History
In 1991, Israel’s Ministry of Social Welfare and the City of Tel Aviv sought an alternative model of caring for its population with disabilities. Driven by a desire to move away from institutional care models for people with disabilities, they reviewed the operations of several agencies worldwide. They chose to adopt the innovative methodologies of Chimes of Baltimore, MD, which helps people with disabilities gain as much independence as possible and reach their maximum potential.
After an agreement was set, the Israeli agencies worked closely with Chimes president Terry Perl to build an Israeli organization based on the US model. In 1991, Chimes Israel officially registered as a not-for-profit organization (Amuta/NGO) and Dr. Alan (Asher) Manheim became the first director of Chimes Israel.
Mission
With the goal of helping people with disabilities use their own abilities and skills to lead a life of dignity, independence and community participation, the organization’s mission is to do all we can to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities from every community, every day. We do this through providing cutting edge professional services delivered by a well-trained and supervised, caring staff.
Vision
Our vision is to be an acknowledged force for society and the world to be inclusive of all the people we serve. We also envision ourselves as the leader in developing innovative and effective programs for people with disabilities.
Mandate
The Chimes Israel mandate is to improve the lives of people with disabilities with no distinction made based upon race, religion, or ethnicity.
אנחנו במספרים
Chimes Israel Today
Chimes Israel remains committed to providing the foremost services using the latest approaches. The clients, ages six months to the elderly, have intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism. Many have secondary barriers to independent living including physical and behavioral health issues.
Chimes has 26 different centers and programs that serve more than 1,400 people. The organization, led by CEO Jorge Zimmermann has a staff of 650 professionals and hundreds of volunteers.
It delivers services in cooperation with Israel’s government ministries (health, education and labor, social affairs, and social services), local authorities, and other caregivers in the community. Most of Chimes Israel’s services are located in Israel’s central and Sharon areas with some in the south in Ashkelon and in the east in Modiin.
Programs and Services
Children
Chimes is Israel’s pioneer and innovator in the area of comprehensive early childhood rehabilitation for children ages six months to three years with developmental delays, autism, genetic diseases, and syndromes. We were the first in Israel to offer families of children with disabilities everything they needed under one roof: diagnoses, therapy, daycare, education, and family counseling. The services are supervised and determined by Ministry of Education and comply with Israel’s Rehabilitation Day Care Centers Law.
Chimes maintains nine early childhood treatment and rehabilitative daycare centers for preschool and kindergarten children, and six recreational, social, and therapeutic afterschool programs for children and young adults. For the early childhood center, diagnosis, treatment, and intensive supervision help monitor each child’s development, and promote personal achievement in cognitive, motor, and emotional areas. The afterschool clubs provide leisure and care for the children, and serve as a relief framework for working families.
Adults
Chimes provides services that help adults with intellectual and mental disabilities find and maintain employment. Our series of services in the field of employment are adapted to different functional levels and abilities as well as employment choices. The network of employment services provides services to about 750 recipients and includes personalized programs adapted to the participants’ evolving needs.
Chimes Israel operates three nursing daycare centers for adults with disabilities, where about 120 service recipients receive ever-changing services. The centers provide paramedical treatments and therapies, which promote daily independence, personal choice, expression, and community integration.
Chimes Israel runs three “supportive environment” programs to support and monitor about 50 individuals with disabilities, living in the community alone or with a spouse or parent. The program provides a supportive social network for people with disabilities who choose to live in the community. Chimes Israel is involved in the Ministry of Welfare’s pilot program to provide supportive environment services to families raising a child with disabilities. Chimes Israel runs two social clubs for people with intellectual disabilities and mental illness that offer leisure and enrichment activities for an increased sense of belonging, social connection, and enjoyment.
Organizational Framework
Working with over 14 different local authorities across Israel, Chimes’ professional programs are supported and licensed by the Israeli ministries of social affairs, health, and education. Buildings, equipment and special programs are predominantly funded by Israel’s National Insurance Institute and the Shalem Foundation. Chimes receives additional support from various public and private foundations, agencies and individual donors.
Honors & Accreditations
Chimes Israel and the city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa’s “Supportive Community” and “Employment to Your Doorstep” programs received the Keren Shalem Excellence Award. Our Amal afterschool program for youth with disabilities in Holon was the first in Israel selected to join the “International Award for Young People.”
Chimes Israel is accredited by Midot, which grants accreditation to organizations demonstrating sound program management and effective use of resources. Chimes Israel was the first Israeli non-profit to achieve ISO 9001 quality standard accreditation, certifying organizational process management excellence and efficiency.
