Jul 29, 2025

Teaching Children With and Without Disabilities Through Inclusivity

Federation-funded Beit Issie Shapiro is marking another milestone in disability inclusion with the opening of its Beit Raz campus, welcoming Israeli children from infants to age 3 with and without disabilities. “This is a new model for the country that will foster emotional resilience, social connection and mutual respect among all children,” said Naomi Stuchiner, Beit Issie Shapiro’s Founder. Considered a “paradigm shift” in early childhood inclusion, the new center will launch in September with 80 children in its first class. It was created after extensive research, learning and development, as well as decades of educating and advocating for children with disabilities and their families. The new campus will house an early intervention center for toddlers with complex disabilities, a mainstream daycare program and indoor and outdoor facilities for joint play time, as well as mental health support. “Integrating children with and without disabilities in an inclusive daycare framework yields far greater benefits for all children, their families and the community,” said Stuchiner. The organization hopes Beit Raz will serve as a prototype for inclusive education around the world. Beit Issie receives yearly funding from the Annual Federation Campaign.