Migdal Ha’emek mayor and Grabski Center sweeten Purim for pupils, disabled

"The collaboration between the municipality and the Grabski Center is a long and fruitful one," Barda said on Thursday.

By LIDAR GRAVÉ-LAZI
Updated: MARCH 12, 2017 00:05
Residents and volunteers prepare some of the 1,500 Purim gifts for Migdal Ha’emek’s schoolchildren at the Grabski Center in the North yesterday (photo credit: Courtesy)
Residents and volunteers prepare some of the 1,500 Purim gifts for Migdal Ha’emek’s schoolchildren at the Grabski Center in the North yesterday
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Migdal Ha’emek Mayor Eli Barda and the Grabski Multiple Sclerosis Center have joined forces to deliver some 1,500 mishloach manot packages for Purim to schoolchildren in the northern city.
The program, initiated by Barda and the municipality’s education department, assigned the task of preparing holiday packages to the disabled residents of the center.
“The collaboration between the municipality and the Grabski Center is a long and fruitful one,” Barda said on Thursday. “This year we were able to do good twice: 1,500 mishloach manot were purchased – for every pupil in the city – and also the money went toward an important cause of strengthening the protected factory, which employs the residents of the center and allows them to fulfill their dreams to work and be independent.”
The Grabski Center is supported by Colel Chabad, Israel’s longest continuously running social services organization, have been in operation since 1788. The center houses several dozen people with varying degrees of physical disabilities who are often unable to live independently or hold gainful employment.
The mayor secured a budget, which allowed the residents to spend the past two days, together with volunteers, preparing the gift baskets.
Tasks were divided based on each person’s mobility and overall physical function to give everyone a sense of purpose and confidence ahead of the holiday.
“Despite the disabilities challenging our residents, each and every one has a desire to contribute and give back to the community, and there is no doubt that initiatives like these inject a feeling of joy and hope ahead of Purim,” Kobi Vizel, director of the Grabski Center, said.
“We deeply commend the mayor for his vision in advancing and financially supporting this program, and welcome any and all from around Israel to come and introduce similar programs, because I know that our residents would feel blessed to be able to contribute in the future,” he added.
The center also provides therapies and programs for its residents and outpatient visitors, including ones in art, gardening and music. Each program is accessible to all participants, but is catered to the specific needs of the individual.
“This project was a remarkable display of what can be achieved both for the residents of Grabski Center and the community of Migdal Ha’emek, when we work together and think creatively,” said Rabbi Sholom Duchman, chairman of Colel Chabad. “We look forward to continued partnership with this city and with many others.”