a web of getting to know one another, open- ness, and trust, to ... Jaffa, Holon, and, of course, Bat Yam! ... Itailives
TheEqualizer June 2017
MAGAZINE
Table of Contents 2) Stories from the Field 4) Volunteer of the Week 6) Nice to Meet
Picture of the Month
Many local municipalities are proud to host The Equalizer’s regional tournaments during the year. Some even prepare special banners to welcome outof-towners. Two examples are from Tamra and Katzrin, which hosted our Western and Upper Galilee regions respectively. These are the banners that were at the entrance of the towns.
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Stories from the Field As part of our ongoing partnership with Hapoel Jerusalem’s basketball club, our young participants and staff were invited to the playoffs where the winning team advanced to the semi-finals! In the Omriya School's team in Tira, the tutors - sisters from Taibeh, Wasman Haya and Maha Gabali - ran a wonderful activity. Each participant asked his friend a personal question and then threw a ball of yarn to that friend, while holding on to the yarn. The activity resulted in a web of getting to know one another, openness, and trust, to improve their abilities as a team going forward!
The 7th-8th grade team in Sderot's Mekif Middle School program volunteered as referees for our Western Region's final tournament of the year for elementary schools.
In picture: Opening Tournament Invitation
more Stories from the Field, follow us on Facebook Thursday, April 14th, 2016For in Afula
The Equalizer - Education on Top
Stories from the Field A pilot program was run this year in the AMIT Kennedy High School in Acco, with Dr. Ziva Sagie. Alongside the football practices and tournaments, the youth went through an in-depth empowerment process based on awards and positive reinforcement. Dr. Sagie shared: "The youth started to think of themselves and their friends in terms of success, and not failure. They also have begun to strengthen one another, and have created a strong bond with me in a short time."
Bat Yam hosted a tournament for the first time. The tournament was for 7th-8th graders from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Lod, Jaffa, Holon, and, of course, Bat Yam!
The Sinai School's team in Gan Yavne is run on Fridays by Sonia, a dental student at Tel Aviv University, living in Ashdod.
In picture: Opening Tournament Invitation
more Stories from the Field, follow us on Facebook Thursday, April 14th, 2016For in Afula
The Equalizer - Education on Top
Volunteer of the Week Itai Kalo. Tutors at the Ben Gurion and Gordon school's teams in Bat Yam. Itailives in Yaffo, studies computer science at the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo and volunteers for The Equalizer through the Rothschild Ambassador's program. "I chose to highlight Itai," Omer Kleiman, the Center Regional Manager, told us, "because of his outstanding desire to give of himself for others. He not only helps the kids with their studies, but also helps improve their football skills." Itai said: "I really believe in the organization, in how it educates through sport. The organization addresses one of today's challenges where football comes on account of education. A really important issue, and that's why I chose to volunteer with the organization." Narkis Genut. Trains the study center volunteers; coordinates all the training for the Upper Galilee Region voluntarily through the Rothschild Ambassadors program. Narkis, in her first year studying social work, has loved seeing the tutors change throughout the year, becoming even more motivated than they were in the beginning. Their activities are run with more content and meaning than they ever expected. The counselors are amazed how ready the children were for the higher level. Narkis told us: “I see The Equalizer as an opportunity to influence a lot of children by mentoring the tutors. I really believe in the educational work of The Equalizer. The fact that we work in the schools enables us to impact many children who would In picture: otherwise be very difficult to reach.” Nevo, Opening Tournament Invitation our Upper Galilee Regional Manager, said: “After being the pedagogical coordinator, Narkis took theApril reigns all connected Thursday, 14thin, 2016 in Afula to coordinating the tutors – mentoring them and developing content. During the year, the connection between her and the tutors has been incredible, a definite contribution to the quality of the overall program for the children.”
