Last Updated on November 17, 2021
Activities and outings for Israel’s special needs community.
Hebrew: טיולים וסיורים לאנשים עם צרכים מיוחדים
Emek HaShalom
Have you ever thought about the difficulties of taking a child or a wheelchair bound friend for a walk in nature? Have you ever described a flower to someone who can’t see? How does one explain the sound of flowing water to the hearing impaired? Or how do you explain a change in seasons to the mentally challenged?
Emek HaShalom – just outside Yokneam (in Northern Israel – 30 minutes from Haifa) has wonderful trails and hikes specially designed for those with special needs. Under the auspices of LOTEM – a nonprofit organization which caters to the special needs community. Visits are arranged via schools, community centers and other organizations and associations.
Visitors to Emek HaShalom are always welcome. The gates remain unlocked and thousands of hikers stroll through the area every year. The all inclusive trail in Nachal HaShofet has been visited by more than five million people over the past five years. There are no entrance fees and it is a lovely spot to walk or picnic, especially if you have a baby carriage, wheelchair, cane or any other special needs.
- Social care services in Israel
- Volunteer – a great way for new olim to integrate
- Medical & healthcare resources
Getting there:
- On road 70 take the turn off to Yokneam HaMoshava.
- Drive straight for 1.3 Km until you see a “no-entrance” sign in front of you.
- Turn right. You will see Kibbutz HaZorea on your left side.
- Continue for 1km till you reach the Nachal HaShofet parking lot – on your left side.
- Leave your car there and walk along the stream, for about 2km in a circular trail.
LOTEM have also developed a number of wheelchair accessible tours in Jerusalem and its environs.
One of their popular tours is a tour of the Jewish Quarter which includes a visit to Mt. Zion, David’s Tomb, The Cardo, the City Walls and the Western Wall. The tour can also be combined with a visit to various museums and the Herodian Quarter.
For more information call 054-6512653
The Lotem Mitzvah Program
The Lotem Mitzvah Program encourages children of Bar/Bat Mitzvah age (12 and 13) to help children less fortunate than themselves enjoy the many wonders nature has to offer. For further information speak to the folks at Lotem.
Start using our travel resources and recommendations to plan your Israel outing or vacation.
