Current Mitzvah Projects
We are extremely grateful to the following individuals and organizations who raise funds to help those with disabilities in Israel participate in physical and psychological rehabilitation through sports. We thank you in advance for your support!
Please click on a box below to view information and make a donation for a specific Mitzvah Project.
Will Covett
My family and I are traveling to Israel for my Bar Mitzvah. It will be my first time there. I have enjoyed studying for my service and working with my Rabbis at Temple Sinai.
I play club soccer for NASA on an ECNL-R team. I have played since I was a little guy. I love being on a team and playing a high-intensity sport.
When Rabbi Segal mentioned Israel ParaSport Center, I thought immediately I wanted to help because I want everyone to experience the joy of sports – even if they are differently abled.
Thank you,
Will
Charlie Zelman
For my Mitzvah project, I wanted to incorporate my passion for basketball and my connectivity with Israel.
I love to play basketball, and so do many other people around the world. Unfortunately, some adults and children can’t play basketball or another sport because of a disability or a permanent injury. I think that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy of the game regardless of any disability.
I found the Israel ParaSport Center which raises money to buy sports wheelchairs, in addition to providing physical and holistic therapy to those in need. They also have competitive teams and even send athletes to the Paralympics. When I saw this I knew I wanted this to be my Mitzvah project.
I chose the Center based on its inclusive mission of providing all individuals an opportunity to play sports. I am passionate about my goal of raising $3,600 for a sports wheelchair so that anyone can enjoy the sport just like I do. In addition, my family and I will also donate basketballs to the Center when we visit Israel and I get the chance to volunteer and play basketball with the athletes at the Center.
I want to enable people of all ages with disabilities or permanent injuries to play basketball or other sports. Please make a donation to help me raise money for the Israel ParaSport Center.
Thank you, Charlie
Sadie Mandel
Dear Family and Friends
My Bat Mitzvah is coming up in September! One of the things that I am most excited about is my Mitzvah Project. This year I have spent time volunteering with children and adults with disabilities. I really love it!
I recently learned about the Israel ParaSport Center. It sounds like such a special place! My family and I are actually going to visit there when we go to Israel in March 2024.
The Center is an organization that lets people from different backgrounds with all types of disabilities or injuries (from illness, terrorist attacks, birth defects, or other circumstances) come together to play all kinds of sports! It helps people rehabilitate themselves both mentally and physically.
Since I love the pool and just started diving, I want to support the Israel ParaSport Aquatic Center Campaign, which will totally renovate both the Jimmy Caplan Hydrotherapy Pool and the semi-Olympic Pool.
The Center’s swimming program is one of the most advanced in the world. Hundreds of children begin their journey in the hydrotherapy pool, where they receive one-on-one sessions from specially-trained instructors. Because of the heavy usage of this facility and its age, constant renovations are needed.
I am trying to raise $3,600 for this project! On June 11th, I am hosting Diving for Mitzvot – a fundraiser at Deerspring Pool. I hope you can join us and help us make a splash for this important cause!
Love, Sadie
Hannah Cohen
![](https://afiscd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/HannaCohen2023.jpg")
Dear family and friends,
Last Passover, my family and I were lucky to visit Israel. As you know, we LOVE sports!!! My brother shared about the Israel ParaSport Center at his bar mitzvah. Since we were in Israel, we went to visit the Center which is located outside of Tel Aviv. It was awesome! We saw so many athletes- swimmers, tennis players, and even met a ping pong Paralympic International champion who is now an amazing teacher at the Center–she even gave Noah a ping pong lesson!
When we visited, the basketball games were over for the day, but the Center invited us to see a rugby game. They explained that athletes use a completely different wheelchair to play rugby than basketball! We watched the players- it was an intense game!! However, while the athletes were playing, the tires kept coming off pausing their rugby game! I decided right then that for my bat-mitzvah, I wanted to raise money for more tires for all of the sports wheelchairs at the Center so that every athlete can enjoy playing their favorite sport!!!
Please help me re-tire!!! And, join me to support the Israel ParaSport Center!!
Thank you so much!
Warmly
Hannah Cohen
Luke Schwartz
Hi, my name is Luke Schwartz and Im in seventh grade.
When I was trying to find out what to do for my mitzvah project I knew I wanted it to be something that had to do with basketball. While I was looking I saw that people with disabilities or people with permanent injuries in Israel can’t play basketball unless they have a wheelchair. The problem is that there are not enough wheelchairs so not everyone can play. This made me feel very sad. Then I found the Israel Parasport Center which raises money to buy more wheelchairs, in addition to providing physical and holistic therapy to those in need. They also have competitive teams and even send athletes to the Paralympics. When I saw this I knew I wanted this to be my Mitzvah project.
I’m trying to raise $2,000 dollars so I can help them buy more wheelchairs. I want to make it possible for people of all ages with disabilities or permanent injuries to be able to play basketball. Please make a donation to help me raise money for the Israel Parasport Center.
Thank you,
Luke
Eva Hara
My name is Eva Hara and I am 12 years old. My Bat Mitzvah is coming up and I chose the Israel ParaSport Center as my volunteering project.
