A dedication ceremony at a Jerusalem center for severely physically disabled adults served as a poignant example of how one Toronto family is working to transform their personal tragedy into an opportunity to help others.
The Beit Finger Center, located in the heart of the city, was built and operated by Colel Chabad, Israel”s longest continuously-running charity in operation, to support adults living with serious physical conditions. The new wing of the Center, which will allow the facility to provide a range of support and additional individual housing services, was dedicated by Michael and Marsha Lax and family, in memory of their two sons, Jonathan and Eithan, who passed away just six months away from one another five years ago.

Marsha Lax addressed the ceremony saying, “From our several past visits to the Finger House, we quickly appreciated what a warm, loving, and technologically advanced place this is and we thank Hashem (G-d) for giving us the opportunity to able to name this wing after our two children, who both participated in many charitable projects throughout their lives. Michael and I wish much mazal (luck), hatzlacha (success), and bracha (blessing) to all the incredible people running this project in order to transition its residents to living in nearby apartments, allowing them to live independent, fulfilling lives, with pride and dignity.”
The philosophy of Beit Finger, and of the Colel Chabad Grabski Rehabilitation Center in Israel”s north, is to create an environment that allows residents to enjoy a level of independence despite their severe disabilities.
Kobi Vizel, who serves as the director for both homes and is a national expert in the treatment of people with severe mobility handicaps, explained, “Because of the skills that we provide in this center, our residents are able to go out into the community and thrive and our approach has become a model for occupational and physical therapists in other parts of the world, with the vision of giving more and more disabled people a sense of hope, confidence, and a more dignified standard of living.”

The facility, with the addition of the Jonathan and Eithan Lax Wing, features a state-of-the-art music therapy room, art room, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and cognitive therapy rooms the residents also receive specialized holistic and horticultural garden therapy. A dedicated “training apartment” with its own kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and laundry areas is on site and used by the therapists in teaching the residents skills needed for living in a more independent setting and navigating life outside of the building. All of the newly-constructed apartments feature a fully accessible kitchen, bathroom, living space and bedroom, with an additional bedroom for a caregiver, giving them the ability to thrive, not just survive.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion was also attendance for the ceremony and thanked Colel Chabad and the Lax family for the “heartwarming initiative.”
“One out of every 10 families in Israel includes a member of the family with a disability,” he said. “These individuals with special needs face many barriers and difficult choices, but this Center proves that they deserve to receive the services and attention they need.”
Also in attendance was Rabbi Shlomo Amar, who praised the initiative and put up a mezuzah on one of the new apartments, as well as Bituach Leumi Director Nurit Horowitz, who has worked closely with and has supported the work of Beit Finger since its opening.
Colel Chabad Director Rabbi Shalom Duchman said it was deeply fitting that the Lax family chose to memorialize their son”s with a project that will so significantly change the lives of the facility”s residents.
“By bearing the names of Jonathan and Eithan, this Wing will serve as a permanent example of the spirit of charity which defined them and the values of the Lax family,” Rabbi Duchman said. “Young men and women who will now call Beit Finger their home will have the opportunity for lives of independence and purpose in a facility that is both accessible and modern while staffed by a remarkable team of support professionals and therapists.”

Michael and Marsha Lax Courtesy of Colel Chabad