Creating Employment Opportunities for Adults with Special Needs or Autism in Jerusalem

In the presence of leading Rabbis and prominent community officials, a ceremony was held filled with great emotions at the opening of the ninth Employment Center for Alei Siach, which offers a solution for adults with autism who are seeking to work and be a part of the labor force in Israel. The new center will be called Weiss Center (Merkaz Weiss) in honor of the grandfather of the benefactor Reb Aryeh Weiss.

The founder and Chairman of Alei Siach, Rav Chaim Perkal, said, “This new center joins eight other Employment Centers established by Alei Siach to create employment opportunities for people with autism and special needs.

At the event, several Rabbinical and community luminaries spoke:

• HaGaon Rav Asher Weiss, Shlita, noted, “Alei Siach is a holy enterprise of chessed and giving.
• Chief Rabbi David Baruch Lau, Shlita, shared with the attendees about the relationship he has had with Rabbi Chaim Perkal over many years.
• Member of the Knesset and Chair of the Labor and Welfare Committee Rav Yisrael Eichler noted, “There are children who have the nurturing of mothers to care for them, but there are also children who desperately need the support of “Shifra” and “Puah” to help each child thrive according to his needs. The dedicated staff, management, and donors of Alei Siach are doing the sacred and holy work to revive the neshama of each child, through the support of their educational and social welfare needs. Hashem will reward you with great blessings.
• Member of the Knesset and Chair of the Health Committee Rav Yoni Mashriki and Deputy Speaker of the Knesset Erez Malul emphasized the commitment of the Knesset to support Alei Siach.
• Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Eliezer Rauchberger added that it was a great privilege and honor for him to be a part of the process to ensure governmental approvals for the construction of the new building

The famous musician Reb Uziel Deutsch moved the audience with a very touching German song that explains the role and challenges of the special needs child. The event, organized by Tzvai’im Hakafot, also offered valuable information for parents and professional content for the staff.

Rabbi Perkal thanked all those who collaborated on this tremendous and important project. “We are grateful to the distinguished Weiss family for playing an important part in our growth and expansion. We also thank Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion for his support. And of course, none of this could have been possible without the dedicated Alei Siach team, who is responsible for the establishment of the entire organization and its operations, and Rav Reuven Krishevsky, the Director of Development, who assists us throughout the entire journey.

The Employment Center’s benefactor, Reb Aryeh Weiss, said, “Alei Siach does the job perfectly. I am grateful to them to have the merit of partnering in this holy enterprise.”

The establishment of this new Employment Center is very meaningful to the families of those with autism or who have low-functioning intellectual disabilities in Jerusalem. It will provide them with additional opportunities to integrate into Israeli society in a significant way, enable them to obtain job skills, and help develop their self-confidence.