I love basketball so much. I play on 2 teams in my hometown and spend every minute of my free time either practicing or watching my favorite teams on TV. When I watched the Paralympics in the summer of 2021, (my favorite event was wheelchair basketball) I was introduced to a new aspect of sports.
I think that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy of the game. I’m especially amazed by the perseverance and dedication of the athletes who play, despite a physical disability or permanent injury. I love how their passion for the sport is stronger than any challenges that might separate them from other athletes.
I’m also proud of my Israeli heritage. My Mom was born in Israel and we are excited that the Center is associated with a place that is special to our family.
I’m happy to be partnering with the Israel ParaSort Center to create a meaningful Bat Mitzvah project.
From,
Eva
Scott Cohen
Hello, my name is Scott Cohen and for my bar mitzvah project I am trying to raise $3,600 for a sports wheelchair for the Israel ParaSport Center. I love to play basketball, and so do many other people around the world. But unfortunately, some adults and children can’t play basketball or another sport that they love because of a disability or a permanent injury. Thankfully, the Center exists because anyone with a disability or injury can come to the Center not just to play the sport they love but also to become stronger and gain confidence. This is why I decided to raise money for the Israel ParaSport Center.
This past summer, I visited the Center in Ramat Gan with my parents and brother. I was saddened to see people struggling to do something I do easily (like throwing a ball). I was also impressed by the disabled athletes I met and heard about who compete and win internationally in table tennis, swimming, tennis, basketball, and other sports. The experience made me grateful for the capabilities that I have and glad that the Center exists.
During our visit, I got to play table tennis with Rina Ashkenazi, a Center table tennis coach and European Championship bronze medalist. I had the most fun playing wheelchair basketball. It was challenging and gave me an appreciation for how challenging it is to play in a wheelchair.
Please make a donation to help me raise money for Israel ParaSport Center. I am also making and selling Perler bead magnets and keychains. One hundred percent of what I raise will go towards supporting my bar mitzvah project.
Thank you,
Scott
Isabella Reibarkh
My name is Isabella, most people call me “Izzy”. I am a 7th grader in New Jersey. My passion is soccer. It is an amazing sport! I have been playing soccer since I was in 1st grade. Currently, I am playing for two soccer clubs and honestly can’t get enough of playing. It is hard for me to imagine life without soccer or what life would look like if I couldn’t play soccer.
When I started thinking of what I wanted to do as my mitzvah project, I knew I wanted to do something sports related. My mom and I were doing research regarding different organizations that I could fundraise and donate money to, and where kids would benefit from my donation. I came across the Israel ParaSport Center organization and immediately thought how perfect it would be to support such a wonderful organization. Knowing that I could help a child with physical disabilities enjoy sports made me very happy.
For my Bat Mitzvah project, I am raising awareness and money for the Israel ParaSport Center. In the spring, I am going to run soccer training for children. All money raised will be donated to this organization. My goal is to raise $2,500 to provide a child’s tuition in the Children’s Program for one year. Please help me achieve this goal!
Josh Levin
For my Bar Mitzvah project, I am raising awareness and money for the Israel ParaSport Center. I was fortunate enough to visit The Center with my family in Israel in December where I was able to witness the magic and impact of this organization firsthand. The Center offers programs and opportunities for kids and adults to help them overcome their disabilities, primarily through sports. They run professional sports leagues, including wheelchair basketball and rugby along with Paralympic sports such as table tennis, wheelchair tennis and boccia. I met 13-year-old Yohonatan who plays international table tennis, and I found it cool to play against him and understand how he overcame his disability through sports. I am creating a video of my experience at the center and trying to raise money for a new wheelchair by creating a March Madness bracket.
Ramaz 2022 Hoops for Chesed
On December 23, 2022, 7th and 8th-grade students at The Ramaz School will participate in a “Hoops for Chesed” free throw competition. This activity is another way for them to accept responsibility of mitzvot and play a bigger role in the Jewish community locally and globally.
Earlier this month, the 7th and 8th graders met with four inspiring athletes from the Israel ParaSport Center (formerly known as Israel Sport Center for the Disabled.) All four athletes shared their personal stories of how they came to their disabilities (some were born with them, and one was the result of an accident.). All four were shown how to push through their individual challenges by someone at The Center who became their role model for living a successful life. Boaz Kramer (brother of Ramaz teacher Noga Kramer, z”l) is a two-time Paralympian and silver medalist in wheelchair tennis. Caroline Tabib, also a two-time Paralympian, is ranked #6 in the world in wheelchair table tennis. Maayan Zikri is a US Open and Paris 2024 hopeful, currently ranked #21 in the world for wheelchair tennis. And everyone enjoyed hearing from eight-year-old Yonatan who dreams of winning lots of medals in either swimming, wheelchair basketball, or wheelchair rugby. Yonatan poignantly shared that The Center is his favorite place “because there, no one is different because everyone is different!”
Ramaz students are inviting family and friends to be their sponsors and donate money for every free throw they make in their Hoops for Chesed competition. Their goal is to raise at least $7,200 so the 7th and 8th grades can each purchase a sports wheelchair for The Center and give children with disabilities in Israel more opportunities to play sports, just like Ramaz students. We look forward to Ramaz’s 8th-grade class visiting The Center on their Israel trip in May when they will see their chesed efforts in action!
