BEIT HALOCHEM CENTRES
At Beit Halochem Centres in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Be’er Sheva, Nahariya, and the future Ashdod, our members and their families receive the help they need to lead productive and fulfilling lives.
These state-of the-art facilities offer a comprehensive range of over 450 rehabilitative services including physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, therapeutic devices, increasingly vital PTSD support, individualized sports equipment and coaching, cultural activities, and an array of inspired, engaging family programming.
At the Centres, over 500 experienced staff members are dedicated to using their diverse skills and the leading-edge amenities to deliver high-quality personalized care to Israel’s injured defenders.
Locations
TEL AVIV
JERUSALEM
BE’ER SHEVA
HAIFA
NAHARIYA
ASHDOD
Services and Programs
Every Beit Halochem Centre is tailored to accommodate a broad range of disabilities, most especially, emphasizing the requirements of those who are visually impaired or use wheelchairs. Innovative techniques ensure that all members can actively engage in the majority of sports, educational programs, and social events taking place at the Centres.
These leading-edge facilities offer a comprehensive range of unparalleled services including physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, therapeutic devices, specialized sports equipment and coaching, cultural activities, and an array of inspired programming
to engage the entire family.
Rehabilitative Services
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At Beit Halochem, tailored programs of physical therapy and fitness regimens, spanning short to long durations, enhance bodily functions and foster independence. These personalized treatments are administered by highly-trained professionals under rigorous medical oversight. Members receive care in state-of-the-art fitness facilities equipped with the most up-to-date equipment designed to accommodate various disabilities.
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Water is recognized as a significant factor in treating those with severe paralysis or orthopaedic issues. The heated water relaxes muscles, eases pain, and enables strengthening exercises to improve mobility. Each Centre has specially-heated swimming pools as well as dedicated hydrotherapy pools in which treatments are administered by professionals expertly trained in delivering customized treatments. To initiate the rehabilitation process to be as beneficial as possible, hydrotherapy sessions begin while the injured are still in hospitals or rehabilitation units.
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological response to the experience of intense traumatic events. Founded by Beit Halochem Canada in Jerusalem in 2017, Achiad is the support initiative for PTSD-affected members. Alongside psychotherapists and social workers, each Achiad group is moderated by injured veterans also afflicted with PTSD. Each group meets weekly to engage in specially-designed therapeutic, rehabilitative, and recreational activities. Now available at all Beit Halochem Centres, PTSD support groups are offered to both veterans and their partners. Beit Halochem Canada continues to fund this increasingly vital program.
Specialized Sports
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Competitive sports offer far more than individual challenges to injured persons; they serve as a great source of pride for both the State of Israel and the wider disabled community. Beyond the personal fulfillment that comes from engaging in competitive sports, they also offer substantial rehabilitative benefits. Through competition, disabled veterans are empowered to rise above their limitations and face the challenges of their new circumstances with greater resilience and determination. This aids in their physical rehabilitation and boosts their mental and emotional strength.
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Sailing, rowing, kayaking, stand up paddling (SUP) all take place either at sea or on the Yarkon River in central Israel. Trained by professional coaches, some members go on to represent Israel at international competitions, including the Paralympic Games.
Cultural Activities
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The Centres’ social and cultural departments organize a wide variety of activities, including those competitive or focused on achievement. Chess and bridge clubs convene regularly, with some participants engaging in on-site league tournaments. The billiards club is especially popular, most significantly among members who have sustained head injuries; billiards is recognized for its potential to enhance coordination.
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Beit Halochem encourages members and their families to participate in a diverse array of creative clubs and classes. These include photography, ceramics, painting, and sculpture, music, and language learning, among others. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by the partners of disabled veterans, this programming provides a much-needed respite from daily responsibilities. While disabled members participate in sports or therapy sessions, their partners have the opportunity to explore numerous classes, fostering personal growth and community connection.
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Each Beit Halochem Centre boasts at least one singing troupe and dance troupe, both guided by professionals. Dance troupes feature a dynamic mix of wheelchair dancers and standing partners, the latter volunteering their time to partner with their wheelchair-using counterparts. This collaboration epitomizes the triumph of will and spirit, showcasing the dancers' determination to realize their dreams despite physical limitations.
The troupes’ repertoires encompass a wide range of performances from song and dance to theatrical stage shows. Performances include Israeli and international folk dances, as well as Latino and ballroom dancing. Several couples in the troupes compete on the international stage, often bringing home medals and honouring Beit Halochem, Israel, and themselves.
The Beit Halochem singers also hold a place of pride within the organization, performing regularly at national Remembrance Day ceremonies and representing Beit Halochem at national choir festivals. Their talent extends beyond Israel’s borders, as they travel across Europe to showcase the country at international choir festivals, furthering the organization's mission and spreading its message of resilience and hope.
Family-Friendly Programs
Ensuring the entire family actively participates in their loved ones' rehabilitation is crucial. Each Centre provides programming for every member of the family, including PTSD support groups for partners. Children enjoy a diverse range of activities after school and during vacation time. Parties and social events entertain young and old alike. On-site playrooms, special story hours, plays, and puppet shows engage the smallest of children, allowing their parents the freedom to attend, and benefit, from their therapy sessions.
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Embracing the idea that the effective rehabilitation of disabled veterans benefits from their families' involvement, Beit Halochem ensures that members' children receive ample attention and care. Childcare services are offered in fully-equipped nurseries during the afternoon, granting parents the freedom to participate in their own activities. Over the summer break, a variety of crafts and sports clubs are organized, along with film screenings and theatrical performances. Additionally, study groups, hobby clubs, and social gatherings are available throughout the day, offering members and their families opportunities to unwind, connect, and enjoy quality time together.
