Naomi is the Founder of Beit Issie Shapiro, Israel’s leading organization advancing the rights, opportunities, and quality of life for people with disabilities. Following the passing of her father, Issie Shapiro, in 1980, Naomi founded Beit Issie Shapiro in Ra’anana to fulfill his vision that “every person has the right to live in dignity and with equal opportunities within the community.” Under her visionary leadership, Beit Issie Shapiro became a global model of innovation and inclusion, impacting over half a million people annually and influencing policy and practice both in Israel and around the world.
Born in South Africa, Naomi earned her degree in Community Social Work from the University of the Witwatersrand. After marrying Tuvia Stuchiner, an Israeli, she made Aliyah and began her career establishing the Tel Aviv Municipality’s Community Unit in the Hatikva neighborhood. She also co-founded Israel’s first Community Mental Health Unit in Ra’anana at the Shalvata Mental Health Center.
Naomi is the recipient of the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement (2020) and is recognized as one of Israel’s most influential social entrepreneurs in the field of disability.
Naomi Stuchiner has been a pioneering force in Israel’s social sector for over four decades, transforming the landscape of disability rights, inclusion, and community development. Throughout her career, she has led groundbreaking programs in early intervention, inclusive education, and therapy innovation, alongside advocacy for systemic policy change.
Naomi Stuchiner made Aliyah from Johannesburg, South Africa in 1970.