Empowering Autistic Children & their families in Jerusalem

Support, Dignity, and Healing for Autism Families in Central Jerusalem

In Jerusalem today, countless families are quietly struggling. Families like mine—raising children with autism and complex needs—are stretched to the brink. My twin daughters, Tamar and Talia, are now 20 years old. They were born prematurely, diagnosed with autism and severe developmental delays, and today require full-time, round-the-clock care. They are nonverbal, fully dependent, and their needs are profound.

Caring for them, alongside my two toddlers and other mentally & physically healthy children, is both a labor of love and a daily emotional and physical challenge.

I’m not alone. Across Israel, parents like me are choosing to keep our children at home—not because it’s easy, but because it’s the only way we can be sure they’re surrounded by love, dignity, and understanding and being treated like gold.

But love alone isn’t enough. We need help. Reliable, flexible, affordable help. Not just for a few hours, but at times for a full day or two—so we can breathe, regain strength, and be there for all of our children, including the typical siblings who also need us.

That’s why I started “Shutafim Ba’Lev — Partners in Heart".

A Sanctuary for Children &
A Lifeline for Families with Autistic Children.

Creating safe, nurturing spaces for children with autism in the heart of Jerusalem

In Jerusalem, we are blessed with many extraordinary organizations that support children with special needs. Their dedication is admirable and essential. But for families whose children are outside the formal special needs system—without official recognition or government placement—access to care is painfully limited.

Most larger institutions are at capacity, and when support is available, it’s often restricted to just one or two days a month. That’s simply not enough. These families are doing their best, but they’re often stuck in survival mode—rushing from one obligation to the next, exhausted and overwhelmed.

We believe every child—regardless of their status in the system—deserves dignity, care, and a place where they belong. And every family deserves more than stress and chaos. They deserve to feel like they’re truly living, not just racing through the fast lane of crisis and caregiving.

That’s why we’re building something different.

A network of dedicated rental apartments, designed as warm, welcoming havens for children with autism. These homes will offer short-term, overnight, and weekend care—staffed by experienced, loving professionals who understand each child’s unique needs and provide compassionate, individualized support.

But this is more than respite. It’s a full-circle support model for families in need.

We will:

• Provide safe, reliable transportation to and from our care homes

• Hire experienced caregivers who know how to reach and support each child

• Equip children with communication tools, like iPads for nonverbal expression

• Offer nutritious meals and safe, cozy accommodations that feel like home

• Create therapy spaces—sensory rooms, music and art therapy, and calming quiet zones

• Supply specialized equipment for physical, occupational, and recreational therapies

• Support families emotionally, with counseling and social programs for siblings

• Design healing environments where children can thrive and families can breathe

As we grow, so does our ability to reach more families—stepping in where traditional systems fall short, and building a new kind of care where dignity, peace, and everyday joy are finally possible.

Because every child deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated—no matter their diagnosis or place in the system.

And every family deserves the chance to breathe, to feel supported, and to experience life beyond survival mode.

If this mission moves you—we invite you to be part of it.

Your support—whether through a donation, volunteering your time, or simply sharing our vision—helps create loving spaces, therapeutic care, and lasting relief for families who need it most.

Together, we can offer not just care, but hope. Not just help, but healing.

With heartfelt thanks and hope for what we’ll build—side by side.

Mina Josselsohn
Founder - “Shutafim Ba’Lev — Partners in Heart".