Thank you in advance for supporting this chesed opportunity.
7th and 8th Grade Classes of 2022-2023
The Ramaz Middle School
New York, NY
Jack Kaufthal
For my Bar Mitzvah Chesed project, I have decided to raise money for the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled. The Israel Sport Center for the Disabled is a facility located in Ramat Gan, Israel, that provides sports activities, rehabilitation, recreational, and competitive sports programs for about 2,500 people of all ages with physical disabilities. For the kids who go to the Center, sports helps them build confidence and morale and helps them feel like they fit in somewhere. The Center has produced many paralympic athletes who have won hundreds of Paralympic World Championship titles in wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, and other sports.
I want to raise money for basketball wheelchair(s) for the Center. Each basketball wheelchair costs $5,000 and is custom-made for the agility needs of the sport. This is a very important project to me because I love sports, especially basketball, and I think everyone should get a chance to experience its benefits. Athletes from the Center have visited my school twice. These visits helped me realize how big an impact sports can have on people’s lives. This year, I went to Israel for Sukkot. My family and I were lucky enough to visit the Center and it was one of my favorite places that I visited during our trip. The visit helped me see how special the Center is, especially because it is the only one of its kind in Israel. This project is a perfect way to combine something I love with an important Chesed opportunity.
Thank you,
Jack
Yair Dreytser & Binyamin Friedman
Through our community organizations, we have been lucky to have Israel, sports, and helping people with special needs as part of our lives. Both have made a big impact on us. For a Bar Mitzvah chesed project, we want to bring our interests together to help disabled kids in Israel through sports and help impact their lives too.
Join us in raising money for new sports equipment and/or wheelchairs with the American Friends of Israel Sport Center for the Disabled. When we travel to Israel in the near future, we will be able to tour the facilities and help the kids play sports. Thank you to everyone who can help bring sports into the lives of everyone.
See video about org: The ISCD Presents – “Once you choose hope, anything is possible”
Cost of equipment needed below.
Let’s see how much we can send to kids in Israel during our Climb-A-Thon Bar Mitzvah party.
$18 – Help to provide an athlete with equipment
$36 – Help to provide an athlete with equipment
$72 – Help to provide an athlete with equipment
$180 – Provide a wheelchair basketball player with a uniform and equipment
$360 – Provide a wheelchair tennis player with a uniform, racquet, and tennis balls
$540 – Provide a child with a series of twelve one-hour one-on-one aquatic therapy sessions
$1,200 – Provide a child with transportation to and from The Center for one year
$2,500 – Provide a child’s tuition in the Children’s Program for one year
$3,600 – Provide an athlete with a Basketball or Rugby Wheelchair
$5,000 – Provide an elite athlete with a top-of-the-line competitive wheelchair
TIZKU L’MITZVOT!
Yair Dreytser and Binyamin Friedman
Alice Bohrer
Hi! My name is Alice Bohrer, I am in 7th grade and my Bat Mitzvah is on March 4th, 2023. For my Mitzvah project, I want to support the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled.
I play a variety of sports – softball, tennis, and snowboarding. I snowboard every winter and I am in my town’s Little League fall and spring Softball league. I play tennis every week and all summer long, improving my ground strokes and having fun. I love all of these sports, but I now realize not everyone can do these activities easily. I want to help others have the same opportunities that I do and to experience the joy of playing sports.
Israel Sport Center for the Disabled is a great organization that lets people with disabilities express themselves through sports and helps people enjoy the experience of playing sports. Please help by donating to this incredible organization, I am trying to raise enough to buy a sports wheelchair ($3,600) so that more children and adults alike can have an opportunity to express themselves through sports.
To help reach my goal of buying a sports wheelchair, I will be selling tournament brackets for the Australian Tennis Open in January ‘23. If you make a donation to my page, I will send you a bracket and we can follow along as the tournament unfolds.
Each bracket is $36, buy as many as you want!
Thanks, Alice Bohrer
Jack Shapiro
Hi. My name is Jack Shapiro. I am in seventh grade, and my Bar Mitzvah is on October 22, 2022. For my Bar Mitzvah Project, I am excited to raise money for the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled. Sports have always been an important part of my life. Since I was a little kid, I have always enjoyed playing all kinds of sports, including baseball, basketball, and flag football. When I met with my rabbi to discuss ideas for my mitzvah project, we immediately thought that something related to kids and sports would be a meaningful fit for me. I remembered that the ISCD had come to my school a few years ago, and I learned more about it by watching videos of the athletes and learning about their personal stories. I think it is so incredible how the Center helps kids overcome emotional and physical challenges through playing sports, and really changes their lives. I am so excited to be able to help these kids and athletes even in a small way by raising funds for them as a part of my Bar Mitzvah, and I hope to also raise awareness of this amazing organization. I hope you will consider donating to the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled in honor of my mitzvah project.
Thanks, Jack
Jake Block
Hi, My name is Jake Block and I will be Bar Mitzvahed on November 5th, 2022. I live in New York and I am in 7th grade. A part of what I do to become Bar Mitzvahed is do a mitzvah project. A mitzvah project is something to help the community in a way that is meaningful to me. I am interested in sports like baseball, hockey, golf, swimming, etc. So what I chose for my mitzvah project is to raise money for the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled (ISCD), which is located in Ramat Gan, Israel, a town outside of Tel Aviv.
