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25 June 2025
Doron Kalaf has worked with Beit Noam for more than 30 years. As Director of the Residential Program, he oversees five small apartments across Kiryat Ono, home to 25 adults with severe physical and cognitive disabilities. All use wheelchairs. All require full-time care. And none of the apartments, which are all old, rented, and unprotected, can shield them during emergencies.
So when the first missile sirens sounded in the early hours between Thursday and Friday, Doron acted immediately. He made the decision to evacuate every resident to Beit Noam’s day center, which was closed due to the war, but had one shelter large enough to house everyone.
He’s remained by their side ever since—recruiting emergency staff to provide round-the-clock care, including daytime support that doesn’t exist under normal circumstances. Some even slept on-site in difficult conditions.
“What we used to do in emergencies was just hold hands and pray,” Doron said. “This time, we had to do more. We couldn’t leave them unprotected.”
He made sure residents had everything they needed—not just physically, but emotionally. For people with intellectual disabilities, wartime can heighten anxiety and fear. Doron helped create moments of calm and routine: shared meals, music, and laughter.
His swift, courageous response transformed fear into safety and care for some of Israel’s most vulnerable residents.
How We Show Up
Beit Noam has served adults with severe disabilities for more than 40 years from its original center in a Tel Aviv suburb. When the war began, Federation connected with Beit Noam to help meet urgent needs and ensure uninterrupted care for their residents.
Our relationship with Beit Noam began long before this crisis, and it’s exactly what allowed them to respond when it mattered most. With trusted and long-standing relationships, strategic thinking, and community insight, we mobilize our partners to meet urgent needs and strengthen Jewish life—now and for what’s next.
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