Arab community raises unprecedented funds for Israeli charity

The Arab city of Kalansua last week held a fundraising event called ‘A Smile of Hope’ for leading Israeli disabilities organization, Beit Issie Shapiro and their Sindian Center, which serves the Arab community in the Southern Triangle. It is believed to be the largest fundraiser of its kind in an Arab community for an established Israeli charity.

Arab community raises unprecedented funds for Israeli charity

The Arab city of Kalansua last week held a fundraising event called ‘A Smile of Hope’ for leading Israeli disabilities organization, Beit Issie Shapiro and their Sindian Center, which serves the Arab community in the Southern Triangle. The event raised a record breaking 300,000 NIS and was attended by 700 people. It is believed to be the largest fundraiser of its kind in an Arab community for an established Israeli charity.

Organizer Nawaf Zmiro is a lifelong campaigner for disabilities in the Arab community and recipient of the President’s Prize for Volunteering.

“As someone with a disability myself, I have a great appreciation for Beit Issie Shapiro,” says Nawaf. “Together, we do such good work for the population with disabilities in the Southern Triangle. The social change needed is already being felt in a very impressive way because we have been working for so long and so hard on inclusion. Beit Issie Shapiro has helped me realize my ambitions, and to show my abilities for people with disabilities. A huge thank you.”

“This event is testimony to how the community is committed to helping people with disabilities,” says Jean Judes, Executive Director of Beit Issie Shapiro. “I remember when we first started working in Kalansua there was great stigma towards the people with disabilities. Today the situation is reversed.”

The event was hosted by the well-known Arab news and sports reporter Zohir Baalul, with speakers including Beit Issie Shapiro’s Executive Director Jean Judes and Advisor on Arab Affairs to the Minister of Education, Mr. Nasser Abu Safia. Mayor of Kalansua Mr. Albassat Slama, and Dr Zeid Abou Moch, Head of the Islamic Department of the Interior Ministry attended the event, as did Member of Knesset Ahmad Tibi, leader of the Arab Movement for Change (Ta'al) party.

“It was moving and emotional to see everyone working together as partners towards a joint mission, as well as the commitment to ensuring the financial sustainability of this important community service,” says Jean.

“We felt that, in addition to raising funds, we were creating an unprecedented cross-cultural dialogue between Jews and Arabs and between people with disabilities and without,” says Nawaf. “We all have a common goal and want our children to be healthy and happy. Through a language understood by all, Jews and Arabs united under the common banner of giving. My heart was overwhelmed throughout the evening.”

If you would like to donate to Beit Issie Shapiro, please visit en.beitissie.org.il/donate.