ALYNformation

In this issue 

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Growing ALYN’s Reach Through Social Media

There is a moment each year in the Jewish calendar that invites us to pause — not simply to remember, but to receive again. Shavuot, the holiday marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The Torah provides a framework, renewed in every generation. A guide for how we are called to live, how we are called to care for one another, and how we are called to show up, especially for the most vulnerable among us. As I write this, my final message to you as Executive Director of American Friends of ALYN Hospital, it is that spirit that moves through me most powerfully. What I have witnessed over these past three years is a community that lives that framework. Not in the abstract, but in the most concrete and beautiful ways imaginable. On October 7, 2023, the world changed. And in the days and weeks that followed, I watched ALYN Hospital do something extraordinary. While the entire region reeled in grief and shock, the staff at ALYN — doctors, therapists, nurses, administrators — never faltered. Children with complex medical needs do not pause for crisis. Their bodies, their therapies, their progress — all of it continued to demand the same level of precision, compassion, and dedication. And ALYN delivered. What moved me equally was what happened here, in America. People came together and rallied around children they had never met, in a country thousands of miles away. That is the Torah in action. That is the principle that every human life carries infinite worth, and that we are each responsible for one another. I have carried that moment with me ever since. At its heart, ALYN Hospital is not simply a medical institution. It is a place where the values we hold most dear are given life every single day. Each child who arrives is received as a whole person. Each family is embraced as a partner. The work is painstaking, the progress can be slow, yet the devotion never wavers. This, too, is the spirit of Shavuot: the understanding that the framework we were given is not meant to be stored on a shelf. It is meant to be lived — in the way we structure our institutions, in the way we treat a child who cannot speak for himself, in the way we stand beside a frightened/exhausted parent who needs to know they are not alone. ALYN embodies that. Every single day. As I step away from this role, I am full of gratitude for having had the privilege of serving this mission. And I am full of admiration for the families and supporters who make this work possible. My wish is that American Friends of ALYN Hospital will continue to grow in reach and recognition — bringing this story to communities who have not yet heard it, and inspiring new champions to stand alongside those who already have. There are still children waiting, working, and hoping, and the support that flows from this community makes an extraordinary difference in their lives. May ALYN’s name become more widely known, and may the children at the heart of this mission feel that a community across the world believes in them. It has been an honor.

In this issue 

Over the past months, we’ve been fortunate to unite our community through a variety of thoughtfully curated events—from our Wine Over Mind mentalist evening with Lev, to our challah braiding gathering, Barry’s Bootcamp with Empowered2Sweat, our Parlour meeting in Miami, Shabbat dinners with Kibbutz NYC, a Valentines Day Happy hour with Chai Life, and our mixology night with Kesher Connect. We’ve also hosted creative experiences like our paint-and-sip event and a hands-on initiative where we made paintings for the children at the hospital. While each event looked different on the surface, they all shared the same foundation: creating spaces where people can connect, give back, and feel part of something meaningful. What stood out most was not just the turnout, but the way people showed up—with intention, generosity, and a genuine desire to be part of a collective impact.

Each year, as we move through the days of the Omer—that sacred stretch of time between the liberation of Passover and the revelation of Shavuot—I find myself reflecting on what it truly means to be free. The Israelites wandered through the desert not simply to reach a destination, but to be transformed. To become a people capable of receiving the Torah. To learn, in the most profound way, what it means to care for one another. It is in that spirit that I think about ALYN Hospital in Jerusalem—and why I believe, with all my heart, that it is a holy place. ALYN stands as a shining example of what it means to live by some of the highest Jewish values—compassion, inclusion, and unwavering commitment to helping others. At ALYN, staff, volunteers, patients, and their families—people of every background and faith—come together, united by a shared mission: to provide exceptional care and support to children with complex physical challenges. No matter what a child’s background, if they need ALYN’s services, they receive them—without hesitation. These past few years have tested the people of Israel in ways that are difficult to put into words. The trauma of the ongoing conflict, the fear and grief that have touched nearly every family—in Israel and in Jewish communities around the world—have reminded us how fragile life can be, and how essential it is to hold onto what matters most. Many of us have friends and relatives in Israel who have lived through this pain directly. We think of them constantly. And yet, through it all, ALYN has never stopped. Every single day—through sirens, through uncertainty, through sorrow—the doctors, nurses, therapists, and staff have shown up for their patients. The children in their care could not wait, and ALYN did not make them wait. That kind of dedication, sustained in the face of everything the past two years have brought, is nothing short of heroic. At American Friends of ALYN Hospital, our mission is to raise awareness and support for this vital institution. The need has never been greater—and neither has the opportunity to make a difference. Together, we can continue to create lasting change—for the children at ALYN, for the people of Israel, and for the world.

In this issue 

In the wake of war and destruction, ALYN Hospital remains steadfast in its mission to deliver care with professionalism and unwavering dedication. We encourage you to watch this video from ALYN, narrated by Dr. Maurit Beeri, Director General of ALYN Hospital, capturing the early morning hours of this past Saturday — moments that demanded swift coordination, decisive leadership, and extraordinary commitment. Within a very short time, our medical and logistics teams mobilized to safely transfer ventilated children to a specially designated protected area — a space made possible through the generosity of donors like you. ALYN Hospital believes that optimal rehabilitation does not pause for quieter days. Even in times of emergency, children continue moving forward. They do not wait for a better world — they are active partners in creating it. Every milestone, every breath, is a small victory and a powerful reminder of the strength of hope. Your support ensures that we can continue to protect, heal, and empower Israel’s most vulnerable children — even in times of crisis.