Chimes Israel Senior Management Team

Jorge Zimmermann, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Jorge Zimmermann has served as the CEO of the Chimes Israel Association since 2000. George has been engaged in providing special needs services, family counseling and staff management for over 30 years. He holds a BA in special education and theater, an MA in educational counseling, an MBA. He also has a teaching certificate.

Mike Salem
Vice President, Deputy Executive Director and Director of Administration
Mike Salem is one of the founding members of Chimes Israel. Since the organization’s establishment in 1991, Mike has served as its VP and administrative director, overseeing the provision of services to people with special needs and managing its professional staff. Mike has a BA in psychology.
Shirley Trousil Frenkel, MA
Vice President and Program Director
Shirley Frenkel has been providing services to people with disabilities and their families since 2013. This includes positions as Chimes Israel’s director of early childhood and after school programs. She holds a BA and MA in social work, group facilitation, and parental guidance.
Shay Benjamin, CPA & MBA
Finance Director
Shay Benjamin has been in accounting and finance positions since 2010, starting his career at the accounting firm Ernst & Young. In 2017, he was the CFO of Chimes Israel. Shay holds a BA in economics and accounting and an MBA.
Oral Galula Lapid, Adv. MBA
Department Director ‒ Resource Development, Marketing, and Volunteering (MBA, LL.B.)
Oral Galula Lapid manages the organization’s PR and marketing efforts and leads a team of national and international fundraising professionals who initiate projects tailored to the donor’s interests in accordance with the organization’s needs. She is the former CEO of the Philanthropy Educator and resource development manager for the Third Sector. She is the former Legal Department Director of Access Israel, the first non-profit in Israel with the chief mission of promoting accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities and the elderly. As the first person to complete the full IDF Officer track in a wheelchair..
Tamar Elipaz, MBA
Director of the Human Resources Department
Tamar Elipaz has over 15 years of management and HR experience. She has deep expertise in recruitment, training, and employee welfare in large private companies. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in political science and a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and Organizational Consulting. She joined the human resources field at Chimes Israel in 2016 and has been serving as the director since 2022.
Lilach Shushan
Assistant to the CEO and Executive Secretary
Lilach Shushan has extensive experience in managing senior executive offices, coordinating headquarters activities, and providing services to internal and external stakeholders. She is a graduate of bookkeeping college and Ultima College with a concentration in interior design and architecture.
Board Members
Ms. Shulamit Gildner- Chairperson
Dr. Avi Ramot - Vice Chairperson
Mr. Rony Steinitz
Dr. Gilada Avisar
Mr. Roni Tal
Mr. Terry Allen Perl
Dr. Meir Hovav
Mr. Ronen Tzadok
Mr. Yehiel Narkis
Mr. Marty Lampner
Dr. Gila Vogel
חברי וועד מנהל
Ms. Shulamit Gildner- Chairperson
Dr. Avi Ramot - Vice Chairperson
Mr. Rony Steinitz
Dr. Gilada Avisar
Mr. Roni Tal
Mr. Terry Allen Perl
Dr. Meir Hovav
Mr. Ronen Tzadok
Mr. Yehiel Narkis
Mr. Marty Lampner
Dr. Gila Vogel
Internal Audit Committee:
Mr. Shlomo Zohar
Mr. Yuval Rishpi - CPA
Mr. Shlomo Zohar
Mr. Yuval Rishpi - CPA
Department Managers
Havazelet Amrani
Director of Adult Rehabilitation and Employment Programs
Michal Yabo
Director of Rehabilitative Early Childhood Services
Marketing and Resource Development
Ofra Mor
Israel Resources Director
Ofra Mor has led Chimes Israel’s domestic fundraising efforts since 2015. She works with major Israel-based international companies and local foundations to fund essential programs and build new centers. She has 30 years of experience in resource development, public relations, and journalism. She is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Pamela Azaria, MA
International Resources Director
Pamela Azaria brings over 30 years of expertise in business development, fundraising, and marketing communications. She builds meaningful relationships with global donors, including Jewish Federations, ministries, and foundations, aligning their philanthropic interests with the specific program needs. Her work primarily focuses on securing resources for programs essential for the well-being of individuals with disabilities.
Hanan Evyasaf, BBA
Digital Marketing Lead
Hanan Evyasaf specializes in marketing with extensive experience in brand development, licensing, and digital community management. Hanan comes from the business sector and has a background in developing winning strategies for leading brands. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in marketing.
Maayan Maor Amon, MA
Volunteer Engagement Lead
Maayan Maor is a leader in transformative change in the non-profit volunteer sector. Using a unique win-win approach, she forges impactful connections that empower volunteers while addressing the real needs of people with disabilities. She joined Chimes in 2015, and has over 15 years of experience in this arena. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in communications and a Master’s degree in political communication.