Jerusalem Hospital To Help Disabled Children In Russia
(JTA) — In a move designed to address the growing plight of disabled Jewish children in Russia, their community paired up with an Israel-based world-leader in treating their problems.
The Sept. 14 signing of a cooperation agreement between Shalva, an Israeli organization with over 25 years of experience in treating children with disabilities, and the Russian Jewish Congress followed the 2015 discontinuation of services for hundreds of thousands of disabled persons in Russia in the framework of a health reform that critics say is cruel.
The Russian Jewish Congress already has special programs in place for approximately 600 Russian children with disabilities, many of them from the Jewish community, the two groups said in a statement about their cooperation.
“Shalva is making Israel a world leader in the field of special needs, and for me it is very meaningful to see this global movement stemming from the holy city of Jerusalem,” said Jan Piskunov, a member of the executive board of the Russian Jewish Congress.
Following the overhaul of Russia’s public health services, about half a million patients are denied disability benefits under new measures that critics say are hurting the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
The number of Russians formally recognized as disabled dropped from nearly 13 million in early 2014 to 12.45 million in September 2015.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
