About us
Serving the blind and visually impaired since 1979
The Jewish Heritage for the Blind is dedicated to serving and promoting the independence of people who are blind or visually impaired — so they can stay active, accomplished and independent members of the Jewish community.
Who we are
The Jewish Heritage was first established for people who were completely blind and needed Braille reading material. Over the years, as the demand for large print grew, we expanded to meet it. Today we produce and give out thousands of large print and Braille books every year, along with our free Extra Large Print Jewish Calendar & Weekly Planner and our weekly Lekavod Shabbos magazine.
Beyond books, we help meet the social and personal needs of the people we serve: learning, friendship, visits, and guidance for families and for adults facing vision loss later in life.
We remember with love and gratitude our founder and Chairman, Rabbi David H. Toiv זצ״ל, whose vision continues to guide our work. Our weekly Lekavod Shabbos magazine is edited by Srulie Toiv, with stories compiled by Daniel Keren.
[Current leadership and board]
- 1979 the year we were founded
- 46th year of service
- [Number] people served each year
Rabbinical endorsements
We are proud to have merited the endorsement of leading Rabbanim and Roshei Yeshivos in the United States and abroad. Their approbation has encouraged us to expand our work and better serve the blind community. With sincere thanks and appreciation to:
- Harav Pinchos Menachem Alter, Gerrer Rebbe zt”l
- Harav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l
- Harav Shmuel Berenbaum
- Harav Yosef Shlomo Elyashiv
- Harav Solomon Halberstam
- Harav Yaakov Kamenetzky zt”l
- Harav Menashe Klein, Ungvarer Rebbe
- Harav Avrohom Pam
- Harav Yaakov Perlow, Novominsker Rebbe
- Harav Yissocher Dov Rokeach, Belzer Rebbe
- Harav Aaron M. Schechter
- Harav Chaim Pinchos Scheinberg
- Harav Abba Shaul
- Harav Moshe Stern zt”l, Debrecener Rebbe
- Harav Shlomo Wolbe
- Harav Ovadiah Yosef
[Please review: several of these Gedolim have passed away since the list was written; you may want to add zt”l where appropriate]