Special Education

Gush Etzion also prides itself on having a special focus on special education needs, both in our elementary schools and kindergartens.

Located in Rosh Tzurim are two unique schools, Reishit and Sadna which offer special needs children a chance for being in a regular framework with regular children.

The ratio of special needs children is 1 out of 8 and it is one of the most successful special needs programs in Israel, drawing families to Gush Etzion from all over the country.

We are also proud to have a satellite branch of the wonderful Shalva program in Alon Shvut in Gush Etzion, to provide afternoon programs for our mentally and physically challenged children. Before the Arab uprising in 2000, these special needs children from Gush Etzion would travel to Jerusalem daily for afternoon activities. Once the traveling became a problem, a local solution had to be found for the families whose stresses of dealing with a special needs child are high enough without the added burden of traveling on dangerous roads. These special needs children now benefit from a daily after school program from 2-6 pm at which time they are transported to their homes after a nutritious supper.

There are 4 special needs kindergartens where young challenged and special children receive therapy with professionals.

For additional information on these programs, or for ideas on how you can help, please email gushezief@inter.net.il or call 972-2-993-9917.

Budget

Therapy room in Regional Elementary School	$20,000
Special educational equipment	$5,000
Software for challenged children	$2,500