Welcome to Keren Or

Board Of Directors

Edward L. Steinberg, O.D.
Chairman

Jay Goldsmith
President

Eliot Lauer
Secretary

Jack Gross
Treasurer

Albert Hornblass, M.D., A"H
Immediate Past President

Marilyn Lauer
Chair, Women's Division

Tamara Silberberg
Director, Keren Or Center

Madelyn Cohen
Executive Director

Israel Advisory Board

Nestled in the hills of Ramot overlooking the city of Jerusalem lies Keren Or (Hebrew for ray of light), the only center of it's kind in the world under Jewish auspices devoted exclusively to the care and rehabilitation of blind and low vision children who are also either physically or mentally handicapped.

Keren Or students range in age from infancy to young adulthood. They suffer from blindness paired with either deafness, cerebral palsy, motor dysfunction, autism, brain damage or mental retardation. Upon arrival each child is evaluated by a team of professionals and is given a highly-specialized, personally tailored educational and therapeutic curriculum.

Recreational and informal activities - arts and crafts, field trips, parties, cooking, and sports are integrated into Keren Or's daily routine of therapy and training sessions.

Keren Or is housed in the Leeor and Ronee Sabbah Educational Center, an ultra-modern facility completed in 1991. The 35,500 square foot structure is currently undergoing a major expansion effort. Construction is well under way for our new state-of-the-art Hydrotherapy Center, that will include a large pool, 3 new classrooms, and multi-purpose auditiorium, to accomodate our growing student body. This new building will make Keren Or the premier Center in Israel for the care of multi-handicapped blind youth.

The Sabbah Center is already equipped with many unique features especially designed for the needs of these youngsters:

• A "Talking" elevator, featuring automated voice system and Braille operating buttons, which directs passengers to chosen destinations.
• Classrooms with one-way glass for professional observation.
• A hydrotherapy pool and whirlpool, with high-tech water filters and underwater vision lights.
• Dining room furnished with special plates and drinking glasses.
• A synagogue with prayer books and volumes in Braille.
• Outdoor playground facilities and gardens.
• Music, art, physical and occupational therapy laboratories.
• Supervised vocational workshop.
• Residential wing with modern furniture geared toward age and handicap.
• Lounges, conference and special education training centers.

The Diane and Jay Goldsmith Young Adult Pavilion opened in 1993 to serve the needs of 18-25 year old "graduates." Housed in their own apartments, these young men and women strive to become semi-independent. With the supervision of specially trained staff, they learn household and vocational skills while enjoying social activities geared to their age group.

Despite allocations from the Israeli government and parental participation, funding for the maintenance of Keren Or's building and programs cannot be met without the generosity of supporters from abroad. Your generous help is needed for us to continue our mission.

Click here to read more about Our Children