Kalman Samuels was raised in Vancouver, Canada.  In 1970, during college, he visited Israel for two weeks.  Enamored with Jewish culture and heritage, he stayed and pursued rabbinical studies.

He married Malki Klein and the couple took up residence in Jerusalem. In 1977, their second son, Yossi, was injured at the age of 11 months, by a faulty vaccination and was rendered blind, deaf and acutely hyperactive.  After 7 years with no communication, Yossi experienced a breakthrough, learning to communicate via sign language in the palm of his hand and later speech.

Remembering their desperate prayer from years before that if G-d would help Yossi, they would dedicate themselves to helping others, Kalman and Malki established Shalva, the Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.  What began as a small program in a rented apartment has developed into round-the-clock programs for 2,000 individuals at the Shalva National Center.  Built on seven acres of land granted by the municipality in the heart of Jerusalem, the center is a beacon of inclusion and an international leader in innovative program research and development.

Kalman has dedicated the last 28 years to making a better Israel. The disability services, family empowerment and inclusion-advocacy that he has spearheaded have created an everlasting impact on Israel’s social services structure and beyond.

In 1983 Kalman Samuels made Aliyah from Vancouver.