Thursday, May 1st is Cycles for Smiles

Cycles for Smiles is our annual fundraiser and "awareness raiser" for Beit Issie Shapiro, our sister school in Israel.  Beit Issie Shapiro is a remarkable school for children with severe disabilities.   Our ECC children will have an exciting day participating in a “bike-a-thon” and other fun Israeli-themed events.

The mitzvah message for the ECC children is that they will ride bicycles for children who aren’t able to ride themselves.  All money raised by our families will go to Beit Issie Shapiro, so that they can provide adaptive play equipment for the severely disabled children at their campus in Israel.  This is an incredible way to teach our children about kindness, empathy, acceptance, and Jewish mitzvot. You can find more information on Beit Issie Shapiro by watching this powerful video HERE. 

Leading up to our big Cycles for Smiles event, the children will have the opportunity to learn about differences in many ways.  They will play with dolls with differences in class, read books about differences and similarities, and participate in activities that explore how we deal with physical differences.

What can you do?

• Give Generously!  In Hebrew, the word “chai” means life.  “Chai” also stands for the number 18.  We are asking our families to sponsor the children in increments of $18.  Give $18, $36, $54, $72, $90, $108… Please help us surpass our goals, and give generously.  Ask grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, and friends to help by donating “chai” too!  Please make checks payable to Beit Issie Shapiro or donate online HERE. 
• Count Your Blessings!  Beit Issie Shapiro is a school for children who are severely challenged both mentally and physically.  Our financial help enables Beit Issie Shapiro to provide services and special equipment for the children, and to ease the burden on their families.  Let’s be grateful for what we have and reach out to those we can help.  If everyone donates, we can make a real difference in the lives of some very special children. 
• Be Here!  Currently enrolled ECC families are invivted to come to school on Tuesday, May 14th to cheer your class on and participate in some activities together.   Schedules will be sent out when we get back from Spring Break, but your participation will take less than an hour. 

Beit Issie Shapiro is Israel’s pioneering leader and innovator in the field of disabilities providing services and sharing models that improve the lives of people with disabilities globally; impacting 500,000+ people annually. Our mission is to create a more inclusive society across the globe by advancing the rights and equal opportunities for people with disabilities.

To learn more please visit our website:   https://en.beitissie.org.il