Home / See, Read & Share / Federation News

Dec 28, 2023

Beit Issie Shapiro Supports People With Disabilities Who Are Impacted by the War

“Physically, my family is okay. Mentally, it’s a completely different story,” said Ashira Greszes. Her toddler, Yedidya, attends gan (kindergarten) at Federation beneficiary agency Beit Issie Shapiro, an innovator in services for adults and children with disabilities that now provides free emotional therapy and respite visits to hundreds of people impacted by the war in Israel.

For the general population evacuated from conflict zones, this is a time of uncertainty, fear and trauma. For those with disabilities and their families, the difficulties are amplified and their special needs are greater than before. Of the 1.5 million people with disabilities in Israel, 48,000 live in the Gaza Envelope and another 5,000 live in war-affected areas in the north. During the war, the Jewish Federations of North America continue to fund 15 organizations that meet the acute needs of people with disabilities, including Beit Issie Shapiro, which provides essential services to more than 2,000 clients and their families.

“I don’t know how people can go on in this kind of state without emotional support,” shared Ashira. Since the war began, Yedidya has become petrified of noises. If a dog barks, he won’t sleep. “For a two-year-old who doesn’t understand why he’s running downstairs to a shelter when he hears a loud noise, having his teacher explain it to him in a way that he understands and creating a sense of normalcy have given us so much,” Ashira relayed. “The fact that we have Beit Issie behind us, even though they themselves are going through things, changes everything.”

Click here to help others like Ashira and her son Yedidya by donating to the Annual Federation/UJA Campaign.

Federation Leaders Explore Jewish Life in Paris

Federation Leaders Explore Jewish Life in Paris

Last week, leaders from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation were among the hundreds of volunteers who took part in the annual Jewish Federations of North America campaign mission, this time to Paris, France.

Read More

Emotional Support During the Israel-Iran War

Emotional Support During the Israel-Iran War

For years, Federation’s partner, the Israel Trauma Coalition (ITC), has provided emotional support for Israelis in the aftermath of terror attacks, so the nonprofit was able to quickly assist thousands when the war with Iran recently broke out.

Read More

FVC: Paying it Forward This Summer

FVC: Paying it Forward This Summer

It’s been a busy summer for our Federation Volunteer Center (FVC), which has been collaborating with numerous community partners and engaging hundreds of Jewish Miamians in hands-on service projects.

Read More

Celebrating Disability Pride Month

Celebrating Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month and Federation’s Miami Jewish Abilities Alliance (MJAA) offers resources to help celebrate and support Jewish Miamians with disabilities.

Read More

Stay in Touch

Receive news about Greater Miami Jewish Federation events and more.