks, Israel is experienced with dealing with people with disabilities .
Israel has absorbed millions of immigrants,over one million from the former Soviet Union alone Twenty percent of Israelis are Arab Israelis.
Israel has absorbed millions of immigrants,over one million from the former Soviet Union alone Twenty percent of Israelis are Arab Israelis.
These three date points come together at one establishment in Jaffa, by the Mediterranean. It's called "Nalaga'at" In Hebrew Nalaga'at means please touch. We are all used to reading signs that ask us: "please do not touch". We are constantly being asked not to touch museum exhibits, flowers at gardens, food, and recently, even one another, as we are all so worried about swine flu. However, the Nalaga'at center in Jaffa urgesits guests to please touch. The invitation is essential, as Nalaga'at houses deaf and blind actors. The only way these people can communicate is through touching. This phenomenal group is made up of Israelis, Jews and Arabs, all deaf and blind.
"Nalagaat" Center was founded by a nonprofit organization and opened itsgates to the public in December 2007. The Center is comprised of the "Nalaga'at" Theater, home to a deaf-blind acting ensemble; Cafe Kapish, and BlackOut, a pitch-black restaurant. The "Nalaga'at" Center currently employs some 70 people, most of whom are deaf, blind or deaf-blind.
Two weeks ago, a group of almost three hundred Jewish leaders from 30 different countries joined thousands of people from Israel and abroad who have already visited the Center and enjoyed an exceptional artistic experience. The group of Jewish leaders was attending the World Confederation of Jewish Community Centers conference. The "Nalaga'at" show was a wonderful way to end the meetings, as one of the focuses of the conference was Jewish peoplehood. The center is open to Jews and Arabs (Muslims and Christians) new immigrants, and veteran Israelis. The amount of love and caring that filled the theater was unbelievable. The show, filled with music (even though none of the actors could hear it) ended with a song from the actors through their special sign language. The last line of the song is: "Thank you God for your wonderful creation"! We all had tears in our eyes, as sometimes, touching, or as we say in Hebrew, maga, is the only way to communicate, to live, to love.
Two weeks ago, a group of almost three hundred Jewish leaders from 30 different countries joined thousands of people from Israel and abroad who have already visited the Center and enjoyed an exceptional artistic experience. The group of Jewish leaders was attending the World Confederation of Jewish Community Centers conference. The "Nalaga'at" show was a wonderful way to end the meetings, as one of the focuses of the conference was Jewish peoplehood. The center is open to Jews and Arabs (Muslims and Christians) new immigrants, and veteran Israelis. The amount of love and caring that filled the theater was unbelievable. The show, filled with music (even though none of the actors could hear it) ended with a song from the actors through their special sign language. The last line of the song is: "Thank you God for your wonderful creation"! We all had tears in our eyes, as sometimes, touching, or as we say in Hebrew, maga, is the only way to communicate, to live, to love.