This year, while a student at Bnei Akiva’s Midreshet Torah v’Avodah, I have had the immense privilege of volunteering at the adult rehabilitation center of Tsad Kadima. Tsad Kadima, which translates to A Step Forward, operates educational-rehabilitation centers for children and adults with complex physical disabilities. Although my time with them was short, Tsad Kadima has given me an experience I will never forget.
Though the adults I worked with all have complex central nervous system impairments, their abilities vary—there’s no two participants with the same needs, abilities or personalities. Tsad Kadima aims to give each participant the confidence, skills and community to lead a life where they make the decisions and take control of their care. This is done through Conductive Education, an educational-rehabilitative approach to optimize their learning and autonomy. Instead of the facility dictating what the participants do every day, the participants and their families are involved in every step of their therapy and activities. This partnership gives them dignity, independence and ownership of their abilities while ensuring they get the individualized attention they need. Tsad Kadima is the only organization in Israel that implements this approach.
As most of the participants are in wheelchairs and many have limited use of their arms and legs, the center has bins full of assistive devices such as silverware and cups so the participants can be as independent as possible. The physical therapy room has adaptive sports like basketball and tennis that they love. The room is full of balls of all different sizes and material so everyone can play whatever sport they choose. There is a computer room where participants learn how to navigate technology and an art room full of color. The art room has shelves full of participants’ ceramic works and their painted canvases are on display on the walls.
The staff are so immersed in their work and pour their heart and soul into helping these participants fulfill their full potential. Each participant has different means of communicating; both staff and participants use various assistive communication devices such as books, boards and eye-tracking computer devices.
Even though they all communicate differently, the participants still have the ability to have deep, thought-provoking conversations with each other. I have seen participants talk about everything from politics to their new favorite TV shows, and I am amazed by the patience the participants have with each other’s different means of communication. Tsad Kadima has given these participants a community where they can lean on and be vulnerable with one another.
There is one woman in particular whom I have truly seen grow into herself. “Shira” (not her real name) is an adult with a severe physical disability. At the start of my time at Tsad Kadima, Shira sat on the side of group discussions and never participated or asked for anything. Now, she is not only actively involved in the programming, but she is excited for the day’s schedule.
The Tsad Kadima programming is immersive and requires everyone’s participation. Once a week, the participants split into their different “goal groups,” where they each choose a project to work on throughout the year. One group has taken the initiative to volunteer at a gan for children with conditions just like theirs. Some of the participants even went to this gan and now have a chance to give back. They have a day planned of singing and bonding, and they will hopefully build connections with these kids and help them feel seen.
Tsad Kadima has a brewery fully run by the participants called Bira Kadima, the first socially responsible microbrewery in Jerusalem. Once a week, they brew, label and package their own beer. Bira Kadima is not only their beer brand, but a project that every single person involved in Tsad Kadima is proud of.
On the outside, Tsad Kadima may look like a care center where adults with special needs brew beer, compose music and create beautiful art. But it is so much more than that. It’s an unbreakable family bond where everyone pushes each other to be their best and most independent self. The center provides an outlet for them to be truly themselves and take advantage of their abilities.
When I made a college decision a year and a half ago, I really had no idea what I wanted to pursue as a career. Through this internship I have found a purpose and passion. I went to my internship every day and I couldn’t help but smile due to the positive energy radiating from both the staff and participants. I now plan to go into social work and lead my life the Tsad Kadima way—full of joy, teamwork, and always taking A Step Forward.
For high schoolers reading this about to embark on a gap year, my best advice to you is to say ‘yes’ and seek opportunities out of your comfort zone. I never thought I’d choose an internship that challenged me in this way, but I’m so grateful I did.
Tsad Kadima operates educational-rehabilitation centers and conducts special programs and activities in communities around Israel. Its target audience includes hundreds of infants, toddlers, children, young adults and adults, their families, and the wider community. Its staff includes 200+ dedicated professionals.
https://www.tsadkadima.org.il/en
Hailey Diamond is a graduate of Yeshivat Noam and Frisch and after an amazing year at TVA she will begin at Binghamton University in the fall.
