Projects
 INTERVIEW
For nearly fifty years, Bnai Zion members have opened their hearts to Israel’s mentally challenged. Mental retardation can affect anyone and its effects can be devastating for the entire family. Additional waves of immigrants bring with them more people requiring special services and the need for special services has been on the rise in this decade. The burden is too great for Israel to carry on alone.
 Ma’on Bnai Zion in Rosh Ha’ayin serves as home to some two hundred disabled people. With financial support from the Bnai Zion Foundation, dormitories at the site were renovated to provide the residents increased privacy and more comfortable surroundings.
Israel Elwyn serves more than 1,400 children and adults with special needs, with the goal of helping them lead more independent lives. Offering therapies, treatment, residences and assistance, Israel Elwyn encourages and enables Israelis with special needs to progress to the height of their ability. It provides vocational training for adults with developmental disabilities to help them become self-sufficient and maximize their integration into the  mainstream community. The Zvi Quittman Residential Center is a group home at the Jerusalem campus of Israel Elwyn and is named for Bnai Zion’s Vice President Emeritus, who devoted his entire life to humanitarian projects in Israel.
Under the supervision of the Ministry of Welfare, an extensive program of activities is conducted for the residents. They participate in music and art workshops, physical activities and therapy. The residents celebrate all of the Jewish holidays and participate in enriching field trips.
As a result of superb training and habilitation, some of the residents have been able to move to supervised group homes within the community. Others who need 24-hour, on-site care remain in the facility.
Now more than ever, support for this important, wonderful work with special-needs individuals is necessary. The government of Israel and the families do their utmost to provide quality care but the costs associated with this effort require assistance from outside sources. These care centers must be continually updated and expanded to ensure the best possible facilities and the budget for staff must be increased to provide unparalleled treatment and therapy. Funds are also needed to continue the vital therapies for residents and to provide new equipment for their training.
Thanks to Bnai Zion, the Zvi Quittman Residential Center was built, and comprises a number of apartments housing ten residents each. These apartments allowresidents to enjoy the privacy and opportunities afforded by this more maintstream lifestyle. Each unit has four bedrooms and includes a large living room, fully-equipped modern kitchen and dining area. As a result of Bnai Zion’s ongoing commitment, additional apartments are under construction and plans to expand the housing capacity can be realized to benefit the quality of life for all residents of the center.
Funds are needed to continue and expand the vital therapies for residents that enable their integration into the mainstream community and vocational opportunities. There is always a need to provide new equipment for their training. On a broader scale, the construction of new residential buildings allowing residents more privacy and autonomy is another priority.
 "The friendship between the United States and Israel has grown stronger over the years in large part because of organizations such as yours. Through its various humanitarian programs, Bnai Zion has helped promote a spirit of cooperation and understanding among our peoples. Your homes for retarded children, your medical clinics and the Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa should be a source of pride to all of you. The combined efforts of your members have made an important difference in the lives of Jews both here and in Israel, and I thank you for your many contributions to your fellow man."
- George Bush, President - January 1990
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