What this organization does is it makes it possible for kids with all sorts of disabilities to participate in sports in ways they ordinarily wouldn’t be able to do. The ISCD is a home away from home for about 2,500 Israelis of all ages, where the unique benefits of sports are utilized to strengthen body, spirit, and mind. To me, sports is a really big part of my life because it helps me get away from stress and just have a good time doing what I love. Unfortunately, not all kids may have the same physical gifts as you or me so it may be harder to pursue their dreams than us. They may not have the resources, ability, or help as we do. Even though I have not been to The Center yet, I’ve seen videos and pictures of the kids playing sports and having fun. ISCD helps kids have fun in ways that fit their abilities and it is super important to me that I can get to help them enjoy sports like I do.
What I am doing to help ISCD is I am hoping to raise enough money to buy one sports wheelchair. One sports wheelchair costs 3,600 dollars. I am asking for donations of $18-36 dollars because the Hebrew letter symbol for 18 spells the word “chai” which means life. It makes me very happy to be able to support this organization because it helps kids pursue their dreams easier. It would be incredible for you to help me in reaching my goal of donating one sports wheelchair. Any donation helps!
The organization is truly amazing, and it would mean a lot to kids in Israel with disabilities and to me if you could support my mitzvah project.
Thanks,
Jake
Max Lincow
My name is Max Lincow, and I am excited to raise money for the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled (ISCD) as part of my Bar Mitzvah project. Playing basketball is my passion! Recently, I started volunteering for a youth wheelchair basketball program. It was incredible to experience playing basketball in a wheelchair with the other players. Through perseverance and determination, the players were able to excel with their ball-handling skills and techniques despite their disabilities. My volunteer work has helped me to realize that I want to give back to my community and allow other children to overcome their challenges and enjoy playing their favorite sports. The ISCD is an incredible organization that helps children with all types of disabilities overcome physical and emotional obstacles through playing sports.
Thank you for considering donating to the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled in honor of my mitzvah project.
Max Lincow
Libi Cohen
Hi, I’m Libi @libisbraceletbar
For my bat mitzvah project, I am raising money for the American Friends of Israel Sport Center for the Disabled. They are an organization that helps and teaches kids with disabilities to play all different kinds of sports. Design your own bracelet from Libi’s bracelet bar and share with your friends. All proceeds will go to American Friends of Israel Sport Center for the Disabled.
Jara Levinson
Hi, My name is Jara Levinson, I live on Long Island, NY and I will become a bat mitzvah on June 4th, 2022. Part of my responsibility in becoming a bat mitzvah is to choose a mitzvah project that is meaningful to me. Many of you already know that I have a passion for dance. I have danced since I’m 18 months old and couldn’t imagine anything more rewarding than to follow my passion for the last 12 years. But not everyone has the ability to pursue their passions due to limitations physically or mentally.
For my mitzvah project, I have chosen to raise money to support the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled, which is located in Ramat Gan, Israel, a town outside of Tel Aviv. The ISCD provides a safe place for children and adults with disabilities and gives them the ability to keep their dreams alive. The ISCD is a home away from home to around 2,500 Israelis of all ages, where the unique merits of sports are utilized to strengthen body, spirit, and mind. Sports activities contribute more to the confidence, morale, and self-image of those with disabilities than any other form of rehabilitation. Today, ISCD athletes participate in 18 different sports activities without discrimination on the basis of gender, religion, race, nationality, or ethnicity.
Dancing is most definitely a sport and those individuals with disabilities are sometimes unable to participate. The ISCD offers Israeli dancing as well as dance classes for adults with cerebral palsy with the assistance of wheelchairs, so their dancing passion can become a reality. The goal of my mitzvah project is to raise $3600 which the Center will use to purchase one new wheelchair for dancers. I hope you will help me in achieving my goal.
With love and thanks, Jara
Mason Greenberg
Hi. My name is Mason Greenberg. I am in 7th grade and my Bar Mitzvah is on March 26, 2022. I love to play sports, including basketball, baseball, and soccer. I recognize the importance of helping others and wanted to combine that with my love of sports for my mitzvah project. I have decided to raise money for the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled (ISCD). This organization allows kids with all types of disabilities or injuries from illness, terrorist attacks, birth defects, or other circumstances to come together to play sports and rehabilitate themselves both mentally and physically. Being active in sports has been such an important part of my life and I am grateful to have so many opportunities to participate. Unfortunately, there are many people who do not have the same opportunities as I do, or the necessary equipment to do so. I have never visited the Center, but I’ve seen many inspirational pictures and videos of people from the ISCD playing sports like everyone else. Knowing that the ISCD helps bring kids together is so important to me because being on various teams has helped me learn how to be a better person and teammate.
To raise money for the ISCD, the Ramsey 7th grade travel basketball teams will shoot free throws during a joint practice on Wednesday, February 23, with a target overall goal of 500 free throws made. I am asking for donations in one of two ways: a flat amount of your choosing or a pledge per free throw made. All donations will be given to the ISCD to purchase new wheelchairs for the disabled. It makes me happy to help this great foundation and I hope everyone will help out too! The ISCD is not just about sports, it is about helping people with special needs rebuild their lives. It gives them something to be excited about and helps with their rehabilitation. This organization is truly amazing and it would mean a lot to them and me if you could support my mitzvah project and please make a donation.
