Nestled in Israel’s northern Jezreel Valley is a unique village that is home to over a hundred special needs children, youth and adults and a staff of the same number. The green, spacious community in the town of Afula houses a school for children aged 6-21; arts and crafts workshops for adult residents; and a café-gallery open to the community. Residents live here with hearing and visual problems, behavioral disorders, Down Syndrome, autism and other compromised abilities; but they thrive with the education, care giving and myriad activities accessible to them in the village.

Daily life reflects the anthroposophic philosophy: Behind the curtain of each individual’s disabilities, lies a healthy personality that will emerge as a result of a warm, nurturing and creative environment.

Founded in 1969 by the late Devora Schick- a Holocaust survivor - in memory of her own handicapped son, Beit Uri is a not-for-profit association run by a Board of Trustees and funded primarily by the Israeli Ministries of Welfare and Education and in part by private donations.