Beth David Institute sponsors two main projects: A Home for Life - hostels for developmentally delayed women which was founded in 1982 and The Center for Deaf-Blind Persons which was founded in 1989.
 MISSION STATEMENT
The Beth David Institute is dedicated to developing and promoting the care of specified populations and differently-abled citizens of Israel, in the spirit of the Torah.
OBSERVANCE
Beth David Institute observes Kashrut and Shabbat
ENDORSEMENTS, SUPPORTERS, AND AWARDS
The Center for Deaf-Blind Persons has received letters of endorsement from Malik Gozovsky, Special Programs Coordinator, Ministry of Welfare and Professor Rimerman, Professor at the Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Studies, University of Haifa. Click here to see letters of endorsement.
The organization has received grants from (among others) the following: Israel Ministry of Welfare (annually since 1989), Israel National Insurance Institute (annually since 1989), Matan -- Your Way to Give (annually since 2000), Jewish Agency (2000-2003), Israel Friends of the Blind (2000-2007), Saban Family Foundation (2002, 2003) Knesset Foundation for the Disabled (2003, 2004), Mifal HaPais (Israeli Lottery) (2003, 2005), Gimprich Family Foundation (2003), Beracha Foundation (2003), Fingerhut Foundation (2004, 2008), Levy Lessen Foundation (2004), The Ian Karten Charitable Trust (2005, 2007), Wolfson Family Charitable Trust (2005), The Sobell Foundation (2005, 2006, 2007), The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation (annually since 2007), JDC- Israel (2008), Bezeq (2005) Click here to see related press release..
The center was featured articles in The Jerusalem Post and in Arutz Sheva The Center's staff has also published professional articles in Deaf-Blind Perspectives in 2006 and in 2008
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Activities
The Hostel Program: A Home for Life for Special Women
The Beth David Institute maintains six group homes within the Mevaseret Zion community in which 75 developmentally disabled women live, 12-14 per house. Residents stay within the area of the group homes throughout the year and usually stay for life. Operating expenses in 2007 amounted to approximately $1.5 million
Health care The Beth David hostel program has its own clinic, which coordinates all ongoing medical and preventative care for the residents. The clinic makes use of community resources such as local health clinics ("kupot cholim") and special dental clinics for the disabled. The clinic staff includes a family doctor, psychiatrist, registered nurses and a dietician. There is also a consulting staff that includes a physiotherapist, occupational therapist and speech therapist.
Respite program A respite program, operating within the residence, provides short-term accommodations for developmentally-disabled women who live with their families. This framework enables these families to take a vacation or have a respite from caring for their disabled member. Guests in the program participate in all activities and are cared for by the professional staff. This program is currently in development. In 2008 four women participated.
Vocational skills All Beth David residents attend the institute's sheltered workshop each morning. The workshop is located in a large building, situated within walking distance to all of the residences. A vocational evaluation carried out by an occupational therapist determines the abilities and needs of each resident. On the basis of this evaluation residents are placed in a suitable program of work. These include sorting, packing, assembling, gardening and creating artistic works. Some of the work is provided by manufacturers and distributors, and other projects are initiated and marketed by Beth David itself. The women receive a salary for their work, and participate in group outings to the local shopping mall where they can spend the money they've earned.
Leisure, culture, and religious activities In the afternoon, the residents participate in courses and workshops that are appropriate to their needs and abilities. These include sports, yoga, computers, music, art, etc. There are also outings within the community, such as bowling, picnics, going to the gym, horseback riding, concerts, shopping, etc. Once a year, the residents go on a three-day vacation together to a hotel or resort at a different location in Israel. Jewish holidays are celebrated and women who wish, attend Shabbat and holiday services at a local synagogue. They hear kiddush in their residences and partake of holiday meals. On Shabbat, they can choose to participate in activities such as discussions about the weekly Torah reading, leisurely walks and visits to friends in other residences
The Center for Deaf Blind Persons
The Center for Deaf-Blind Persons provides the following programs and services for the deaf-blind (hearing and visually impaired) Israeli population, which is estimated at approximately 1,200 ( Operating expenses in 2007 amounted to approximately $340,000):
Ulpan for Deaf-Blind New Immigrants teaches Hebrew to immigrants to Israel, mostly from the former Soviet Union. Since the ulpan opened in 1994, more than 70 new immigrants have participated in the program for periods ranging from one to two years. Twelve deaf-blind individuals have graduated from the program in the past year.
