1989
The well-being of children is among the most fundamental responsibilities of any society. Children rely on the adults around them for protection, stability, and care, and in most cases families provide the nurturing environment they need in order to grow and thrive. Yet there are times when circumstances within a child’s home become unsafe. When abuse, neglect, or severe family crises place a child in danger, intervention becomes essential. In such moments children must be removed from their homes and given a place where they can recover, regain a sense of security, and begin the process of healing. For many years in Jerusalem, Beit Sherman fulfilled precisely this role. The home served as a temporary refuge for young children who could not remain with their families, offering them safety, care, and support as they prepared for the next stage of their lives.
Located in the Gilo Gimel neighborhood (Kiryat Jack D. Weiler), the home was originally known as Beit Bruri’a. It was established as a transitional residence for young children who had been removed from their homes by social services due to abuse, neglect, or other severe circumstances. The facility was operated by the Home for Every Child Association, an organization dedicated to protecting vulnerable children and providing therapeutic care.
From its earliest days the goal of the home was not simply to provide shelter, but to create a structured and nurturing environment that could stabilize children during an extremely difficult moment in their lives. Many of the children who arrived at Beit Bruri’a had experienced trauma or instability within their families. The home therefore provided around-the-clock care in an environment designed to restore a sense of normalcy and trust. Professional counselors and caregivers worked closely with the children, offering emotional support and guidance while helping them rebuild confidence and resilience. A house mother oversaw daily life in the home, ensuring that the children experienced a consistent routine and the warmth of attentive care.
Therapeutic support formed a central component of the home’s approach. Children received psychological care as well as occupational therapy tailored to their individual needs. These services helped children process difficult experiences while also supporting their emotional and developmental growth. The goal was always to prepare the children for a stable long-term future, whether through reunification with their biological families when possible or through placement with adoptive families able to provide permanent homes.
The Jerusalem Foundation played an important role in strengthening the home and expanding the opportunities available to the children who lived there. Beginning in 1989 the Foundation supported a range of activities that enriched the children’s daily lives, including cultural outings throughout the city, arts and crafts programs, and individual tutoring that helped ensure their educational progress during a turbulent period. Thanks to the Archie Sherman Charitable Trust, the Foundation also supported the purchase of the building and renovations that improved the facility itself. As a result, in 1997 the home was rededicated as Beit Sherman, marking a new chapter in its history while continuing its core mission of protecting and nurturing vulnerable children. In the years following, the Foundation has supported additional renovations and activities, including a summer camp program.
For more than three decades Beit Sherman served some of the most vulnerable children in Jerusalem, offering them stability during moments of profound uncertainty. In 2021 the difficult decision was made to close the facility. Yet the broader work continues. The Home for Every Child Association still operates another transitional home in Jerusalem’s Baka neighborhood, carrying forward the same commitment to protecting children in crisis. The legacy of Beit Sherman lives on in the many young lives it helped stabilize and in the enduring belief that every child deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to begin again.
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