Naomi Stuchiner (Shapiro)

Naomi Stuchiner

For over four decades, Naomi Stuchiner has devoted her life to societal and communal activities. Beit Issie Shapiro, which she founded and directed, serves as a model for the inclusion of people with disabilities in society. Stuchiner was born in South Africa. In 1970, after completing her studies in Social Work at the University of Johannesburg, she married Tuvia, an Israeli, and immigrated to Israel immediately becoming involved in social initiatives. She established a Community Unit in the Hatikva neighborhood for the Tel Aviv Municipality and was one of the founders of the Community Mental Health Unit in Raanana of the Shalvata Psychiatric Center.

In 1980, after the unexpected passing of her father, Issie Shapiro, ז"ל, Naomi and her family continued to realize her father’s dream to create a program in Israel for people with disabilities.

Her father’s credo was that "every person has the right to live in dignity within the community, and our society has a responsibility to give equal opportunities to people with disabilities”. Beit Issie Shapiro today is Israel’s leading non-profit organization furthering the rights, opportunities and services for people with disabilities, impacting on over half a million people annually. Offering an array of educational and therapeutical services for people with disabilities, in addition, Beit Issie Shapiro provides ongoing support to the families, continuing education in developmental disabilities for professionals in the field, self-advocacy leadership groups and an inclusive University project - to equalize opportunities for people with disabilities to benefit from higher education in an academic setting.

Beit Issie Shapiro’s expertise is in scaling up its impactful solutions thus promoting systemic change in the lives of people with disabilities in Israel and internationally. Beit Issie Shapiro also has Special Consultative Status with the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Stuchiner served as Executive Director of Beit Issie Shapiro from its establishment until 2006. She then founded the International Friends of Beit Issie Shapiro, which she headed until 2010. As a board member, Naomi is involved in creating new services and fundraising such as the recent establishment of the Emotional Well-being Institute at Beit Issie Shapiro, which she believes is a crucial aspect in the development of children and young adults with disabilities.

Over the years, Stuchiner and Beit Issie Shapiro have been awarded numerous awards and recognitions, including the Henrietta Szold Social Work Award, the Prime Minister's "Magen HaYeled" Award, the Shalem Foundation’s Volunteer Medal of Honor, the Minister of Health’s Shield for Outstanding Volunteers, the Midot "Most Effective Non-Profit" Award, the Wind Social Entrepreneurship Award and Honorary Fellowship from IDC Herzylia, The Rappaport Prize for Lifetime Achievement and Women Generating Change in Israeli Society, and in 2020, the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement and Special Contribution to Society.

Naomi and Tuvia have four children, twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She lives in Ra'anana and received the city's Notable Citizen Award.