This month as well, powerful women came to volunteer at Hop(e)Styling – our amazing program for women survivors of sexual trauma who study home styling and design❤️

The volunteers came to teach a lesson, each in her own field, in order to empower our wonderful program participants, simply out of a sense of mission and a great desire to do good.

• Roni Lapidot – a guru in career guidance who directed us towards our goals
• Efrat Shasha – helped us find the clothing that suits us best, so of course we’re all set go out to practical training
• Galia Arad – gave us lots of tips for success
• Shani Brill – taught us how to take perfect photos with a smartphone
• Tzipi Singer – revealed to us the magical world of social networking

Many, many thanks for coming and donating your time and knowledge; thanks to you, the world is more a beautiful place!❤️💜💙🧡

We interrupted Sigalit in the middle of a busy day’s work because we had to introduce you to her too❤️

Sigalit is 47 years old, blind from birth, a Jerusalemite, the warmest person there is, loves people and in general, is super-positive and optimistic. Sigalit loves to sing. She has her own YouTube channel and uploads covers there as well as a song she wrote about Biga, her amazing guide dog (see link below). Sigalit is multi-talented and has learned a lot in her life, including dubbing and sound. She reads lots of books that broaden her knowledge in a wide variety of fields, and in general, does everything by herself (cooks, cleans, takes care of Biga, etc.) even though it’s not easy!

Sigalit is not afraid of hard work and despite the many talents with which she is endowed, she feels that society does not accept her and that it is hard going for people with disabilities, and for blind people in particular. Throughout her life, she has always felt that doors were not opened for her – when seeking employment, socially and in relationships – and this disappoints her quite a lot because she has so much to offer!

Last month Sigalit started working in an administrative role at Bayit Cham’s new technological center in Jerusalem – a place that employs and trains people with all types of disabilities. The center recycles electronic waste. Sigalit’s input is critical because she’s the one who keeps computerized inventory of every single part that enters or leaves the warehouse (even during our interview she was called upon every minute, and in order to photograph her we had to wait our turn😆). Although it’s not exactly the field she dreamed of, she is so happy to get up in the morning and play a significant, beloved role. She even asked Keren, the program director, to come in an additional day because it makes her feel so good and “everyone here is terrific!”😍

In honor of Blind Day (June 6th), the international awareness day for the blind and visually impaired, Sigalit’s message to all of you out there is: Open doors!

Open doors to:

👁️‍🗨️Employment – Blind people have abilities and skills like any other person! Accessibility solutions (reading software, audio software, etc.) are available, possible and enable a blind person to work as productively as any sighted employee. Sigalit, like other blind people, is very motivated to work hard and has unique advantages such as accurate hearing that employers can benefit and profit from.

👁️‍🗨️ Accessibility – Bus drivers don’t stop for her because of her guide dog; they tell her to leave the dog at home… 😡 Really?!

👁️‍🗨️ Dreams! Sigalit is full of dreams that don’t come true☹️ According to her, “a person lives to fulfill his dreams”. She turned to artists, stage directors and others in the creative arts fields to form collaborations, maybe sing one song together… It didn’t work🤷 In short, if you are approached to make a dream come true, help make it come true! If there are artists here who want to pick up the gauntlet, Sigalit will be very happy (@Ohad Chitman🙏)

In short, as a society, we still have much to improve – take note‼️

Michal Herzog remarked on her visit to Bayit Cham Centers for Mental Wellness: “Bayit Cham, under the leadership of Rabbi Arie Munk, leads exciting initiatives in the field of mental health and has brought a welcome change in the treatment of mental health issues, especially in ultra-Orthodox society.”

On Thursday, Mrs. Michal Herzog, the wife of Israel’s president, came to visit Bayit Cham’s main headquarters in Bnei Brak. She met with the director, Rabbi Arie Munk, and the heads of the various departments, including clinical social workers and psychologists who presented the culturally sensitive therapeutic and rehabilitative services which are provided for  thousands of men and women with mental health challenges from all sectors – orthodox, religious and secular, comprehensive treatment for children and adult survivors of sexual trauma, and the array of vocational rehabilitation programs to integrate people with special needs at mainstream jobs.

