The Jewish Innovation
I am raising money for coexistence, both through an existing non-profit, Israel Tennis Centers, and by organizing a local basketball game with my Jewish friends and Muslim students from a local Muslim school.
Although this game will happen regardless, I am hoping to raise enough money to play on the floor of the Wells Fargo Center, before a Sixers’ game, so that I can raise more awareness for coexistence and inspire others to undertake similar initiatives to bring people together.
Half the money raised benefits The Israel Tennis Centers, one of the largest social service organizations for children in Israel, serving over 20,000 Israeli children every year, regardless of background, religious affiliation or economic circumstance. The ITC offers uniquely designed programs to meet the specific needs of its children, whether assisting youth at risk, those with special needs such as Down Syndrome and autism, and children of new immigrants from Russia and Ethiopia through its Social Impact programs; bringing together Israel Jews, Arabs, Bedouins and Druze through its Coexistence program; or training Israeli children to excel as tennis players through its High Performance program.
The Impact
Peace in our time depends on greater cooperation, and empathy. Finding common connections and working together will help build bridges.
Sports are universal – most of us enjoy them regardless of our religion or background. Highlighting that, and playing together, will open the lines of communication and highlight other commonalities we share.
My hope is that Crossovers for Coexistence will not be a one-time event, but rather become annual, so that it really has an impact on the community and builds a bridge between local Jewish and Muslim youth.
I’ve also partnered with the Israel Tennis Centers foundation, whose programs align with my goals. ITC’s mission is: “Through the discipline of tennis the Israel Tennis Centers strive to improve the lives of children in one of the most conflicted regions of the world. By teaching the life skills of self-reliance, perseverance and focus, the ITC fosters sustainable values of self-esteem, character and tolerance, creating a positive imprint on the children, their families, the communities and the world for generations to come.”
What Will You Do with the Money?
Half of the funds raised will go to the Coexistence Program for ITC, promoting peace through tennis in Israel. The other half will be used for the local event, to pay for the venue, tickets for the game (if we raise enough to play at a venue that houses a local team, such as Sixers, Penn, Villanova), food, and jerseys.
Founded in 1976, the Israel Tennis Centers is one of the largest social service organizations for children in Israel, serving over 20,000 Israeli children every year, regardless of background, religious affiliation or economic circumstance. No child is ever turned away. The ITC offers uniquely designed programs to meet the specific needs of its children:
– assisting youth at risk, those with special needs such as Down Syndrome and autism and children of new immigrants from Russia and Ethiopia through its Social Impact programs
– bringing together Israel Jews, Arabs, Bedouins and Druze through its Coexistence program
-training Israeli children to excel as tennis players through its High Performance program.
