Embracing ILAN (Israel Association for Handicapped Children) with the President of the State of Israel - Shimon Peres

The President of the State of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres yesterday (13/01/13) opened his official residence to mark the start of the new work year for ILAN. Forty representatives of the Diamond Exchange attended the ceremony headed by President of the Diamond Exchange, Mr. Yair Sahar, who this year heads the Israeli version of the "March of Dimes”, otherwise known as "Mitsad HaPrutot" (March of Pennies).

Every moving event has its climax. Yesterday this moment came when the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres, made his appearance.
As is customary, Shimon Peres made his way among those sitting in the first row, shaking hands with each. Except that this time, seated in the first row were young people – some very young indeed – all confined to wheelchairs. Some could not even reach out to return the President's handshake.

Shimon Peres did not give up, sometimes shaking only a forearm. He was not content with greeting the those seated in the first row only, working his way into the second row as well. After that he shook hands with all the members of the choir from Tefen High School for girls, which included disabled youth. Only after greeting all the handicapped youth, did he sit down in the front row between ILAN Chairman, Certified Public Accountant Ehud Razabi, who serves as President of Lahav, and the President of the Diamond Exchange, Yair Sahar, who this year heads ILAN’s Committee on Higher Education as well as heading ILAN's annual fundraising campaign - "Mitsad HaPrutot" (March of Pennies).


For the diamond industry participants, the high point came when Shimon Peres rose to speak after Yair Sahar had finished his speech. Before affixing his reading glasses to deliver his written speech, he related to Sahar's speech in an impromptu way, in essence saying that the work of the Israel Diamond Exchange for the advancement and good of Israeli society can be compared to a rough diamond, polished until its sparkle and shine can be seen from afar.
The ceremony was directed jointly by ILAN's CEO, Samuel Zuriel, and Matti Mazor, a handicapped law student. Students of Tefen High School, which integrates handicapped youth, sang, "I am whole; I do not lack in anything, and it's okay for me to love myself”, which was the recurring chorus of the song Free and Happy, written and composed by the music teacher, Chanah Eisen.

ILAN Chairman, Ehud Razabi, stressed the importance of higher education for handicapped young people. Backed up by data of the National Insurance Institute which shows that 71% of the disabled who had studied at institutions of higher learning found gainful employment and that a lack of advanced education, or attaining education only at a low or minimal level, makes it difficult to integrate into the workforce. "The high correlation between education and one’s ability to successfully integrate into the workforce applies to all sectors, but it has added importance for people with disabilities", he said.
Ehud Rassabi illustrated his words by relating the stories of three handicapped persons whom he held up as a model for the integration of all the disabled in academic studies. His words were reinforced through the film "Through Willpower" which tells the story of Eli Sapir, a doctoral student in the field of Education at Bar Ilan University, who serves as a role model and a source of inspiration for the many disabled who aspire to attain higher education.
Diamond Exchange President, Yair Sahar, described the strength and vigor of the Israel Diamond Industry, backing up his words with figures and additional data. He related the importance the Diamond Exchange attaches to community and communal activities. He reported that during the period 2012-2013, these activities were carried out under the symbol and theme of Support for Children. He declared, "The highlight of our activities for these youth is the warm hug with which we embrace ILAN – one long embrace, which began when I first met the Chairman of ILAN, Mr. Ehud Razabi. We met in a business setting – he in the capacity of President of Lahav, and I as President of the Diamond Exchange; it didn't take long before we found ourselves discussing matters of ILAN – the apple of his eye. Quickly his enthusiasm positively affected and infected me, so we decided – right then and there – to join forces for this important and noble cause. The first activity we undertook, Mr. President, was attending the Nike sponsored race under the pennant and banner – The Israel Diamond Exchange Runs for ILAN. Staying a moment in the spirit of sportsmanship, this coming Tuesday we will hold an exceptional basketball game. The outstanding players of the Diamond Exchange basketball team will play seated in wheelchairs, playing with and competing against the outstanding basketball team of ILAN. Of course, we are dedicating all the proceeds to ILAN."
Diamond Exchange President, Yair Sahar, continued, "What's more - regarding the national fundraising for ILAN, to be held on Wednesday, we at the Diamond Exchange will hold an extensive fundraising operation. In addition to all this, I was asked to head the Commission on Higher Education at ILAN. There can be no doubt that it is of paramount importance to provide the right tools to open the world of academia to those with special needs. Since 2005 more than 200 scholarships have been awarded to handicapped students. Higher education is the key to success in life, becoming integrated in the workplace and in society as a whole. Therefore we, at the Israel Diamond Exchange, will endeavor to do our best to help ILAN develop and further the idea of assistance to students in need."

"Law student – Abraham Roash, 35 – suffers from cerebral palsy and studies law at Netanya Academic College", he related to the participants of the ceremony. "We believe that the human spirit can and will succeed in a case of mind over matter." He related that ILAN has constantly been helping Abraham Roash all along, citing his very first bed, then came a wheelchair outfitted to his size and adjustable to the rate at which he was growing, arranging his first computer and seeing to his needs for special camps which enable youth to get reinforced and strengthened during the summer break and thus return in the fall to their study routine with renewed vigor.

The ceremony was concluded with the words of the Present of the State of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres, who said, "Any help given a youth makes the world more just." He added, "The generosity, dedication and spirit of donating stem from the deep heritage of the Jewish people. I express my deep appreciation to you - Yair Sahar, Chairman of the Higher Education Committee at ILAN – for your ongoing contribution to the community in general and to ILAN in particular. This is a truly worthy cause."