Yad Melatefet · for children with special needs

Who will hold him,
when I am no longer here?

This is the question every parent of a child with special needs falls asleep with. We cannot promise parents they will always be here — but we can give the child tools that stay with him afterwards. That is all we do.

Who we are

We are Yad Melatefet — "A Caressing Hand"

We believe every child — even one who is different — deserves an equal chance. So we built a safe, supportive, love-filled space for children with special needs and their families.

Yad Melatefet was founded to embrace.
To embrace the child — with all their complexity.
To embrace the parent — with all their fears.
And to embrace the journey — even when it is hard.

We are here to say: you are not alone. With us, families find community, warmth and an open heart — support groups, enriching activities, and emotional guidance that turn difference into strength.

A mother's hands gently cradling a child's small hands
A caressing hand also knows how to hold on tight
Year-End Campaign

This is what the answer looks like.

Twenty seconds, without a single spoken word. This is exactly what your donation does: not just hug a child — teach him to tie the lace himself, until he walks through the gate on his own.

What we actually do

Our programs, all year round

Comprehensive support, tailored to each child's unique journey.

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Emotional workshops & support groups

A safe space where children learn to recognize feelings, self-regulate and believe in themselves.

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Social-skills activities

Play, creativity and movement that teach friendship, sharing and succeeding together.

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Parent groups & emotional guidance

Because those who hold others need holding too. Guidance, knowledge and community for parents.

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Educational innovation

A unique Hebrew educational platform for children on the autism spectrum — life tools at eye level.

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Equipment & material support

Equipment, games and practical help for families who need a shoulder.

A boy with headphones smiling at a tablet in warm lamplight
Our flagship: learning that feels like a hug
Innovation with heart

Our educational platform

Three Hebrew-language apps, built with love for children on the autism spectrum — delivering the life tools our film speaks about, every single day.

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Friends Together

Practicing social interactions, recognizing emotions and understanding social situations — through stories and games.

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Reading & Writing

Learning Hebrew literacy at the child's own pace: letters, syllables, words and small victories.

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Everyday Life

Step-by-step routines — brushing teeth, getting dressed, calming tools — toward real independence.

By donating, volunteering or simply spreading the word — anyone can caress the world.
Let's create a better future
Full transparency

Your money — fully accounted for

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Registered Israeli NGO

Registered nonprofit (Amuta) 580812717, reporting to the Israeli Registrar of Nonprofits as required.

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Public GuideStar profile

All official records are public on GuideStar Israel.

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Official receipt for every donation

Every donor receives an official receipt from the organization, for any amount.

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Open reports for donors

Protocols, budget and activity reports — available to any donor upon request.

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Something we say out loud rather than bury in a footnote: we are a young organization and we do not yet hold Section 46 tax-credit recognition (we are in the process). That means your donation is not yet tax-deductible in Israel. Everyone who gives to us today does it without getting a single shekel back from the state — only because they believe in these children. Those are the donors who build an organization. An official receipt is issued for every donation, and we will update this page the moment recognition is received.