As security tensions force many Israelis to remain at home for extended periods, the professional teams of the Shtilim Network mobilized for a wide-ranging logistical and educational effort to support children with special needs.
Their response includes personalized remote learning, daily phone contact with students, and the delivery of activity kits to students’ homes. In addition, Shtilim organized entertaining and relaxing Zoom shows for the children and their families, including a magician, an animal show, and a Kabbalat Shabbat program.
Meanwhile, the network’s residential programs continue to operate under emergency protocols. Special attention has also been given to guiding parents as they cope with the constant stress of children remaining at home and the disruption of their daily routines.
While the entire education system is grappling with the security situation and the impact of Operation “Roaring Lion” on the home front, educators at Shtilim understood that for their students, staying home is far more than an inconvenience. For children with communication disorders or other special needs, any disruption to their familiar routine can lead to regression and place significant strain on their families. Recognizing this challenge, the network transferred much of its therapeutic and educational framework directly into students’ homes, helping children and parents maintain stability during a tense and uncertain time.
Across the network’s institutions, a remote learning system based on close personal contact was established. Each day, teachers and therapists hold individual conversations with students, while group video calls during the week allow children to see their classmates and maintain a sense of community.
Beyond the digital response, Shtilim also ensured that learning materials reached students physically. Customized worksheets, informational guides for parents, and creative activity kits were delivered to homes. At the Beit Miriam School in Beit Shemesh, which serves girls with communication disorders, students received kits containing stories and hands-on craft activities, allowing them to remain engaged with meaningful, age-appropriate content even during long hours at home.
The human toll of the crisis became painfully clear when a lethal missile struck Beit Shemesh, causing extensive destruction and completely demolishing the home of one of the network’s students. The child and his family were evacuated to a hotel in Jerusalem with virtually nothing. Shtilim immediately stepped in, purchasing clothing, toys, food, and other necessities for the child. His teachers even traveled by taxi from Beit Shemesh to the hotel in Jerusalem to visit him. Deeply confused and anxious after the traumatic event, the student was comforted by the familiar presence of his teachers, who helped explain the situation and ease his fear and uncertainty.
Even during the height of the operation, Shtilim continued operating its residential and out-of-home programs, which serve as a vital anchor for at-risk youth who require a stable therapeutic environment. These facilities maintained a full daily schedule including studies, physical activity, and community volunteering, based on the understanding that routine is one of the most powerful tools in times of uncertainty.
Throughout the crisis, the network’s paramedical staff remained available for consultation and remote support. As a leading provider of special education in Israel, Shtilim remains committed to offering professional and compassionate assistance at all times, recognizing the complex challenges faced by families during this difficult period.
