About Lili

My story

My name is Lili Goldwein, age 69, blind, and my mobility is assisted by a guide dog answering the name Zita. I am a mother of four, and with my husband, Mickey, we are fortunate to have eight grandchildren. Unfortunately, I lost my eyesight due to a genetic disease (Retinitis pigmentosa).

Because of the diagnosis of my disease, I made a career change, and for 15 years, I served as a teacher for blind pupils who were integrated into the regular education system.

My meetings with the pupils were always moving and an experience. The pupils provided me the ability to grant them, above the learning materials, insights into a person who is gradually losing his eyesight; what is the significance, how does one cope with the process, and how does one live with the deficiency that follows us everywhere.

I was fortunate that we left for two missions of several years abroad in the framework of positions offered to my husband.

Manchester, England, was the first destination. Mickey was the manager for the Jewish Agency Keren Ha’yesod Foundation Fund. We were exposed to the Jewish community life for four years with its rich and diversified culture. I took part in cultural activities and fundraising and got to know many people whose love for Israel and its people is unquestionable.

Additionally, I realized at least two dreams. The first is trips around the United Kingdom and acquaintances with English culture traits and conservatism. I also participated in an antique furniture recognition course.

England provided us with the inspiration and idea to establish a hospitality unit with a sleeping and breakfast style on our estate.

And indeed, since the year 2000, we have been operating “Zimmers” in the village Yokneam – “Numa Emek.”

We were fortunate, and our next mission took us to one of the most wonderful places on earth – Vancouver, Canada.

We left on the mission on behalf of the Jewish National Fund in 2009. Mickey managed the fundraising in British Columbia.

Between the events and fundraising evenings, we made sure to utilize every opportunity to discover more landscapes, sites, lakes, glaciers, and people, in a land area 50 times larger than the area of Israel.

Upon our arrival in Canada, I began using a walking cane; its contribution to my independent mobility was most significant.

During the last decade, upon our return from Canada, I have been involved with projects for the blind population, giving lectures in various forums on coping with the process of losing eyesight, guide dogs, and accessibility.

I met many audiences; nursing students, medical teams, my clinic team, a bicycle riding group belonging to the “Etgarim” (Challenges) fellowship, with whom I ride every Friday, physiotherapists, retirement homes teams, and more.

Under the “Lotem” fellowship that is active in the Peace Valley near the village of Yokneam, I am a guide and a consultant for the guide teams for heritage sites and museums about the site’s accessibility for the blind.

I volunteer in the “North Israel Accessibility” fellowship and the Health Forum for disabled persons at the “Izzy Shapira House.”

Several initiatives I am promoting in recent years:

  1. “Audio Service” – its purpose is to qualify the various service providers on how to refer to the bling person or one with impaired vision who approaches them.
  2. “Moving to Independence” – meeting with my blind colleagues to provide them with tools that will assist them in optimally obtaining accessible service.
  3. “Eye Contact” – Assistance provided to the blind person in the hospital by nursing students and mediation with the medical team.

Additionally, for the past 20 years, I have been managing the “Numa Emek” Bed& Breakfast, in the estate in which we live in the village of Yokneam.

My Vision

My vision is to provide behavior principles for the person who encounters a blind person and increase the social awareness of the subject of blindness.

I believe cooperation between the blind and the society is a key to reducing the bounds of the disability

"Small but significant steps
will create a difference."