Leah Rabbani

Hi!! Welcome to my Jerusalem marathon page!! I will be running the half marathon with Shalva for the second time, in honor of DeeDee Benel Z”L
The Shalva Center inspires me deeply because of its unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals with special needs and their families, offering them not just care but a true sense of belonging. Shalva provides a comprehensive range of support services, from therapeutic programs to social opportunities, all in a loving and inclusive environment.
This mission resonates with me profoundly, as I was inspired by Deedee Benel Z”L to work with special needs children and see firsthand the impact of compassionate care.
Ms. Benel’s life was dedicated to acts of kindness and compassion. As the Chesed coordinator at Ramaz, she didn’t just organize Chesed initiatives; she embodied them. Her warmth, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to helping others left a mark on everyone she encountered.
Ms. Benel introduced me to Shalva my freshman year of high school, and since then, I have been deeply inspired by their work and mission. I am so lucky to be running this marathon a second time, and I am even more lucky that Shalva center is just a 20 minute walk from me :) I can’t wait to volunteer there this year.
Running for Shalva feels like a way to extend Ms. Benel’s legacy by supporting a cause that brings light, hope, and dignity to so many. Through this run, I hope to make a difference in honor of Ms. Benel’s endless chesed and Shalva’s dedication to empowering individuals with special needs.
Ms. Benel, you are so dearly missed, and your loving actions inspire me every single day.
I thank everyone in advance for their generosity and for helping to support such an incredible cause.
Much love,
Leah Rabbani 💜💛