I’m so excited to share a wonderful opportunity to share the love and gratitude you’re feeling as you gear up for your big day: giving to the One Heart Marriage Programme, run by Ohel Sarah, one of Israel’s largest providers of services for children and adults with disabilities.
Based on the basic premise that everyone should have the chance to find love — and that people with disabilities deserve access to the same opportunities as everyone else — Ohel Sarah started the One Heart programme in order to support high-functioning individuals with cognitive disabilities in marrying and establishing a home together.
One Heart helps engaged couples prepare for married life, teaching skills from money management to housekeeping to interpersonal communication and often helps fund their weddings, too. After marriage, the organization continues to provide guidance to couples as they navigate married life and supports them in living independently in the community, in an apartment of their own.
In the words of Maor, who prepared for marriage along with his now-wife Lilach through One Heart: “Lilach is lovely. She loves me and I love her. I’m very excited, very excited to be married. I’m very excited for my life with her.”
And from Maor’s mother, Orit: “When Maor was born, I was told he would not even be able to talk. But I never gave up. And I really never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would stand under the chuppah at his wedding. And I did. And it was the best day of my life.”
So far, six couples have married through the One Heart programme — and there’s a long waiting list of couples hoping to enroll. The programme’s success has inspired a similar Arab-Israeli organisation in Tamra to seek out Ohel Sarah’s professionals for guidance on how to advise couples with special needs as they navigate marriage.
But none of this can happen without the programme’s wonderful supporters. If you’re getting married — or celebrating a special anniversary — a donation to the One Heart Marriage Programme is a beautiful way to give back.
Whether you want to make a gift from the two of you, request donations from guests, or make a donation in honor of your guests in place of favours, a contribution to Ohel Sarah’s marriage programme will make an incredible difference to another couple’s life together. If you’re interested in making One Heart a part of your wedding, get in touch at info@ohel-sarah.org.uk.
