Jan 1, 2017 - Studying education and society at the Ono Academic College. She tu- tors the Innovative School׳s team in
TheEqualizer January 2017
MAGAZINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Stories from the Field 4 Volunteer of the Week 6 Nice to Meet
PICTURE OF THE MONTH This vibrant photo was taken in Israel’s capital, Jerusalem, where the first tournament of the year took place with schools from all over the city. The picture was featured on The Equalizer’s Instagram and Facebook.
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Stories from the Field The Ofarim School’s team in Jerusalem had an exciting visit by Réver, the Brazilian footballer and captain of the Flamengo football club. Together with his wife, the player visited Israel with the singer Fernanda Brum and her husband. She has sold over 6 million CDs in Brazil and won the Latin Grammy Awards.
Our most veteran team at the Noam Neriya School in Lod has a study center managed by three computer students Moshe, Shlomo, and Hunanao - who are volunteering in partnership with the student village of Ayalim Association in Lod.
At our Central Region's first tournament of the year in Yafo, we had special guests: four British Members of Parliament (John Mann MP, Nusrat Ghani MP, Craig Williams MP, Craig Whittaker MP) - who were in Israel on a delegation about fighting antisemitism and racism. They learned about The Equalizer, photographed with the participants, and even played with them. In
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The Equalizer - Education on Top
Stories from the Field At the Bir El Amir School's team in Nazareth, the young players watched the short film "Make the Difference." The tutors said they watched the film to increase the kids' motivation in their studies, football, and in life in general!
One of the study center activities at the Ein Hayam school's team in Haifa was dedicated to addressing racism in sport through the film 'Colors of Hatred'. The tutors, Lior and Yariv, helped the kids feel what it is like to be the victims of curses and racist abuse.
The Ohel Meir school in Afula became so involved in the success of the program that they have assigned one of their teachers, Marva, to run the team's study center which functions extremely well and the kids are advancing in a variety of subjects thanks to him!
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 Hani Abramov. Studying Governm ent and Society at the Tel Aviv-Yafo Academic College and tutors at the Ba’al Shem Tov school’s team in southern Tel Aviv. She volunteers in partnership with the Rothschild Ambassadors program. Learning to deal with children that have attention and concentration issues, and often don’t cooperate after a long day of school is a major challenge she deals with. An additional challenge is teaching school work in an interesting and fun way with games. Why The Equalizer? Hani: “For me, teaching English is a way to get close to kids and be involved in education. I love these areas and The Equalizer makes it possible.” Omer, our Center Regional Manager, said “Hani is creative and patient with the kids and is always thinking how to contribute more.” Tal, Ilan, Avi, and Oria. This terrific staff is volunteering through our new partnership with the Ru'ach Nachon Mechina, advancing pluralism, dialogue and communal action in Jerusalem. They tutor in the study center of one of our veteran schools in the Jerusalem Region, the Ge’ulim School, which is in its 5th year with The Equalizer. Even though it’s only been two months since the team began, the tutors and participants have already gone through quite a meaningful process. The children were initially unwilling to participate in any activities not connected to football. However, in the last few weeks, thanks to the cooperation with the entire staff - including the team’s coaches - and the tutors' love for the In picture: kids, the team has started to gel and the kids Opening Tournament Invitation now look forward to each activity.Tomorrow th the Jerusalem tournament of the year will take place. The devoted tutors will Thursday, April 14Region’s , 2016 infirst Afula be using their Chanuka vacation at the mechina to accompany the children to the tournament.
Volunteer of the Week Aya Mokverashvily. Studies com m unications at Sapir College and volunteers as a tutor in the study center at the Alfasi School in Dimona, through the Perach program. Her biggest challenge so far has been handling disciplinary problems, and with time, she has learned how to respond in each situation. One of her successes is feeling more connected to the children and, as a result, the disciplinary problems have lessened. Aya told us, “The Equalizer is a window of opportunity for the children and the tutors, and not just another place to pass time. We experience things together with the kids and overcome challenges together.” Avi Buchbut, the Eastern Negev Regional Manager, shared, “It is Aya’s first year with us. She gives her all to the program and the participants, together with her staff Tal, Maor and Ya’ara.”
In picture: Opening Tournament Invitation Thursday, April 14th, 2016 in Afula
Waad Mansour. Studying education and society at the Ono Academic College. She tutors the Innovative School’s team in her hometown, Daliat el Carmel. The start of the year was challenging - there were no football practices yet, making it very difficult to work with the kids in the study center, plus she volunteers on her own. Why volunteer with The Equalizer? Waad says “I love working with children. It’s fun to see how much they love football, and to encourage them to study through the sport. It’s an amazing combination.” Itamar, our Carmel Regional Manager, shared: “Waad is a responsible volunteer, always prepared to jump in to help, connected to the program’s goals and the school staff. When she is in the classroom, you can be sure that there will be beneficial and meaningful activities.”
Nice to Meet Darchei Noam, Katzrin
The Darchei Noam School’s team has been with The Equalizer for three years. Aside from improving the football skills of the children, the school stresses respect and academic achievement. At the first tournament of the year, the team reached the semi-finals and demonstrated a lot of character – mental strength and mutual help. A huge thank you to the school principal, Gil, the coach, Alex, and their teachers - Tamar, Oren and Itzik – who help make this team what it is. Thanks also to the Katzrin City Council for its support.
Elwadi, Jisr az-Zarka
The Elwadi School’s team is from the town Jisr az-Zarka (just north of Ceasarea). Jisr az-Zarka is 180 year-old village, and one of the poorest in the country. The village is named after the German caesar when a bridge was built over the river below it for the caesar to visit the village in 1898. Talal Amash, the team’s coach, told us “These kids never had an afternoon framework before The Equalizer came to our town – this is the first time we are being offered a program by people from outside of our town. It’s amazing!” Itamar, the Carmel Regional Manager said, “It is always a challenge to be the first organization to bring a program to a town, but we are very impressed by the local partners who are helping make this a success. A special thank you to our supporters and partners: Bloom Foundation and City without Violence.”
Nice to Meet Ort, Lod
Our high school program aims to create continuity for the players in the elementary and middle schools. During this year, the players participate in weekly activities including football practices and a course in "sportsmanship", where they undergo activities on empowerment, leadership, social involvement and mutual responsibility. In addition, the participants are integrated as coach assistants for the younger teams through the Israeli national 10th grade obligatory volunteer program. The coach and counselor for this team is Matan Brisker, a sport teacher at the school. At the end of this year, the top students will be trained as certified football coaches, and will be integrated as staff for The Equalizer in 11th and 12th grade. What's amazing is that since it's our 5th (!) year in Lod, some of the kids in this team, participated in the program when they were in 5th or 6th grade!
Begin, Rehovot
The Begin School's team in Rehovot is a brand new team. Sammy, the coach, is a veteran coach with The Equalizer. This year he took upon himself the task of establishing this team. At the first tournament of the year for the Shfela Region, the team reached the finals and came in 2nd place. The study center tutors – Nomi and Kama – belong to a special National Service group, due to their musical talents (Nomi plays the flute and Kama plays the cajon). Between their music lessons and their work in the school, they also found time to volunteer in our study center. Orna Shemer, the school principal, said “At Begin we discover a world and the person….The Equalizer is a program that enables the children to express their abilities in football and at the same time to increase their ability and motivation for improving academically. It’s important to note the amazing cooperation we have with the team’s coach, who does so much for the children. The children really enjoy and there is wonderful feedback from them.”
