With a $2 million gift from his family foundation, $2 million from the New York-based American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and $2 million from the Israeli government, the former lawyer and lobbyist has launched Israel Unlimited, a three-year partnership aimed at helping people with special needs in Israel. 'I want people with disabilities to be more integrated into society and to find a level of independence that is comfortable for them,' says Mr. Ruderman, a father of four who moved to Israel in 2005. 'Our foundation is working to make this a more significant issue as it affects the lives of more and more people.'
It was Mr. Ruderman's gift that unlocked the $6 million grant. The Joint Distribution Committee had conducted research on the nearly 700,000 people with special needs in Israel but needed additional funds to launch a formal program and get the government to partner with them.
If the partnership is successful, the Israeli government could adopt the programs permanently and expand them across the country, says Steve Schwager, CEO of the Joint Distribution Committee.
'Funding often happens in silos, without interaction,' says Mr. Ruderman. 'But there was no way we could do this ourselves. By partnering with the JDC and the government, instead of six million, it could turn into an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars.'
The partnership will create programs aimed at integrating people with disabilities into the community. Employment programs will help with job training and placement, as well as train business owners on small shifts they can make in their companies to accommodate disabled employees. Other initiatives include support and networking groups, and centers for independent living, run by and serving those with special needs.
After Mr. Ruderman's nephew was diagnosed with autism, he launched a project, called the Initiative for Day School Excellence, to make Boston's Jewish day-school system more accessible to children with special needs. Through this program, more than 500 special-needs children now attend about a dozen of Boston's Jewish day schools, where teachers and administrators are now trained to work with the children. Next month, the foundation will host an international conference in New York for donors interested in funding projects for people with special needs.
'We're trying to lead a movement,' Mr. Ruderman says. 'The Jewish community is worried about Jewish continuity but how will you have that if you leave out 20% of the population, who are people with disabilities?'" (source)
