New Learning Center for Special Needs Children

The new meticulously designed Ben and Esther Dayson Outdoor Learning Center and playground at the Ilanot School in Jerusalem was inaugurated in the presence of the late couple’s daughter, Shirley Barnett, who travelled to Israel especially for the event. On-site, waiting to meet her in the colourful playground, was school principal Yuval Tsurand a host of KKL-JNF officials including former KKL-JNF Fundraising Director Ze’ev Kedem, KKL- JNF Central Region Deputy Director Yechiel Cohen, KKL-JNF Chief of Protocol Andy Michelson and Sharon Geva of KKL-JNF’s Canadian Desk.

The Ilanot School for Special Education in Jerusalem serves the needs of children with severe motor and cognitive impairment, including many with cerebral palsy. There are some 80 pupils enrolled at the school from across Israel’s multi-cultural population, including Jews, Muslims and Christians.

Former KKL-JNF Fundraising Director Ze’ev Kedem called on Shirley Barnett, together with KKL-JNF Emissary to Vancouver Ilan Pilo, to unveil an enormous plaque honouring her parents Ben and Esther Dayson. The plaque also included the names of the other project donors from her community in Vancouver, Canada.

Ze’ev Kedem described how Ben and Esther Dayson passed on the value of tireless commitment to Israel and the Jewish community to their daughter, Shirley.
“The contributions of Ben and Esther to their community and to Israel are too numerous to mention, but one of their biggest achievements was that they passed on their passion to help people to their daughter Shirley. At the age of 12, Shirley knew that she wanted to be a social worker, and that is where she directed her energy and her life. Today she sits on the boards of many institutions and organizations that work towards improving the lives of the needy. We thank God that you have a big heart and the means and ability to help other people.”

Conductor and music teacher David Nebenzahl and the school choir performed a poignant song “I Always Dream”, which began with the lines:
My God I always dreamed that there is a reason to be happy,
Even though it is sometimes difficult, I hope You will give me strength. 

Ilanot School Principal Yuval Tsur said that the garden they were opening began as a dream. “It was a dream of Aryeh Ezra, of blessed memory, who was a pupil at this school. Many years ago, Aryeh told our school psychologist Nurit that he dreamt of a park in which he could do things like normal kids. One thing led to the next and with the help of many goodhearted people, especially at KKL-JNF, we were able to make Aryeh’s dream come true. Today the laughter and banter of happy children in this outdoor facility is witness to the success and love of all those people. Aryeh passed away at the age of 23 and left us with his dream, which has become real for the benefit of his friends and everyone at the school. Thank you, Shirley, for adopting this schoolyard and doing so much for us.”

Iris Ezra, the mother of Aryeh, thanked one and all for coming and remembering her son. “I am so moved I have no words. When I see children playing in this garden I feel that Aryeh’s memory lives on. Thank you all for helping make Aryeh’s dream come true.”

With a big smile on her face, well-known Israeli architect Arielle Blonder, who designed the playground revealed how the project began several years ago.
“It all started for me as a volunteer project. In 2011 my mother, who has worked at this school for many, many years, told me of the idea to create the garden and I offered to take it on. I teamed up with architect Tali Cohen Anderson who specializes in design for people with special needs. The project grew quickly and we all realized that it was too big to implement without a real cash inflow.”

KKL-JNF Deputy Head of the Central Region Yechiel Cohen continued with the saga from his perspective. “I know a mother of one of the children at this school and heard about their dream to build a special park for physically challenged children. As a veteran employee of KKL-JNF, I realized that I may be able to help them. That is exactly what our organization does. We set the request in motion and the result is this beautiful and special facility.”

Co-designer Tali Cohen-Anderson explained why the design process took so long. “Because of the special user needs, we could not use any off-the-shelf products. We had to design and test every single piece of equipment and application. We had to bring children from the school to the construction workshop to test the full-size models we built. This whole process was not new to me. When my eldest daughter was born with a syndrome that left her physically disabled, I realized that I had the power as a designer and planner of living spaces to make changes that would make all of our lives easier.”

KKL-JNF Master of Ceremonies Andy Michelson warmly thanked Shirley Barnet for all that she did to make the park come true. “This undertaking has a profound effect on the lives of the people who are here. On behalf of KKL-JNF, I want to thank you for your generosity and the generosity of your partners in Vancouver. I am sure that from what you have seen here today you will be returning home with the feeling that it is certainly a very worthwhile undertaking and investment in Israel.”

KKL-JNF emissary in Vancouver Canada Ilan Pilo, who has been involved in the Canadian side of the project since its inception, said that without Shirley Barnett’s dedication, determination, and persistence, this project would not have moved forward. “Shirley’s parents, Ben and Esther Dayson of blessed memory, were huge supporters of JNF Canada during their lifetimes. They were both honoured at our 1990 Gala Negev Dinner, and we honoured Ben again in 2007 on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Ben and Esther’s philanthropic spirit has been passed on to their daughter, Shirley, whom we had the privilege of honouring at our record-breaking 2016 Negev Dinner.”

Speaking from his wheelchair and on behalf of the pupils at Ilanot School, 18-year old Daniel Schwartz thanked Shirley Barnett for all she had done for them. His English teacher, Adina Nir, assisted him. “Good afternoon special guests and welcome to Israel. On behalf of Ilanot, we would like to thank you for this generous donation that allowed us to build the playground. I really like living in Ilanot. I would like to give you this painting as a present. I painted it in art class.” 
He then presented his gift-wrapped painting to Shirley.

Shirley, who was visibly touched, warmly thanked Daniel for his affectionate gesture. She said it was not by chance that she became involved in the project, and that she grew up with the notion of helping Israel, especially through KKL-JNF.
“My parents came to Canada from Russia in early 1900’s. They made many trips to Israel and often took me along. They were great supporters of projects carried out by the local Jewish community and those of KKL-JNF in Israel. Playground building was one of their favourite activities. They have two playgrounds in Vancouver, one in Maccabim and now this one.”

The ceremony ended when Andy Michelson and Sharon Geva, Head of KKL Canada Desk, presented Shirley with a KKL-JNF certificate with the inscription: “Presented to Shirley Barnett on the occasion of the Dedication of the Ben and Esther Dayson Outdoor Learning Center at the Ilanot School, Jerusalem” and a book of photographs of Jerusalem.