Canada/Israel Inclusion Mission- June 2023

Activities:

• Arrivals at Ben Gurion Airport - You will be greeted at Ben Gurion Airport by your guide and driver, who will transfer you to the hotel.

• 2:00 p.m. Introductory Program at the Official Residence of Canada

• Meeting with the Azrieli Foundation - The Azrieli Foundation believes in the potential and power of each individual. One of its key priorities is neuro development and neuro diverse initiatives. The foundation has initiated many innovative projects in both Canada and Israel that advance the knowledge of the sector. The Azrieli team will help to frame the mission and provide an overview of their involvement in both Canada and Israel.

• Enjoy the summer evening at the Tel Aviv Port

• Sunset dinner in the Tel Aviv Port

• Crowne Plaza Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Bar Ilan University- Otzmot Academic Project for People with Intellectual Disabilities

• Lunch will be provided

• Site visit: Beit Issie Shapiro - Beit Issie Shapiro is Israel’s leading developer and provider of innovative therapies and state-of-the-art services for children and adults across the entire range of disabilities impacting on over half a million people annually. Beit Issie Shapiro promotes social change though a three-pronged approach: development and provision of cutting edge services, changing attitudes in society and advocating for better legislation, and sharing knowledge throughout Israel, as well as internationally, through research, consultation and training.
  The program will include:
  -An orientation to Bituach Leumi
  -A presentation on services to an Arab community near Kfar Saba
  -A Presentation with 2 start ups regarding technology
  -Examples of new approaches in mental health
  -Integration of assisted technologies

• Dinner at a restaurant

• Crowne Plaza Tel Aviv

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Meet with Rachel Ledany of CareGivers Israel - Caregivers Israel is a nonprofit organization that is committed to raising public awareness of the caregiving issue; to recognizing and supporting Israel’s family caregivers, as being fundamental to strong families that create stable communities. Their vision: Family caregivers in Israel are valued, capable, and resourceful through education, effective advocacy, quality programs, and community awareness activities.

• Stop at the Peace Wall at Moshav Netiv HaAsara - Meet Tsamaret Zamir, an artist and the creator of the project who will talk about life in the moshav in the shadow of the ongoing security situation – and about the hope of a good and peaceful future. Choose a colorful optimistic tile on which to write a personal wish and later glue to the border wall.

• Visit Aleh Negev - The ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran Rehabilitation Village was named in memory of Eran Almog, the late son of Didi and Major General (Res.) Doron Almog. Fueled by his love for Eran, who was born with severe autism and intellectual disabilities, Doron Almog guided the creation of an expansive residential and rehabilitative complex in Israel’s south that has become a home and family for more than 150 children and young adults with severe disabilities and complex medical conditions, and provides a host of rehabilitative solutions for individuals from all backgrounds and levels of need.

• Continue to Beer Sheva with a stop for lunch

• Visit the The Azrieli National Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research at Ben Gurion University - The Azrieli National Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Research at Ben Gurion University of the Negev integrates scientific research into community healthcare clinics where autism is diagnosed and treated in Israel. Through this unique collaboration invaluable data and samples are collected from hundreds of children with autism and their family members each year, thereby transforming autism research on a national scale.

• Dinner on the way to Jerusalem

• Inbal Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Knesset-tour and meeting with policy staff or Members of Knesset - Visit the Knesset with Israel Elwyn. Elwyn has several service recipients hired directly by the Knesset who work at different departments (HR, Visitors Center, mail department, printing department.) In addition, there are about 6 service recipients who are hired through the catering company at the Knesset’s diner. We will have a short tour and meet service recipients, the Knesset's HR supervisor, Elywn staff, and Members of Knesset. There will be an opportunity to learn about some of the cutting-edge legislation on guardianship.

• Lunch at Cafe Shalva - Shalva is a Jerusalem based organization that provides services to children with special needs and their families. Graduates of Shalva work at the café, and the café’s profits go back to the center to support its programs.

