The inspiring story of Malki and Kalman Samuels and their journey in establishing Shalva
The Dangoor Centre is pleased to announce the addition of a new book to the Dangoor Center’s Arabic Translations Library: Dreams Never Dreamed: A Mother’s Promise That Transformed Her Son’s Breakthrough into a Beacon of Hope. Authored by Rabbi Kalman Samuels this inspiring work tells the story of Malki and Kalman Samuels and their remarkable journey in founding Shalva– an organization based in Jerusalem that has become a global leader in the field of disability care. Today Shalva serves as an official consultant to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, reflecting its far-reaching impact and international recognition.
Ordinary people can create extraordinary change by transforming life’s challenges into opportunities.
“One of its primary massages” explains Samuels, in an interview to the Jewish Press, “is that ordinary people can create extraordinary change by transforming life’s challenges into opportunities. No matter their life circumstances, people are forced to contend with challenges. These unexpected detours can often become opportunities for personal growth and even for improving the lives of others.”
Yossi and Kalman Samuels speaking with then-President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush at the White House. Creator: Shealah Craighead | Credit: White House Photo Office
With the support of the Dangoor Centre, the book was recently been translated to Arabic by The Connecting Hamza, an association founded and directed by Michal Reznic, who initiated the connection between the Dangoor Center and the author. “From the moment I first encountered this story, I knew it had to reach the Arabic-speaking world,” says Reznic. She adds, “Translating this book into Arabic was a journey filled with obstacles, difficulties, and moments of deep frustration. The challenges were not just linguistic; they also involved finding skilled translators and proofreaders who were not only proficient but deeply committed to capturing the essence of this story. Time and again, I faced setbacks—inconsistencies in team involvement, translators, and editors who struggled with the text’s nuances. Yet, despite these challenges, I persisted, thinking that if Malki and Kalman overcame so much hardship and pursued their vision, I should do the same.”
Malki and Kalman Samuels founded Shalva after their son, Yossi, was injured in infancy resulting in blindness, deafness, and acute hyperactive. Following Yossi’s remarkable breakthrough to communication, they established Shalva in 1990 to provide comprehensive care and support for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Today Shalva stands as a beacon of hope, empowering thousands of children with disabilities each week to reach their fullest potential and live with dignity and purpose
In Dreams Never Dreamed, Kalman shares the extraordinary journey of how Yossi learned to communicate via sign language in his palm and to speak- a turning point that inspired the creation of Shalva. “What began as a response to personal tragedy grew into a twelve–story,” asserts Kalman, pointing at the state-of-the-art center spanning five acres in the heart of Jerusalem. “Today, he concludes Shalva stands as a beacon of hope, empowering thousands of children with disabilities each day to reach their fullest potential and live with dignity and purpose.”
Ultimately, this book is more than just an inspiring narrative of overcoming adversity—it is a call to action. It reminds us that barriers can be broken, that inclusivity is not merely a concept but a responsibility, and that behind every challenge lies the potential for transformation.