Jeremy Wolf
Jeremy Wolf will be a Bar Mitzvah this weekend, March 12, 2022, and would like to fundraise for AFISCD just like his older brother Isaac Wolf did in 2020 with his friend Ryan Altmann. Jeremy is an avid sports lover and plays all of them – soccer, flag football, basketball with baseball being his year-round sport. He learned about ISCD when his older brother did a wheelchair basketball fundraiser around his Bar Mitzvah.
Jeremy would like to do an online fundraiser to raise awareness of the organization and help contribute to its mission. He would also like to be able to provide a wheelchair for an athlete with disabilities. While we were supposed to do a trip to Israel this past December and had hoped to visit Isaac’s plaque, Covid, unfortunately, forced us to cancel. Hopefully, Jeremy can visit the center on the Davis Academy 8th grade trip if not beforehand!
Notice: Donations from Jeremy’s Bar Mitzvah project will go to support a Ukrainian Tahel Eye 14-year-old Paralympic swimmer who is being absorbed at the Center at the request of the Ukrainian Paralympic team.
Thank you for your support!
Roee Joelson
Hi, my name is Roee Joelson. I am in 7th grade and preparing for my Bar Mitzvah. As I was searching for my organization for my mitzvah project I came across the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled and immediately fell in love with it. I watched videos about kids with disabilities getting to do what they were once told was not possible and it inspired me. I am very athletic. I play soccer and I play football with my brother. I also enjoy running. These sports have had a great impact on my life and have shaped me into who I am today. This organization is helping kids with disabilities get the privileges I enjoy every day. So for my mitzvah project, I am hosting a run called Roee’s Shvitzvah Jog, and I am raising money for this amazing organization so more and more children with disabilities can have the athletic experiences that I love.
The money I raise will go straight to the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled to help children with disabilities overcome huge obstacles they have in life. Please remember that when I cross the finish line, I’m helping a child with disabilities cross it too.
Brynn Goldberg
My name is Brynn Goldberg and I am in 7th grade. As I prepare for my Bat Mitzvah I have also thought a lot about the many blessings I have in my life that some people may not. I am blessed to be able to freely play all of the sports that I love and have loved since I was as young as three years old. These include soccer, ice hockey, tennis, biking, surfing, and so much more. Since our pre-Covid plan was to visit Israel for my Bat Mitzvah, I decided I would love the opportunity to raise money for Israel Sport Center For The Disabled (ISCD).
Playing sports allows me to clear my mind. It helps me get away from the world when I just want to have fun. It releases stress, and it’s awesome to play with other people! Everyone deserves to be able to play sports, no matter what modifications might be needed. What I loved learning about ISCD is that many of the trainers/coaches are disabled themselves and have gone through the “process” of managing a disability. They are a true inspiration! I also love that ISCD gives a child an opportunity to be good at something outside of school. If they see they can be successful at sports, then they know they can be successful in other places too and to never give up!
I hope to one day be able to make my trip to Israel and visit this amazing place. My goal is to raise $3,600 for a sports wheelchair for this facility.
100% of your donations will go to ISCD!
Thank you in advance for your support!
Brynn Goldberg
Jack Lee
Tikkun Olam means repairing the world and making it a better place. It is about kindness, compassion, and doing my best to help others. I am very inspired by the work and accomplishments of the athletes and staff at the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled. I was lucky enough to meet Caroline Tabib, a Paralympian table tennis champion when she recently visited Los Angeles. Her story and everything she told me about the children at the Center, showed me how hope and sports can change people’s lives. In honor of my Bar Mitzvah, I am donating a portion of my gifts and I hope you will join me in supporting this incredible organization. After becoming Bar Mitzvah, I will continue working with and supporting the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled. I believe in their goal of empowering children with physical disabilities through sports.
Ramaz School
On October 22, 2021, 5th and 6th-grade students at The Ramaz School participated in a “Hoops for Chesed” free throw competition. As the students will all soon become Bar/Bat mitzvah, this activity was a way to have them begin thinking about accepting the responsibility of mitzvot and playing a bigger role in their Jewish communities and the world at large.
The day before Hoops for Chesed, the 5th and 6th graders had a Zoom meeting with Asael Shabo from the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled (ISCD). Asael shared the story of how he lost his leg and how ISCD helped him find hope and joy in sports again. Now Asael is an international wheelchair basketball star and plays on the Israel National Wheelchair Basketball Team. He also coaches swimming at ISCD. Ramaz students enjoyed interacting with Asael and asked great questions about what it’s like being an athlete with physical challenges.
Ramaz students are inviting family and friends to be their sponsors and donate money for every free throw they made in their Hoops for Chesed competition. Their goal is to raise at least $7,200 so the 5th and 6th grades can each purchase a sport wheelchair for ISCD and give children with disabilities in Israel more opportunities to play sports, just like Ramaz students!
Thank you in advance for supporting this chesed opportunity.