Each year as Passover approaches, we are called to do more than just retell the story of our Exodus from Egypt—we are expected to imagine that we, ourselves, are going through this experience. This journey is not only the story of our ancestors. It is a story being written right now, one painstaking step at a time, by the children of ALYN Hospital.

Each year, as Passover approaches, we are invited to do more than retell an ancient story—we are called to live its deepest truth. The journey from bondage to freedom is not only the story of our ancestors. It is the story being written right now, one painstaking step at a time, by the children of ALYN Hospital. ALYN Hospital is Israel’s only pediatric rehabilitation center—a place where children with the most complex physical challenges come to fight for their independence. These are children who have survived catastrophic injuries, debilitating illness, and conditions present since birth. They arrive at ALYN dependent. They leave transformed. For them, freedom is not a destination. It is the first step taken. A breath drawn without a machine. A word spoken after months of silence. As American Friends of ALYN Hospital, we are the bridge that makes these miracles possible. Your gift—made right here in the United States—directly funds the life-changing treatments, advanced therapies, and innovative equipment that give these children a fighting chance. With your support, a child can receive a ventilator to breathe, and begin to speak after a traumatic brain injury, or take their first independent steps after years in a wheelchair.

The Israeli archery team arrived at the "ALYN" Children and Youth Rehabilitation Hospital in Jerusalem, and held a joint training session with the archery group of children treated at the veteran medical institution. Among the team's athletes were the new European champion in the mixed doubles competition, Michaela Moshe (Maccabi Tel Aviv), the 2024 European champion and Israeli record holder, Shamai Yamarom (Maccabi Archers First), and archer Yehuda Cohen (Maccabi Archers Jerusalem). The connection between Alin and the archery team happened naturally. The hospital, which is considered the only one in the country specializing in the rehabilitation of children and youth, established an archery group several years ago, due to the fact that archery is considered a therapeutic sport recommended as a rehabilitation activity. In fact, archery allows children to see themselves not only as patients, but as active participants in the process of growth and development. The children treated at the hospital met the team representatives, and for several hours enjoyed a welcome and empowering leisure activity. The archery group at the hospital is a project jointly led by archery instructor Eliyahu Berlowitz-Levin and physiotherapist Amichai Gutman. Dr. Maurit Beeri , CEO of Alyn Hospital: "Archery is an innovative and unique addition that integrates into rehabilitation activities at Alyn because it does not require walking or running abilities, and combines strengthening back muscles, hand-eye coordination, concentration on a goal, and age-appropriate social activity. As such, it joins a host of activities that encourage children's motivation to improve as part of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation process." Amit Shiner-Dandkar , Chairman of the Archery Association: "Archery can be adapted to any person and any physical limitation, and beyond its physical-motor benefits, it has a special empowering power. We were happy to come with the archers of the Israeli national team for a joint training session with the archery team that trains at the hospital, believing that the meeting would be meaningful for both the young archers at Alyn and the archers of the national team, and it was exciting and heart-warming to see the connection between them." About Alyn Hospital: Alyn Hospital treats children with complex physical problems that affect their development, including children who have been injured in accidents, survived serious illnesses, are dealing with birth defects, are recovering from advanced orthopedic surgeries, and more. Alyn has full hospitalization departments, day hospitalization, multi-team clinics, a therapeutic sports system, and more. Alyn has an innovation center that operates a system of solutions that are individually manufactured for children, as well as the ALYNnovation project that works with startup companies and international organizations leading to significant breakthroughs in the world of child rehabilitation.

In this issue 

As we look ahead, ensuring long-term support for ALYN means investing in younger leaders today. Through our Young Professionals initiative, AFAH is building a vibrant network dedicated to raising awareness, fostering community, and sustaining ALYN’s mission for generations to come. This has become a national movement with events held in Boston, NYC, LA, Chicago, and Austin. We recently hosted a Valentine’s Day–themed cocktail hour in Boston in partnership with Chai Life Boston, bringing together over 180 young Jewish professionals for a fun night of drinks. Our most recent event was Mind Over Wine in NYC , partnering with Moishe House UES and House of Lev, featuring mentalist Michael Samen. It’s shaping up to be an exciting night—good wine, great company, and a performance that’s all about surprises. conversation and plenty of bourekas and babka. Behind the scenes, we’ve also held a few meetings of our Young Professionals Committee as we work to expand the program and plan new ways for people to connect through future events and partnerships. We are always looking for people to join the committee. If you know anyone who may be interested, please reach out to Alex at alex@alynus.org . We’re looking forward to continuing the momentum with more events in the months ahead.

There is something extraordinary about the stretch of time we find ourselves in right now. We stand between two of the most spirited holidays on the Jewish calendar—Tu B’Shvat, the New Year of the Trees, and Purim, a celebration of resilience and joy. 

At ALYN Hospital, Purim isn't just another holiday. It's an experience — with the focus where it matters most: the children. From the moment families arrive, the halls are filled with laughter, music, and creative costumes that make every corner feel like a celebration. Kids and siblings donned vibrant masks and playful outfits, bringing playful energy to the hospital spaces. ALYN’s incredible team made sure that every child had a chance to take part in interactive Purim activities — from glittering art stations where they decorated groggers and crowns, to festive Purim décor that transforms the hospital into a world of color and imagination. Sweet holiday snacks are made special by the kids using the newly upgraded therapeutic kitchen with adjustable tables, sink, smart tech appliances, and wheelchair-friendly spaces. The delicious treats are shared throughout the day, and families and staff gather for moments of light-hearted fun that help brighten the routine of rehabilitation with the warmth of the holiday spirit. At ALYN, staff and families continuously come together to transform the day, year after year, into something truly special — a chance to create memories, share happiness, and make every child feel seen, cherished, and part of something in their journey towards independence.

In this issue