Jewish Identity Program. Participants in this program learn about Jewish traditions, and Jewish and Israeli history via classes and tours. Approximately 25 participants.
Social Recreational Club Provides social center for deaf-blind persons in which they learn and practice self-help and leadership skills. The club involves more than 60 deaf-blind participants and volunteers.
Role Model Program for Children with Usher Syndrome. School children and young adults - all of whom have Usher Syndrome - learn together. In this program young adults - usually university students with deaf-blindness - are taught to (a) act as positive role models for the children, (b) to gradually teach them about Usher Syndrome and what to expect, and (c) to prepare them, both emotionally and cognitively, to live independent lives in the future. The program is coordinated by one staff member and currently includes about eight role models and over 25 children. It will be presented in the spring of 2010 at the first Israeli conference on children with deaf-blindness and visual impairments combined with other disabilities. The conference is sponsored by Massachussetts-based Perkins School for the Blind.
Learning Center
Deaf-blind individuals with Usher Syndrome study alternative methods of communication and computer skills while they still retain some vision, and prepare for eventual total blindness. In the first (40 week) stage of the program, students are taught basic computer literacy and operation. Some continue on to touch typing on a Braille keyboard, and then learn to communicate via e-mail with the help of Braille displays and keyboards. Others work on mastering the operation of CCTV's to read enlarged texts, and using enlargement programs to master the basic use of computers. Learning Center activities are coordinated by a social worker, and staffed by about eight part-time teachers, several of whom has Usher Syndrome themselves; 32 students are enrolled. The Learning Center is a member of the Karten CTEC (Computer-aided Training, Education & Communication) Network which includes over 50 centers, most of which are located in the UK.
Employment Initiative for Adults with Deaf-Blindness This program addresses the needs of adults with Usher Syndrome in the field of professional training and employment. The goal is to improve the quality of life and increase the level of independence of deaf-blind adults and to decrease their dependence on state subsidies and assistance from their families and communities. After a review, the scope of this program was reduced to a case by case basis.
Psychodrama Workshop Deaf-blind participants express themselves in various ways using psychodrama. These workshops are provided throughout the year upon request.
Retaining Independence in the Face of Deaf-Blindness This is a special program for women with deaf-blindness which combines emotional and practical assistance, including participation in a structured long-term support group and individualized in-depth career assessment, a personalized study program and assistance in job placement. About 12 individuals participate.
Outreach Program The outreach program will find and assess the needs of the hidden deaf-blind people in Israel, and thereby enable us to assist them in a wide variety of ways. The majority of this population has Usher Syndrome, a genetic condition involving both hearing loss from birth and the gradual loss of vision throughout life. This program is under development.
Governance and Staffing
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Chaim Fuchs, Executive Director
Chaim Fuchs was born in Haifa in 1950. He graduated from a religious high school, and in 1967, at the age of 17, he was part of the small group that the Rav of Ponivez took to Ashdod to found the Grodna Yeshivah. After his marriage in 1976, he studied in a Kollel in Ashdod and was involved in community work in the fields of immigrant absorption and education. In 1980 he entered the army and did his service in a small unit in charge of corpse identification and burial. In 1982 he joined the Beth David Institute as executive director, a post he has held to this day. His work focuses on developing the Center for Deaf-Blind Persons and expanding the group homes (hostels) for developmentally disabled women.
BOARD AND OFFICERS
Board Policies and Practices
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Policy/Practice
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Comment
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Meeting frequency and attendance
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The board holds two in-person meetings a year and one telephone conference call each month. A majority of board members attends each meeting.
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CEO evaluation and compensation
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The CEO is in weekly contact with the chairman of the board and the authorized signatories. He provides a full report of his activities to the entire board every six months. His salary was set 15 years ago and has not been updated since.
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Board and employee conflicts of interest
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Beth David Institute has no conflict of interest policy beyond adherence to the policies required by Israeli law.
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Financial oversight and control
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The organization's accountant submits a monthly financial report. Authorized signatories keep track of cash flow.
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Program oversight and evaluation
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The hostels operate under the supervision of the Department for Care of the Mentally Handicapped of the Ministry of Welfare.