5th and 6th Grade Classes of 2021-2022
The Ramaz School
New York, NY
Ava Zamler & Zoe Greenfield
Hi. Our names are Ava Zamler and Zoe Greenfield. We are in 7th grade and have our Bat Mitzvahs in early 2022. We both love to play sports including dance, basketball, tennis, swimming, field hockey, and volleyball. We recognize the importance of helping others and wanted to combine our interests for our mitzvah project. We have decided to raise money for the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled (ISCD), an organization that allows kids with all types of disabilities or injuries from illness, terrorist attacks, birth defects, or other circumstances to come together to play all kinds of sports, and rehabilitates themselves both mentally and physically. Being active in sports has been such an important part of our lives and we are grateful to have so many opportunities. Unfortunately, there are many people who do not have the same opportunities as us or the necessary equipment to do so.
When I (Zoe) visited Israel in 2019, my family had the opportunity to attend a tour of the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled – I was SO impressed! I had the best time playing with a professional wheelchair basketball player and found it very challenging. It gave me a better perspective of how hard it would be to be in a wheelchair.
I (Ava) have not visited the Center but I look forward to going this December when my family and I go to Israel. Over the years, meeting people from the Center has made me so excited to help, and hope that everyone will help us too! Knowing that the ISCD helps bring kids together is so important to me because being on various teams has helped me learn how to be a better person.
The Center is not just about sports, it is about helping people with special needs rebuild their lives. It gives them something to be excited about and helps with their rehabilitation. This organization is truly amazing and it would mean a lot to us if you could please make a donation and support our mitzvah project.
JOSH SALAMA-CARO
My name is Josh Salama-Caro and I live in New York with my parents, my two younger brothers, and my younger sister. I am studying for my upcoming bar mitzvah in February 2022.
I have a passion for sports and of course I enjoy winning but I also love the thrill of competing. I play football (soccer) and tennis competitively and I play golf regularly with my dad and brothers. Sport is such a huge part of my life so when it came to my bar mitzvah project I wanted to try to incorporate sport into it. In doing research, my synagogue suggested I contact the American Friends of Israel Sport Center for the Disabled (ISCD).
The first time I saw disabled athletes competing was at the 2012 Paralympics in London, where I am from. Even though I was only 3 years old I can remember being impressed by the athletes playing basketball in their wheelchairs. In the more recent 2020 Paralympics I was enthralled by the wheelchair rugby I watched on TV and last week at the US Open Tennis I was able to watch some wheelchair tennis. I am so excited to be able to help more disabled athletes be able to participate in sports and I hope they will be able to feel the way I do when I am playing sports, both with friends and competitively. I have gained a lot of confidence from sport and I really hope to be able to help some athletes at the Centre feel the same.
I am looking forward to going to Israel to visit the Centre in Ramat Gan and I hope to be able to go next year. I am planning a 5km sponsored walk in Central Park in October for my family and friends. I have a fundraising goal of $8,000 to be able to buy at least one specialized wheelchair; this will change the lives of many athletes as the ISCD’s competitive tennis team has an immediate need for specialized wheelchairs. The tennis team at the Centre this year qualified for the World Team Cup which is the equivalent of the Davis Cup, an international flagship event.
Thank you so much for all of your support,
Josh
Oren Shashoua
Dear Family and Friends,
For my mitzvah project, through UJA’s Give a Mitzvah – Do a Mitzvah program, I have set a goal to raise $3,600 for the benefit of the sports programs provided to disabled youth and adults at the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled.
Sports have been a very important part of my life. Some of my favorite memories are playing sports with my friends, my dad, and my cousins. I love playing basketball, lacrosse, and tennis. I have been playing basketball since I was 7! Sports have given me the chance to make lifelong friends and to learn life skills such as leadership. They have also taught me the value of hard work, teamwork, grit, and of course some fun. They have given me an outlet to focus my energy outside of school. I can’t imagine my life without sports!
When I first heard about the work that the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled does, I knew immediately I wanted to help. The people who go to the Center have challenging lives due to their disabilities, which they have been born with or developed later in life because of an accident or terrorism. I would like to help give the opportunity to the children and adults at the Center to enjoy all of the positive things that sports have to offer: friendship, life lessons, inner strength, and just the ability to do something fun that they love! The money I raise will go toward the Wheelchair Basketball program at the Center and to purchase a brand new sports wheelchair for wheelchair basketball games.
Thank you for all your support!
Oren
PS: One hundred percent of your donation will go toward supporting my project. Thanks again!
Guy Ronen
As a Bar Mitzvah, I am excited to support the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled. A few months ago when I started looking for a project, I knew I wanted to help youth through sports but wasn’t sure how and where. I wanted to be able to go and volunteer in person, but now in corona times it’s not really possible. After looking at organizations both in Israel and California, we found the ISCD, whose mission is “empowering children and youth with physical disabilities from all backgrounds to participate in physical and psychological rehabilitation through sports in order to attain the goal of leading productive and successful lives in Israeli society.”
I was excited to register to participate in the ISCD 60th Anniversary “Brunch and Basketball” celebration on Nov 22 (the day after my Bar Mitzvah), with 2020 NBA draft pick from Israel, Deni Avdija & professional wheelchair basketball player Asael Shabo.
