Learning from Success in the Aleh Centers

A national study day to launch the book “There is No Such Thing as a Small Success” took place in Jerusalem on 7th June. This important event showcased our work on youth and young adults with severe disabilities.

In 2015, the Unit for Learning from Success at Myers-JDC-Brookdale carried out a project in conjunction with the Aleh organization. The goal of the project was to bring to light Aleh’s professional knowledge, much of which had been tacit and undocumented, and to develop a repertoire of actions and principles of action that have led to success. Using MJB’s unique Learning from Success (LFS) method, that is based on a systematic process of identification, inquiry, and documentation of successes, MJB helped the Aleh staff formulate a set of 16 principles of action to guide them in their work. The book describes their collaborative process and presents an analysis of ten case studies of successes in the treatment of youth and young adults with severe developmental and cognitive disabilities.

The book will help to crystallize the continuing learning process in Aleh and provide Aleh with a tool to enable its staff to continue to pursue excellence in their work. It will also serve as a basis for disseminating what has been learned to other organizations working with similar populations.

Almost 150 participants attended the study day in Jerusalem to launch the publication, including senior government officials, a wide range of professionals from the Aleh network and the broader professional community, families of children with disabilities, and more.

Among others, Member of Knesset, Ms. Shuli Mualem-Rafaeli, and Israel Prize Winner Major General (Reserve) Doron Almog addressed the study day.

      

Rabbi Yehuda Marmorstein, Director General of Aleh, commended the Institute for its groundbreaking work in helping Aleh learn important lessons from its own successes.  Ms. Michal Herzog, who is well acquainted with both Aleh and MJB, brought greetings on behalf of the Dorset Foundation, which established the Harry Weinrebe Fund. In her remarks, she addressed the importance of cooperative endeavors such as this project between the two organizations. Ms. Sarit Ellenbogen-Frankovits, director of MJB’s Learning from Success Unit, described the principles and method of learning from success and presented the sacred principles of action that emerged from the success stories.

              

There is No Such Thing as a Small Success” represents a valuable resource for the entire community of professionals working with people with special needs throughout Israel and beyond.

The Harry Weinrebe Fund supported the project and sponsored the study day and publication of the book.