Dr. Beni Hozmi, Director of the Trump International Center for Advanced Studies in Developmental Disabilities was retained to evaluate the Center for Deaf Blind and its programs in 2006. An English translation of the summary of his findings:
"The current examination shows that the Center is meeting the goals for which it was created. Likewise, the high level of satisfaction expressed by its clients in a range of fields mark it as a central source of support for the clientele it was created for. The latest developments in the field caused a need, on the one hand, to reevaluate the existing services offered, and on the other hand, and to keep, expand and emphasize the unique spheres of activity that were developed at the Center over the last decade and a half. Organizational advice and the addition of a staff person oriented toward organization and community will help transform the recommendations in this report into reality." Click here for a fuller summary of the 2006 report. In 2008, Dr. Homzi evaluated the Computer Literacy Program at the Center. The following excerpt is from the 2008 report: "The students noted that their studies greatly strengthened their self-confidence, contributed to enriching their daily lives and that due to their studies they are experiencing a process of personal growth and empowerment. For the overwhelming majority, this was their first opportunity to learn about computers." Click here for a fuller summary of the 2008 report.
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Board self-evaluation
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The board has no policy to evaluate its own overall performance. However, individual board members are evaluated at the annual general meeting. Those not meeting organizational standards are not re-elected.
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Assurance of compliance with national law
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Beth David has no specific polices with regard to assurance of compliance with Israeli law. However, in every year of its existence, Beth David has received official government certification (nihul takin certification) of overall proper management, including both financial and general management, as well as certification of proper accounting procedures. Click here to find out more about the nihul takin certification. |
Assurance of compliance with Jewish law
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HaGaon Rabbi Nehemiah Goldberg, a member of the Rabbinical Supreme Court, serves as halachic arbitrator and authority. His decisions take precedence over those of the board. |
Ethical behavior
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Beth David has no particular policies and practices to assure ethical behavior. However, the organization reports that its moral behavior is dictated by the Torah.
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Board Membership
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Name
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Title
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on Board
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Hours/
week
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Mr. Ely Landman
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Chair
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9
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10
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Mr. Uri Landman
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Treasurer
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5
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4
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Sinai Dibon, Adv
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Secretary
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3
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4
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Mr. Yoel Brailovsky
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Member
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9
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10
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Mr. Yoel Ben Zion Farkash
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Member
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3
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4
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Mr. Yisrael Meir Friedman
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Member
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3
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4
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Ms. Chaya Rozenberg
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Member
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22
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10
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STAFFING AND SALARY INFORMATION
The hostels have approximately 30 full-time and 40 part-time employees. The Center for Deaf Blind Persons has one full time staff member and seven part time staff members.
The highest salary, including benefits is $66,100; the second highest is $46,000.
VOLUNTEERS
The hostels have about 30 volunteers, mostly high school girls, who give an average of 4 hours a week. They help primarily with the animal therapy program and the gardening project. Other volunteers are integrated into both professional work and leisure activities at the residence. Youth, university students and professionals work one-on-one and in groups with the residents in activities that include yoga, bibliotherapy, therapy with animals, drama, etc.
The Center for Deaf-Blind Persons has about 20 volunteers who each devote 4-5 hours per week to helping with the Social Recreational Club for deaf-blind persons. Some give an additional 2-3 hours a week towards other projects. Five volunteers contribute 2-3 hours per week toward various projects. Approximately 10 individuals volunteer for about 15 hours each per month at the Beth David Institute hostels for developmentally disabled women. The volunteers organize and run such activities as reciting verses from Psalms on Shabbat afternoon and holiday activities. |
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| Finances |
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| Summary Financial Statement Year Ended December 31, 2007 |
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(in thousands of dollars)
(Israeli new shekels converted to dollars at the rate of 24.32 cents per shekel.) |
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Revenues |
Public support |
257 |
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| Government grants |
1,673 |
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Other |
52 |
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| TOTAL REVENUES |
1,983 |
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| EXPENSES AND CHANGE IN NET ASSETS |
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| Salaries, benefits, and payroll taxes |
1,256 |
| Food, cleaning, medical care, apparel, for home and hostel |
172 |
| Occupancy |
128 |
| Maintenance |
119 |
| Transportation, deliveries and excursions |
92 |
| Office and bookkeeping |
27 |
| Trips and other activities
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105 |
Depreciation
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36 |
Professional services and publicity
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10 |
| Other |
20 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURES |
1,965 |
| CHANGE IN NET ASSETS |
18 |
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NET ASSETS |
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| TOTAL NET ASSETS |
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3,024 |
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** Beth David-Center for Deaf Blind Persons incurred a loss of $561,000 in connection with a one-time asset transaction in 2007. That expense is not included in the table above.
OUTSIDE ACCOUNTING OVERSIGHT/REVIEW
Financial statements were audited by Rudnick Wurtzel & Co., CPAs.
סיון תשס"ח June 2009
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