I plan to donate a portion of my gifts to the American Friends of ISCD, as well as half of my earnings from training younger kids in basketball. You’re all invited to join the brunch – it’s free to register at Go60Brunch.org – and donations are welcome here too! When we can finally travel to Israel, we plan to visit the Center in Ramat Gan and hope to be able to volunteer there one day to help disabled youth with basketball.
TODA RABA!
Guy
Liana Schwab
My name is Liana Schwab and I am 11 years old (almost 12). My Bat Mitzvah is in January 2021 with a ceremony in Israel following. I want to raise money for the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled because I participate as a buddy for people who have disabilities in their classrooms and on the basketball court and I want to help others. I enjoy playing basketball and biking and I want everyone to be able to do the things they enjoy. I also wanted to do something for Israel because Israel is important to me and I am excited to visit the center, meet people, and see what they do there.
Reuben Askowitz
A wise Chinese Proverb argues that, “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.”
10 years ago, we looked for charity for Aaron’s bar mitzvah chesed project. Aaron was an avid tennis player and we hoped to find an organization which would resonate with him. We were fortunate to get connected with the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled (ISCD). We continue to support the ISCD to this day. We find the organization essential to the growth of so many children and adults. The center serves a broad community of roughly 2000 families. It offers programs which nurture both the physical as well as emotional development of its participants.
On March 15th, the ISCD was forced to temporarily close its doors due to the pandemic. Over the past few days, with strict new protocols, small parts of the Center have begun to reopen. The Center derives 40% of the revenue needed for operations from fees. With the reduced services and added expenses, the Center is counting on support and generosity from friends.
So, in celebration of my milestone birthday, I hope you can join me in making a donation to the ISCD. $18 covers the cost of my “go to” drink….( multiple “rounds” are welcomed).
And in honor of my milestone birthday, all donations will be matched DOLLAR for DOLLAR! So please help me help the ISCD!
Andrew Schwartz & Noah Cohen
We are Andrew and Noah and for our Bar Mitzvah project we are raising $5000 to purchase a sport wheelchair so kids with disabilities can play basketball at the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled.
HARRISON STEINBERG
My name is Harrison Steinberg and I will be celebrating my Bar Mitzvah in Pennsylvania on May 2, 2020. A part of becoming a Bar Mitzvah at my synagogue is to choose a mitzvah project that is meaningful for me. I chose to learn about and support the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled (ISCD) as my Mitzvah Project mostly because I love sports – playing sports, watching sports and talking about sports. Sports are a really positive part of my life. The ISCD is an incredible organization that provides sports rehabilitation to thousands of children and youth with physical disabilities, many of whom were victims of terrorist attacks, as well as professional training for disabled athletes in basketball, swimming, tennis, and rugby. There are athletes at the center who have been rehabilitated, trained and now compete in the world Paralympic Games representing Israel.
On my family trip to Israel in December, we visited the ISCD. I was impressed by the facility and excited to meet and hear the stories of athletes and coaches. The ISCD has truly changed their lives and I am motivated to help support them in any way possible.
One of their greatest needs is to provide customized wheelchairs for their athletes. Each wheelchair costs between $3,000 – $5,000, because it is customized for the athlete’s specific disability and sport. My goal is to raise enough money to buy at least one new wheelchair for an athlete at the center. I hope you’ll choose to support me and the center’s important work.
RAEL AND MIRA GLUSMAN
Our family has always talked about the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled.
Ever since we were little, we had a chance to hang out with the Israeli athletes when they came to Atlanta. We have had the chance to spend time with some great people from the ISCD. Moshe Rashkes, the founding director, who introduced the ISCD to our family and opened up his heart and home to our mom when she worked at the ISCD. Boaz, the current director, who our mom knew when they were teenagers and is really nice. Kobi, the Chairman, who is always so kind to us. Reuven, their coach, who is always giving us kisses on the forehead. Most importantly, we have had the chance to spend time with some of the amazing athletes from the center such as Caroline, Asael, Max, Amit and many more. We love hearing their stories and how they have succeeded in their lives so far. They are all great athletes and have inspired us.
A few years ago, the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled had an event in Atlanta. Our family co-chaired this event and we were able to attend. They did a wheelchair basketball event. The athletes did an exhibition and showed us some of their amazing tricks including a half-court shot. They made it look easy! After the exhibition, they had wheelchair basketball stations where we could physically try to play wheelchair basketball. It was a lot harder than they made it look!
At the beginning of the event, we saw three kids who had chosen to donate to the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled as their B’nai Mitzvah Projects. This sparked our interest. After the event, we immediately asked our parents if we can also help in some way. This is how we chose the ISCD as our B’nai Mitzvah Project.
Our great grandparents, Rose and Abe Luski, (Z”L), were very involved with the Sport Center. It was an important place to them. Since their passing about three years ago, we want to continue this tradition of support and friendship, along with our entire extended family. By helping to bring happiness to the lives of children with disabilities and their families, it is a way that our hearts will always remain tied to those we love by carrying on our Bobe Rosa and Zeide’s legacy! The Center is not just about sports, it is about helping people with special needs rebuild their lives. It gives them something to be excited about and helps with their rehabilitation. We are proud to be able to participate in our own way.
For our B’nai Mitzvah project, we would be happy to have you join us in whatever way you wish in supporting The Israel Sport Center for the Disabled.
