1918 Dr. Henry Keller, an American orthopedist, visits pre-state Israel as part of a medical delegation to provide medical treatment in response to the region’s healthcare needs.

1931 Dr. Keller opens a clinic on King George Street in Jerusalem to treat children needing orthopedic services.

1934 Dr. Keller sets up a non-profit in New York, called ‘The Society for the Aid of the Cripple in Palestine, Inc.”, later renamed “American Friends of ALYN Hospital”.

1935 The Hebrew name “ALYN” is created, as an acronym meaning “The Society to Aid Disabled Children” (in Hebrew: Agudah L’Yeladim Nechim).

1948 ALYN treats the wounded during the State of Israel’s War of Independence.

Mid-1950’s Amid the polio epidemic, the Ministry of Health repurposes the former San Simon Orthodox monastery for ALYN Hospital, where it treats and educates about 200 children with polio.

1970s Hydrotherapy is introduced, offering multiple benefits as far stress management, easing joint pain and enhancing range of motion. ALYN is unique in that it is able to provide children using ventilators with hydrotherapy sessions.

1971 The ALYN Woldenberg Family Hospital opens in Jerusalem’s Kiryat Yovel neighborhood, funded partly by a generous donation from Malcolm and Dorothy Woldenberg.

1979 ALYN treats its first child who is respirator-dependent, leading to today’s world-renowned Respiratory Rehabilitation Department.

1984 Dr. Shirley Meyer is appointed as the first full-time Director General of ALYN Hospital.

2000 First Wheels of Love charity bike ride is held to benefit the children of ALYN Hospital. It was a resounding success, raising over of $67,000.

2001 ALYN opens the Independent Living Neighborhood (ILN), a residential wing allowing young adults who are ventilator-dependent to live with some independence.

2004 The Feeding Rehabilitation Clinic opens, supporting families coping with babies and children with feeding issues and thereby improving quality of life.

2004 SHACHAR, ALYN’s Educational Day Care Center, opens its doors.

2005 Animal-Assisted Therapy becomes an official project.

2005 Clown Therapy, also known as Humor Therapy, is added to ALYN’s long list of fun therapies, turning treatment into “play” rather than “work”.

2011 Dr. Maurit Beeri becomes Director General of ALYN Hospital, a position she continues to hold.

2014 Art Therapy is added as an additional way for children to express themselves and heal.

2015 Dog-Assisted Therapy is introduced, benefiting children’s mental health while reducing pain and anxiety.

2017 ALYNnovation is established to facilitate assistive technology innovation from development to distribution.

2018 PELE (Personalized Equipment Leading to Empowerment) begins creating adaptive equipment for children facing challenges to independence in day-to-day activities.

2019 ALYN’s Motion Analysis Laboratory opens, the only one in Israel being used for pediatric assessment and clinical planning.

2019 The Bricks of Love program is launched, allowing donors to honor family, friends and special events in their lives by placing a personalized paver in ALYN Hospital’s garden.

2020 AFAH launches Engage in Empathy, a STEM-based program using project-based learning to connect middle-school students to ALYN Hospital.

2021 The Feeding Rehabilitation Center adds the Video-Fluoroscopy System used in Swallow Studies.

2021 The first Wheels of Love: USA ride takes place in Morristown, NJ, drawing 141 riders and raising $121.435.21.

2021 The Respiratory Rehabilitation Department undergoes extensive renovations and upgrades.

2023-2024 ALYN Hospital joins the national war effort by creating adaptive solutions for evacuees, injured soldiers and young adults.