Friends of ALUT: The Israeli Society for Children and Adults with Austim

The creation of a "Home for Life" is exciting, but especially so when it takes years to come to fruition. After 12 years of ups and downs, expectations and disappointments, and a tremendous amount of hard work, ALUT held a ceremony in honor of the ground-breaking for the new "Home for Life" in Modi'in. Dubi Ofer, father of twins with autism, whose son Nir will be one of the residents of the house said, "You see a mere construction site, I see a dream come true." The house in ...which Nir will live will be called Beit Tamar, after his mother, Tami, who died a year and a half ago. The construction of the house is made possible thanks to the Municipality of Modi'in, to entrepreneur Yossi Schonfeld who invested full strength in building the house, the Safra Foundation and the JNF. Thank you to all our donors who contributed to this project. We can't wait till it's fully operational and giving young adults with autism a warm, friendly, and safe place to call home.

Thank you to all our donors and friends who made 2018 an exceptional year for ALUT. We were able to offer more critical services and support to children, adults, and families than in the past. We are so grateful to you. May 2019 be a year of good health and prosperity for all. Happy New Year.

If you've ever volunteered for anything you know what it feels like to do something good to help others. Members of ALUT's Home for Life in Kfar Saba also made a contribution to the betterment of society through the "Meaningful Life Project" started by ALUT this month. As their first activity, the members volunteered to clean Tzur Yitzchak Forest of trash. When they were done, they sat together for a pleasant picnic in the newly cleaned forest. Ma'ayan, the director of the Ho...me for Life said: "We have so much to give. The members did this with love and a real sense of happiness." Thanks so much guys! A special thank you to Sigal Merkin-Shemesh and Ma'ayan Aharoni-Greenberg.

We've had an amazing year at ALUT... A year in which all of us: parents, professionals, volunteers, friends, donors, teachers, therapists, public officials and anyone with a heart, invested tremendously to ensure that everyone with autism will feel a little more that they are a worthy and equal part of Israeli society. ALUT built more daycare centers, planted more gardens, taught more parenting classes, opened more summer camps, expanded housing options, and advocated for emp...loyers to hire more adults with autism and other disabilities. We are extremely proud of our accomplishments, even though there's still so much more to do. And, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you do for ALUT and for ALUT's community of children and adults with austim. We are grateful to have you as part of our team. With blessings for a new year filled with joy, good health, and every manner of sweetness. Shana Tovah U'Metuka. Rabbi Stuart Shiff Executive Director, American Friends of ALUT

12-year-old Maya, and her father Steven, surprised ALUT with a visit to Beit Loren. For those who do not know, ALUT's Family Center is named after Loren Liba Hozmi, Maya's aunt, who was a special-ed teacher for children with autism. Maya Libby is an artist in her own right, and she creates special beaded dolls she sells on Etsy. On the occasion of her Bat MItzvah, she's decided to donate all the sales of these dolls to ALUT's Family Center in memory of her aunt Loren Liba (fo...r whom she is named). You're invited to join the celebration. Take a look at Maya's beautiful work, and help her to achieve her goal: https://etsy.me/2ngZlMN Congratulations Maya, and thank you for continuing the good deeds of those who came before you!

Giving through PayPal Giving Fund ensures that 100% of your donation goes to ALUT. Give today, and make a real difference in the lives of children and adults struggling with autism. https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/205081

Despite all our objections, the Ministry of Education has passed a scandalous reform on special-ed. This new law will force students with developmental disabilities, like autism, to cram into classrooms that are already bursting at the seams. ALUT's Board of Directors has insisted on a hearing at the Knesset to address this issue, as many children with autism have no schooling options come September. They have granted a special session due to ALUT's pressure, and we need parents who are fighting for their children to join us. If your child does not have schooling for September, please join ALUT at the Knesset tomorrow and demand some answers! ALUT will never give up on your children; we will continue to fight till all children with disabilities get the services they require, and deserve.