Israel’s first lady Michal Herzog hosted children with disabilities at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Monday together with their families for a special pre-Purim celebration marking the 10th anniversary of Beit Issie Shapiro’s “Dream Costumes” initiative.
The initiative, launched in 2015, pairs children who need wheelchairs or walkers with designers from the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT) to craft unique costumes based on each child’s imagination. This year, designers from WIX also joined the project, helping create 31 personalized “dream costumes.”
“Beit Issie Shapiro creates a feeling that there are no limitations,” said Michal Herzog.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog made a surprise visit, engaging with the children and their families.
Among the 31 children who received costumes this year was Avital Grunberg, 14, who said: “Dream Costumes turns our mobility aids from an accessory we are not proud of to something we are very proud of.”
The event followed Beit Issie Shapiro’s annual Dream Costume Parade in Ra’anana, showcasing the children’s creative outfits.