Thank you so much for your support, Rael and Mira
MAYAH CHAVA ROSENZWEIG
My name is Mayah Chava Rosenzweig and I am a 6th grader. This summer my family and I went to Israel and visited the ISCD facility for kids with disabilities. I first heard about this wonderful organization from one of the rabbi’s at my school. He knew that I really like sports and that I was hoping to find a place like the ISCD to do some chesed as part of my Bat Mitzvah. He also really likes this organization and after learning about it, visiting the campus, and getting a tour from one of the athletes who benefits from the ISCD, I fell in love with it too.
The ISCD is an organization that helps kids with disabilities by teaching them how to play sports. They do this because it helps them overcome their disabilities and it gives them a great amount of self-confidence and self-fulfillment. It makes them feel like there is nothing wrong with them and that they could do anything as long as they put their mind to it and try hard to achieve their goal. Some of the children who have gone to the ISCD have grown up to become amazing athletes in several different sports, including wheelchair basketball and ping-pong.
Now that you know a little more about what the ISCD does and how amazing it is, I would like to tell you what I am trying to do to help. In order to play on the ISCD’s wheelchair basketball team you need to have a special wheelchair that helps you move faster, holds you more securely, and is customized for your disability. A wheelchair like this is very expensive. I am trying to raise enough money to buy several wheelchairs as well as other sports related equipment. My goal is to raise $10,000. Please help me by donating to this fantastic organization.
EMILY ROTH
Hi. My name is Emily Roth and I’m in 7th grade in California.
During this past Summer, I had an incredible Bat Mitzvah in Israel and I will be having another in California on December 7. I’ve chosen The Israel Sports Center for the Disabled for my Mitzvah project. I’ve always known about the Center as my parents and grandparents have been supporting the Center for many years. I love everything the Sports Center stands for. It’s an amazing place that helps children with disabilities overcome many physical and emotional obstacles though sports. I love playing tennis and volleyball. The Center helps disabled children participate in many sports in order to attain the goal of leading productive and successful lives. I’m really lucky that I’ve gotten to know many incredible athletes and have been able to visit the Center on my visits to Israel. Thank you for donating to this wonderful organization.
With love,
Emily
Ryan Altmann & Isaac Wolf
Our names are Ryan Altmann and Isaac Wolf and we both have our bar mitzvahs coming up in the next few months. For our mitzvah project, we have decided to raise money for the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled (ISCD), an organization that allows kids with disabilities to participate in all kinds of sports. We first heard about ISCD a few years ago when Ryan’s mom went to Israel and talked about how amazing it was. Then we participated in a few different events when the ISCD visited Atlanta, most recently at the Maccabi games this past Summer.
We have gotten to meet some of the athletes and they all say how the ISCD has become such an important part of their lives. We both love to play sports, especially basketball and we were amazed at how good the Wheelchair basketball players were from ISCD. And it’s not just basketball that the ISCD offers. There are 18 different sports that the kids can participate in, including tennis, soccer and competitive swimming. This organization is truly amazing and it would mean a lot to us if you could make a donation and support our mitzvah project.
JULIA FREEDMAN
Hi! My name is Julia Freedman, and I’m a 7th grader. I first learned about the ISCD at school when a speaker came and talked to us about the organization. I was thrilled to hear about the opportunities they provide for children with physical disabilities to overcome them and be able to play sports. I have always loved playing sports, and I’ve played many in my life including basketball, softball, gymnastics, tennis and soccer. I take it for granted that I am able to play sports easily with nothing holding me back. When I learned about ISCD, I knew I wanted to do something to help. Coincidentally, I discovered that my mom visited ISCD when she was on a recent trip to Israel. She was also blown away by the organization and all the people that they help in a fun environment. Recently, due to the generosity of the Atlanta community, the ISCD was able to build an adapted fitness center in Israel. However, they are in need of equipment. So I decided that I would like to try to raise $4500, which will enable me to donate a wheel chair and supply equipment including weights, medicine balls, mats and more. I would like to ask, if possible, for everyone to please donate a minimum of $5 for every working limb that they have. For example, a person with two arms and two legs could hopefully give a minimum of $20 dollars. I hope when you are making your donation, you’ll take a moment to realize that some people don’t have all working limbs available to them, but they still can be active and play all sports with our collective fundraising help.
LEAH KLEINSTEIN
Hello, My name is Leah Kleinstein, and I am choosing to do my mitzvah project to help those with disabilities play sports. I am 11 years old, and I am on a swim team called the Bluestreaks. I have been swimming since I was 4 years old.
I was at a fundraising dinner when I first learned about ISCD, and I felt that this was perfect for my mitzvah project. I felt bad for the kids and adults that couldn’t participate in the sports they would like to play. I think that people should be able to play sports even if they are disabled.
I was very lucky to visit the ISCD on my trip to Israel last summer. I had a private tour of the facility from one of the executives, named Boaz. I got to see the basketball team practicing for an upcoming tournament, as well as another girl playing tennis in a wheelchair. Being able to raise money for ISCD will help the center to have more wheelchairs for the kids and adults. Even if I raise the money for one wheelchair ($2,500), it can help many kids. So please help me support these kids to be able to play sports. Any donation is greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Leah