Kalman Samuels

Background

However his mother requested that he stop in Israel to visit relatives.

Education

Kalman was raised in a nonobservant Jewish home in Vancouver, Canada where he attended Sir Winston Churchill High School.

Career

Upon his graduation in 1969 he was given academic and basketball scholarships to the University of British Columbia. After his first year studying philosophy he traveled Europe with plans to undergo coursework in France. Enamored with Jewish culture and heritage, he cancelled the trip to France and enrolled in several Yeshivot, and in 1977 he received his rabbinical ordination.

Due to their experiences raising Yossi, Malki and Kalman established an afternoon playgroup for children with special needs.

Over time, the program expanded to meet the needs of a broader spectrum of special needs, from birth through adulthood. Today SHALVA provides therapy, education, and recreation to hundreds of beneficiaries as well as family support, respite and advocacy initiatives.

The new SHALVA National Center will enable SHALVA to provide a broader range of services to an expanded population of beneficiaries.

Achievements

• 1994 – President of Israel Prize for Excellence 1999 – Mayor of Jerusalem"s Award for Exceptional Service 2004 – Shalem Foundation Award as "Israel"s Most Unique Program for the Mentally Challenged" 2005 – Knesset Speaker"s Quality of Life Prize for Leadership & Public Excellence 2006 – The Jerusalem Foundation Teddy Kollek Prize 2007 – Aminadav National Service Award for Excellence 2009 – Jerusalem"s Award of Distinction for National Service Volunteers 2010 – SHALEM Foundation Award 2012 – The Ministry of Education Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Membership

SHALVA provides therapy, vocational training, family support and advocacy for members of the special needs community.