Israel's 'Perach' Network Opens School Year With 15,000 Students, 24 New Facilities

The 'Perach Israel' network commenced the new academic year across more than 30 municipalities nationwide, serving over 15,000 students. This year's opening is marked by the establishment of 24 new educational facilities and the expansion into additional communities. The network now employs over 5,000 educators, therapists, and para-medical staff, making this opening one of the largest special education events in Israel.

Perach Israel CEO Rabbi Moshe Stein chose Sderot to mark the occasion. The network's communication daycare facilities in the city have been relocated to a new, larger, and fully protected building. Rabbi Stein and Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi inaugurated the new facility by affixing a mezuzah.

New facilities have also opened in various locations, including a new communication school in Tiberias, five communication kindergartens and a rehabilitation kindergarten in Rosh HaAyin, three new communication kindergartens each in Ariel and Ra'anana, and two in Karnei Shomron. Additional kindergartens opened in Givat Ze'ev, Yehud, and Be'er Yaakov.

The network's reach has extended to new municipalities, with the opening of rehabilitation daycare centers in Ofakim and Givat Shmuel. Another facility is slated to open soon in Kfar HaOranim, in the Binyamin region. Existing facilities in Elad, Harish, Lod, and Sderot have moved to larger, improved premises.

A significant achievement this year is the network's staffing. Following an intensive recruitment drive, Perach Israel begins the year with over 5,000 education, therapy, and para-medical professionals, meeting staffing needs across all its facilities. This is particularly noteworthy given the ongoing shortage of professionals in Israel's special education system.