Volunteer of the Week Federica Gagliardini. Originally from Jesi, near Rome, Italy and now lives in Tel Aviv, doing her MA in Conflict Management at Tel Aviv University. She saw an advertisement for our organization in English on social media and emailed us to volunteer! Since then, Federica has been a part of organizing events and even serving as the photographer at tournaments. Federica told us: “Volunteering in The Equalizer is a great opportunity to be in touch with an amazing organization and staff concerned with children’s education. During this experience, I have understood how important is in the Israeli context and, more generally, in the worldwide context to work with youth and kids in order to spread and ensure values of mutual respect, tolerance and co-existence in the long-run. What I found very interesting and original about this project is the use of football as an instrument destroying walls and creating bridges while propagating a sense of union, commitment and equality among the children.”
In picture: Opening Tournament Invitation Thursday, April 14th, 2016 in Afula
Keren Ben Nesher. Volunteers w ith the 7th-8th graders of the ORT School in Shlomi. This team, in its 2nd year, is mainly comprised of children who were in The Equalizer program in their elementary schools. Keren works with the children on empowerment, determination, and self-contained esteem through Dror Rubin’s “Sportsmanship” program, which integrates examples, videos and stories from the sport world to instill values. Keren, a coach with expertise in coaching children, shared: "The team is diverse and challenging. We bonded instantly. We are on a journey together where we learn about group responsibility, mutual comradery, and goal setting. I notice small, but gradual changes each time we meet."
Nice to Meet Golan School, Nazzareth Illit
Jonny Tenenboim, the Amakim Regional Manager, told us: “I chose this team due to their incredible progress over the last two years. In the first year, the principal and staff needed to work hard to recruit participants. This year (the second year), due to all the work from last year, the school was able to choose participants from the many who wanted to be in the program. Shimon, the team’s coach, is excellent. The university students, Tzofit and Einav, who run the study center, had a difficult time initially and wanted to stop volunteering at this school, but they worked hard and have really connected with the kids. Their activities are fun and full of energy. They also accompany the kids to all the tournaments.” The team is run in partnership with the Nazareth Ilit Municipality and the Academic College of Emek Yezreel and supported by UJIA.
Ramon School, Mitzpe Ramon
The team, in our most southern location, started two years ago. The wonderful staff is comprised Fanny – the school principal, Ma’ayan - a teacher at the school, who coordinates the program, Eli - the team’s coach, and Tchiya – the study center tutor. Tchiya, who volunteers through the Youth Center in Mitzpe Ramon, told us: “For me, The Equalizer is giving of my time to advance society in the academic realm. I love seeing the children’s love for football unite them and create a terrific team! The kids trust me and have helped build another level of confidence in me.” Avi, the Eastern Negev Regional Manager, explained his choice to highlight the team: “It is a unique and special team. The children make sure to attend the study center sessions no less than at the football practices, and have made incredible progress this year! We saw how the connection with the study center helped the kids tremendously improve in their academic abilities and behavior!”
Nice to Meet Sinai School, Gan Yavne
A religious school, which aims to raise each child with a sense of responsibility, belonging and involvement. The team joined The Equalizer, thanks to its partnership with the local council, and already won the cup in the first tournament! Moti, the head of the football department in Gan Yavne and the team’s coach, is in constant communication with the parents and the school to ensure that the kids advance on all levels. Sonia, studying dentistry at University Tel Aviv, is in charge of the study center. Orit, the school principal, said: “Our school loves this program, which encourages the children to learn while connecting it to football – and develops their emotional, academic and social abilities. We would be thrilled to continue the program in our school. I thank all the partners involved in making this a reality.”
Beit Yatziv, Kiryat Haim
Today, in Kiryat Haim, we meet the 7th-8th grade team in Beit Yatziv's youth club. This is the first year the team is running through The Equalizer, with the wonderful coach Sammy. Itamar, the Carmel Regional Manager, tells us: "Sammy has the most values of all those in the organization in my opinion! But in the last tournament, he coached another team and the captain of this team filled in for him. The team spirit and maturity of the players was clear to everyone." Sammy, a veteran immigrant from Ethiopia, leads the team together with Zohar, the school principal, the team comprised mainly of 2nd generation immigrants from Ethiopia. The strong connection with this common denominator has contributed to the amazing process the youth have experienced with Sammy, a true role model. Beit Yatziv has an additional team of 5th-6th graders which feeds this team, creating a wonderful continuity with The Equalizer program.
