For some, it happened in a moment. For others, it progressed over a period of years. All were once active and productive citizens. Today, their deficits in motor and language skills interfere with their ability to function in society. So they all come to Yad Sarah several times per week for a comprehensive, holistic approach to rehabilitation therapy. Besides the standard clinical services such as occupational, physical, and speech therapy, there are additional programs to provide the crucial social and emotional supports.  An integral part of this program is the Arts and Crafts workshop. Every Monday morning the participants get three hours of recreation, therapy, and socialization. But that’s not all they get. “Coming to Yad Sarah gives them joy and purpose in life,” says Devorah Zwick, a volunteer at the program.

The group consists of about 15 women with varying degrees of neurological disabilities, brought on by strokes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or various other disorders. They all have difficulties with fine motor and communication skills.  According to speech pathologist Elana Kravitz, who was trained in New York and immigrated to Israel,  “Their weaknesses in communication skills may vary from mild difficulties with verbal recall and verbal synthesis to more severe dysarthrias, apraxias, and aphasias.”  That is, many have difficulty, producing coherent and intelligible speech, though their cognitive skills are usually age appropriate.  Though the women are also receiving clinical services from occupational and speech therapists, the arts and crafts program provides them with additional opportunities to improve visual motor coordination and fine motor skills in a recreational and social setting. The latter also provides significant emotional support and mental health benefits.  According to Irit Nahaloni, Director of the Day Rehabilitation Center, “Their  participation in community activities is important. Instead of staying home with minimal socialization, the women have become part of an active community. Their ability to produce something that is creative and useful improves their feelings of self-worth. Their  participation in community activities helps them realize that they can still be productive and their social life isn’t over yet.”

The instructor for the class is Beverly Marcus, a retired art teacher who immigrated to Israel three years ago from New Jersey. Beverly took a tour of the Yad Sarah facilities and was impressed by the myriad of services provided to the community.  At the time, Irit was looking for an experienced art teacher who might be able to provide long term service.  It was a match made in Heaven. “I’m very proud to be a part of this community of volunteers that contributes so much to Israeli society. There is immense gratification from the appreciation and progress demonstrated by the participants in the group,” noted Beverly.

Another instructor in the class is Louzia Krishevsky, a young woman who is fulfilling her requirements for national civil service.  Louzia noted that there is an emphasis on producing attractive and useful items that can be used in the home or given as gifts to children and grandchildren.  These may include items such as trivets, picture frames, embroidery, note holders, and serving trays.  “Seeing their creative work put to practical use, helps to promote their self-esteem because they realize that they can still be productive and appreciated,”  Louzia observed.  Irit, who has been involved with the program since its inception over 15 years ago, added that that some of the future products may be sold in the Yad Sarah gift shop so to give the participants an increased sense of gratification by contributing to Yad Sarah as well. Irit aslos observed that, “The social networks and friendships that the participants have established also provides further encouragement to get out of the home and into social environments that provide even more opportunities to improve their communication, motor skills, and emotional well-being.”  Yad Sarah assists in these endeavors as well by providing transportation and mobility services to those that need them.