• Visit the Expanded supported Housing program of JDC-Israel Unlimited - JDC-Israel Unlimited (IU) develops programmatic and policy-based solutions to deep-seated systemic challenges that limit the ability to provide effective and efficient social services to persons with disabilities. IU also serves as a convener, bringing together the national government, local municipalities, and agencies and organizations that have the greatest impact on the lives of persons with disabilities in Israel to ensure maximum leverage of national resources and organizational capacities. This is done with a worldview that looks at individuals beyond their disabilities and works toward significant advances in public awareness and the physical and social infrastructures that currently exist. Across its activities, IU seeks to employ cutting-edge technological and data tools to ensure that decisions and planning are based on solid information and analysis, and that programs make the most effective possible use of technological advances.

• Dinner at a restaurant

• Inbal Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Encounter with PresenTense

• Old City Walking Tours - Tour Jerusalem’s Old City. Meet people and places of the Old City. In the Jewish Quarter, uncover the layers of Jewish history from the time of the First Temple until the present day. In the Christian Quarter, visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. View the Temple Mount. Throughout the tour explore the complexity of a city that is holy to these three major religions.

• Free time and lunch on your own

• Shabbat Dinner at the hotel

• Roundtable with Israeli advocates and service partners

• Inbal Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Optional: Israel Museum - Visit the unique collections and expansive grounds of the Israel Museum, the country’s national museum. Linger over the renowned international and Israeli art, the world’s most complete Judaica collections and the charming Billy Rose Sculpture Garden. You can also visit the Shrine of the Book, home to the exceptional archaeological finds of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other rare ancient manuscripts.

• Optional: Masada National Park - Ascend the mountain by cable car to explore Masada, scene of the epic stand by Jewish rebels at the end of the Great Revolt against Rome nearly 2,000 years ago. The new museum at the Visitor Center reveals the secrets of the daily life of the rebels, the story of the excavations, and how the site became one of Israel’s most important symbols.

• Optional: Walking tour of the Old City's Christian Quarter - One of the four neighborhoods of Jerusalem’s Old City, the Christian Quarter is home to a rich tapestry of Christians of many denominations. The historic and impressive Church of the Holy Sepulcher, encompassing the last 5 Stations of the Cross, dominates the area. Retrace the footsteps of generations of pilgrims, or eat some of Israel’s best hummus at one of the authentic restaurants in the quarter.

• Lunch at the hotel

• Sharing Best Practices

• Havdalah

• Dinner on your own

• Inbal Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Agency site visits:

• Israel Elwyn - Established in 1984, Israel Elwyn (IE) operates in collaboration with and supported by the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Health; and local municipalities nationwide. IE serves over 5,200 individuals with disabilities including toddlers, children, youth, young adults, adults and seniors. We provide a wide range of innovative programs and supports that include early intervention centers; extended day programs in preschools and schools; transitional programs for youth and young adults; support programs for young adults who volunteer for military or national service; job training and employment support; adult day centers; retiree programs; supported living services; self-advocacy programs; as well as cultural and recreational programs. It is our belief that all individuals have the ability to advocate for themselves and to stand up for their own rights. Developing this capacity enables individuals with disabilities to take responsibility for their own lives, to impact their environment, and to fulfill their needs and desires.

• Alyn Children's Hospital Innovation Center - ALYN Hospital is the only pediatric rehabilitation hospital in the Middle East and has been globally recognized as a leading pediatric rehabilitation facility. Since its founding in 1932, ALYN has developed an international reputation for our comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to meeting the needs of infants, children, and adolescents with a broad range of congenital and acquired conditions. The hospital welcomes all patients regardless of religion or nationality, and frequently treats children from neighboring countries and overseas.

• SHEKEL - SHEKEL provides thousands of people with special needs the opportunity to live full, meaningful lives- of self-fulfillment and of integration into society.

• Ceremonial signing of agreements of cooperation and implementation

• Closing Dinner

• Inbal Hotel

Activities:

• Breakfast at the hotel

• Transfer to the airport for your return flight