Hamifal – Educational Children’s Homes was initiated and established in 1943 in Jerusalem, by the late Mrs. Recha Frier, also founder of Aliyat Hano’ar and winner of “Israel Prize” in 1980

Within a few years, with the support of the late cherished educator, Mr. David Apel, from Maoz Chaim), began the placement of individual children between the ages of 6-12 in Kibbutzim whose educational systems were capable of absorbing children from outside. Thus, more and more of Hamifal’s children could find in there a secure place for themselves. The placement method in the form of Fostering Families within Kibbutzim and towns stands up till today as one of the chosen educational frameworks of Hamifal

The restriction of the number of children that could be sent and absorbed by Kibbutzim was finally removed in 1973, with the declaration of the late Minister of Education and Culture, Mr. Yigal Alon. He considered Hamifal‘s Homes a major project for needy children who had to be educated outside their homes and the more or less sufficient funding helped Hamifal enlarge the number of its frameworks and establish a network of Children’s Homes

One of Hamifal’s major concerns, at the time, was to find alternative solutions for the absorption of those children who did not fit the criteria set by Kibbutzim for absorption. Facing its new goals, Hamifal wanted to establish new frameworks that will answer the changing needs of a new Israeli society. Thus were formed Children’s Homes made of several autonomous family units. In essence, the children were accommodated in old schools and deserted housings, renovated and fit to serve as a “Children’s Home” based on the “Educational Family Model”. According to the model, ten different children of various ages are placed together with a couple, similar to a model of a biological family, accompanied by an educational-therapeutic and rehabilitating team, including a social worker, psychologist, art therapist, special education teacher, etc

Today, there are a few Children’s Homes of Hamifal who operate a day center for children of the local community who stay at the premises until evening hours

At present, Hamifal, headed by Mr. Yosi Goshen, educates and rehabilitates around 900 children, Israeli born and new immigrants from the former USSR, Ethiopia and South America, aged 5-18. The network includes 9 secular and religious Children’s Homes and Villages, 6 Family Group Homes 3 After School Day care Centers and 1 Home for Homeless soldiers