Jewish Institute For The Blind

The Jerusalem Institute for the Blind (JIB) is a 120-year-old organization that has been dedicated to educating, enriching, and empowering children and young adults with blindness to lead independent, dignified, and meaningful lives. Founded in 1902, JIB has grown into a widely respected Jerusalem landmark, providing a comprehensive education and rehabilitation program for individuals from 6 to 21 years old. Our mission is to redefine blindness as a challenge that can be overcome, rather than a disability that defines one's potential.

Our Services

At JIB, we offer a range of services designed to educate, enrich, and empower our students. These services include:

Psycho-Social Services: Our psycho-social services address the student's psychological growth and interaction with their particular social environment.

Vocational School: Our vocational school provides students with vocational training and skills to prepare them for independence and employment.

Summer Camps: We offer a variety of summer camps during the summer break, including an innovative camp for older students.

Sports: Our Sports Center for the Blind in Jerusalem provides sports opportunities for the blind and sighted population alike, in full integration.

Connection: Our Connection program offers social rehabilitation and leisure activities in partnership with our school for the blind.

Beit Chinuch Ivrim: Our Beit Chinuch Ivrim program provides education and rehabilitation to youth and adults with blindness and special needs.

Education: We operate a school for visually impaired children in the center of Jerusalem, providing education and rehabilitation to youth and adults with blindness and special needs.

Impact

JIB's impact is measurable and transformative. Everyday, it is reflected in the confident and happy demeanor of our treasured students. Most children that enter our program are fearful, insecure, and totally dependent on others for their survival. They emerge confident, hopeful, and independent and ready to pursue meaningful occupations and become contributing members of their society.

Our History

JIB was founded in 1902 when a merchant walking on the streets of Jerusalem caught sight of a young child nearly trampled to death by camels. He soon discovered that the child was in fact blind, totally illiterate, and lacking even the most basic skills necessary to navigate life. Unable to put this potentially tragic incident out of his mind, he reached out to his prominent contacts, and soon after the first bricks of JIB were laid.

Our Vision

Our vision is to cultivate a world of acceptance and inclusivity in which all people with blindness can be equal and active members and participants. We believe that every child with blindness has the potential to achieve their full potential and become a contributing member of their community and society.

Our Legacy

JIB's legacy is one of transformation and empowerment. We have seen our students overcome the challenges of blindness and become independent, confident individuals. We have seen our students compete at the Paralympics and bring home medals. We have seen our students become contributing members of their communities and society.