Photos: ALEH's Historic Jerusalem March--Bridging Gap Between Disabled And Israeli Society

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALEH'S HISTORIC JERUSALEM MARCH PROMOTES 'BRIDGING GAP' 

BETWEEN DISABLED, ISRAELI SOCIETY

HUNDREDS BRAVE HOLIDAY TRAFFIC TO ATTEND 

FIRST-EVER MARCH OVER JERUSALEM CHORDS BRIDGE

(JERUSALEM, Israel – April 26, 2011) On Thursday, April 21, a procession of over 300 marchers, including children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities under the care of ALEH (www.aleh.org), their families, caregivers, and volunteers and friends from around the globe, set out from ALEH's Jerusalem facility to cross over the Jerusalem Chords Bridge in a powerful and symbolic display to encourage the integration of Israel's disabled community within Israeli society. Israeli radio personality Menachem Toker set a celebratory tone as the event's master of ceremonies.

The festivities were capped off with singing, dancing, a rousing address by Rabbi Yaakov Shapira, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav, and a ceremony during which over 500 balloons were released into the air to signify the buoyant spirit and unrestricted potential of Israel's disabled children.

Dubbed "ALEH Marches Forward," the event was the organization's first Jerusalem march to increase public awareness of the disabled as well as the first march ever held on the Jerusalem Chords Bridge.

From the Aleh Website:

Aleh is Israel’s largest network of residential facilities for children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities. We provide 650 children in Israel with high-level medical and rehabilitative care in four residential facilities. Aleh is their home and their family – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Whether you are 8 or 80 years old, if you have time, you can change a child's life and your own! Volunteer Opportunities.

From "adopting" a child to purchasing a wheelchair, find out how you can help the children of Aleh. Dedication Opportunities

Technorati Tag: Israel.