A., 38 years old, did not leave a dry eye when she shared her struggle of many years’ coping with bipolar disease, and about the rehabilitation process she went through and continues to undergo, thanks to Bayit Cham.

D., 55 years old, a resident of the south with special needs, was fired from many jobs throughout his life. Finally, at Bayit Cham he was able to receive a cushion of support, stability and individualized guidance. Today he is integrated at a job in the mainstream workplace and feels like an employee of equal value.

Rabbi Arie Munk, CEO of Bayit Cham, presented to Mrs. Herzog the organization’s activity dealing with sensitive issues that for years were taboo in the ultra-orthodox and religious sectors, and his long-standing battle to redefine the issue of mental health care and reduce stigma. He said: “The visit to Bayit Cham of Mrs. Michal Herzog, the president of Israel’s wife, is an important and valuable statement. Michal Herzog moved us when she chose to put a spotlight on the most transparent people in our society, and bring to the fore the issue of mental health that is important to her and close to her heart.”

Michal Herzog was moved and praised Bayit Cham’s work: “I hear the cries of people with mental health challenges that I meet, they talk to me about the need for culturally sensitive treatment, and the fact that there are no suitable answers for the crisis of faith they are experiencing. Bayit Cham’s response is important and necessary. The sensitive initiatives led by Bayit Cham, led by Rabbi Arie Munk, bring about a welcome change in the treatment of people with mental health challenges, and add diverse and much more appropriate forms of treatment for them.”

Pampering, pampering, and more pampering… At ‘Tze’adim’ every training event is an indulgent celebration – professionally, spiritually and gastronomically😏

Tze’adim is Bayit Cham’s life coaching center, which has already coached hundreds of men and women since its opening some 3 years ago, helping them bring about change that increased their quality of life and level of personal satisfaction.

The center’s coaches recently gathered for an important professional training session. Our dear Yoel Kaplan, the center’s supervisor, shared his great talent to make their work more precise with values and training cards. Another important presenter was Rabbi Moshe Blau (popularly known as Moishe) – one of the greatest rabbis in the field of education and therapy. Rabbi Blau strengthened the belief that effective coaching is a life changer. He moved the coaches with his admiration for the Tze’adim center, praising their wonderful work.

Why specifically ‘Tze’adim’? Because all staff members are properly registered in the Coaches’ Bureau and the entire coaching processes are supervised. The coaches adhere to a precise model that allows for a short, highly focused process, adapted to cultural sensitivities, and are affordable. And the coaches (who prefer not to be photographed and sit in the other side of the hall) are the most professional, the most amazing ❤️

As per our best tradition, there was also kugel, cholent, meat and lots of camaraderie💙

Do you also want to undergo coaching? Contact: 073-2800-537 Tzeadim@bch.org.il

We are deeply
saddened today by the passing of our dear Dr. Tatiana Schechtman, of blessed
memory, who succumbed after a courageous year-long battle with cancer.

Dr.
Schechtman, a pediatric and adult expert psychiatrist, treated patients at
Bayit Cham clinics for more than 10 years.

Beyond her highly regarded professionalism and her
great contribution to the field of psychiatry, Dr. Schechtman loved her work
and cared for everyone with humanity, patience and compassion. She always walked
into Bayit Cham clinics with a smile on her face, exuding warmth and sincere
interest in all those around her; you could never tell that she had just
completed a shift in the hospital having seen dozens of other patients…

Dr. Schechtman was able to talk to teens who would
not open up to anyone else; she uniquely was able to give them the proper care that they needed.

She was never stressed and never indicated that she
didn’t have time. She received each patient with utmost respect as if he or she
were the first to see her that day. She was always available and answered staff’s
questions calmly, every day at any hour, even on her day off. At the end of the
conversation, she would thank the caller for asking and showing concern for the
patients.

The “Bayit Cham” family thanks you, Dr.
Schechtman – for what you have meant to us, to the patients and to every
precious life that you have saved. You will be sorely missed.

We extend our
sincere condolences to the family.

May her soul be bound up in the bond of eternal life.