Painting Together

On March 11 2014, staff members of the Bank Hapoalim Rehavia branch showed up at the Kol Israel Haverim School for the Deaf in Jerusalem. Together with the students, they painted the school walls, as part of Israel "Good Deeds Day".

The project was initiated and organized by Orit Shulman, Director of Resource Development and Partnerships at Kol Israel Haverim. Good Deeds Day was launched by Shari Arison to promote social action and create positive change.

The students, who suffer from hearing impairment and other disabilities, eagerly awaited the arrival of the bank workers. They came wearing Good Deeds Day shirts, full of energy, good will and eagerness to contribute to the community, and were received with warmth and love. They spoke with the students, gave them gifts and learned from them how to say their names in sign language. .

Working together with the youngsters , the bank employees painted the walls of the area that will be used by the older children at recess. Everyone enjoyed the shared experience and the feeling of doing something useful and making a meaningful contribution to the community. "We came to give and greatly enjoyed the experience", says Keren Levy , director of the Bank Hapoalim Rehavia branch .

After painting, the group gathered in the office of Gila Tatar, the school principal. Mrs. Tatar told them about the school, and showed a video depicting the diverse school's activities . She also told them about Taha, a school graduate, who suffers from a syndrome that eventually causes blindness . Gila showed a short humorous pantomime video produced by Taha, and told the group about the new communication opportunities for the hearing impaired in Israel, made possible by the social networks.

The encounter was moving for all those present . "We thought we were coming to give, but we received a lot more", summarized one of the bank employees. Everyone looks forward to a continued connection and cooperation between the two institutions, for the benefit of the students .