Adi Altschuler's Social Activism and Inclusive Initiatives
Social activism often begins with a single spark of inspiration and a commitment to breaking down societal barriers. For Adi Altschuler, this journey started in her youth, leading to the creation of several landmark organizations in Israel. Her work focuses on inclusion—the practice of providing equal access and opportunities to all individuals, regardless of their physical, mental, or social standing.
Krembo Wings: Bridging the Gap for Youth
In 2002, at the age of 16, Altschuler joined "Lead," a leadership development program. Inspired by her relationship with Kfir, she established K’nafaim Shel Krembo (Krembo Wings). This organization stands as Israel's first and only youth movement designed specifically for children and teenagers both with and without special needs to work side-by-side.
The movement operates on a massive scale, with weekly meetings across 66 branches involving more than 5,700 children and youths nationwide. Altschuler served as the CEO and chairman until 2009, and later as president until her retirement from the role in 2014.
The impact of Krembo Wings has been recognized through prestigious accolades, including the "Presidential Award" presented by Shimon Peres in 2009 and the "Yigal Allon" Award in 2010. Furthermore, Altschuler was selected as one of twelve torch-lighters for the national celebration of Israel's 60th anniversary at Mount Herzl.
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Zikaron Basalon: Intimate Holocaust Commemoration
In 2010, Altschuler founded Zikaron Basalon (Memories@Home), a project that reimagines how the community commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day. Rather than relying solely on formal ceremonies, this initiative encourages private individuals to host independent meetings in their own living rooms.
These intimate gatherings allow participants to host Holocaust survivors and listen to their personal stories. This format fosters meaningful, open conversations that help participants reconnect with the memory of the Holocaust and reflect on their own roles in contemporary society.
By 2018, the project had expanded significantly, with over 750,000 people participating in events across more than 150 cities in Israel and 50 countries worldwide. A key achievement of Zikaron Basalon is making Holocaust memory accessible to traditionally excluded groups, including refugees, inmates, women in prostitution, youth at risk, the hearing impaired, and the mentally disabled.
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Inclu: Transforming the Education System
Expanding her vision of inclusion to the classroom, Altschuler co-founded Inclu in October 2017 alongside a team of parents, students, teachers, and educators. Inclu is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting inclusive education within Israel's public school system.
The organization aims to modernize the Israeli education system for the 21st century by advocating for personalized education—tailoring instruction to the individual needs of each student—and the use of differentiated teaching methods. In September 2018, this collaboration bore fruit when the Ministry of Education opened the first five inclusive schools in Israel in partnership with Inclu.
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Key Facts
- Krembo Wings: Israel's first youth movement for both special needs and non-special needs youth, serving over 5,700 members across 66 branches.
- Zikaron Basalon: A global initiative that reached 750,000 participants in 50 countries by 2018 through home-based Holocaust commemoration.
- Inclu: A nonprofit that helped the Ministry of Education launch the first five inclusive public schools in Israel in 2018.
- Recognition: Altschuler received the Presidential Award (2009) and the Yigal Allon Award (2010).
| Organization | Founded | Primary Focus | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Krembo Wings | 2002 | Youth Inclusion | 66 branches; 5,700+ participants |
| Zikaron Basalon | 2010 | Holocaust Memory | 750,000+ participants globally |
| Inclu | 2017 | Public Education | First 5 inclusive schools opened in 2018 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary goal of Krembo Wings?
Krembo Wings aims to create a space where youth with and without special needs can work together, fostering inclusion and mutual support through weekly meetings in branches across Israel.
How does Zikaron Basalon differ from traditional Holocaust memorials?
Unlike large-scale formal events, Zikaron Basalon focuses on intimate, independent gatherings in private homes, allowing for direct, personal conversations between survivors and community members.
Who can participate in Zikaron Basalon events?
The project is open to the general public and specifically strives to include marginalized groups such as refugees, the mentally disabled, the hearing impaired, inmates, and youth at risk.
What is the objective of the Inclu organization?
Inclu seeks to transform the Israeli public education system into an inclusive one by implementing personalized education and differentiated teaching methods to fit 21st-century needs.
What awards has Adi Altschuler received for her work?
She has received the Presidential Award from Shimon Peres in 2009 and the Yigal Allon Award in 2010, and she served as a torch-lighter for Israel's 60th anniversary.