Some people say they’d jump through hoops to make peace happen. Well now’s the time for those self-same people to put their dribble where their mouth is. For the 4th year running, Hoops 4 Israel, a charitable initiative founded by Toronto youth to benefit Israeli youth, will kick off its 4th fundraiser to collect money for the underdeveloped Israeli towns of Bat Yam and Kiryat Moshe. The project will include an initiative that will benefit Palestinian kids too.
The formula here is a no brainer: give people who will be the future peacemakers in the Middle East opportunities for a better life, and you up their odds for building a better society for all.
According to event organizers, the net proceeds from the charity will be put towards building more sports facilities in Kiryat Moshe and the coastal city of Bat Yam near Tel Aviv, and to support existing social programs already in place at these locations. In previous years, Hoops 4 Israel has collected $330,000 dollars to build an outdoor basketball court, an indoor gymnasium, youth sports and cultural programs for Ethiopian immigrants having trouble adjusting to modern Israeli society.
Above and beyond the actual tournament, which will include 32 teams, and dozens of sponsors, the Hoops 4 Israel project will include a side project –– a partnership with David Lasday of Peace Players International. Lasdav works with Israeli and Palestinians to get them interested in sporting events and peace.
The event will be held in conjunction with the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto and Birthright Israel Alumni Community, and will take place at 10 am at the HoopDome, 75 Carl Hall Road in Downsview Park.
According to David Goodman, the founder of Hoops 4 Israel, “I am thrilled to witness the overwhelming support from over 160 volunteers, past Birthright Israel participants and their desire to see the project grow and succeed.”
He adds: “Hoops 4 Israel is a platform that advocates primarily for Ethiopian-Israeli at-risk youth. However, with our growth comes more awareness of our brand. We now have an opportunity to bring awareness to other issues in our sphere such as: young adults with developmental challenges and autism, climate change awareness and sustainable living and Jewish community building in Canada.”
Drives to raise money have already taken place at the campus of the University of Western Ontario, and those “starving” students managed to raise $2,500. Goodman hopes to have a version of the Hoops tournament happen in Montreal next year, as well.
So if you believe in peace, and that opportunities in sport can lead to a better life for those in Israel and the Middle East, jump through a hoop and get involved, or donate to Hoops 4 Israel today.
To read more about Hoops 4 Israel, see www.hoops4israel.com
Related posts:
1 response so far ↓
1 Jumping Through Hoops for Peace | Israel Today // Mar 25, 2010 at 3:47 pm
[...] More: Jumping Through Hoops for Peace [...]
You must log in to post a comment.