B’nai B’rith International, in partnership with the Majdal Shams municipality and the Israel Football Association, announced football coaching scholarships for three young coaches from the Golan Druze villages of Mas’ada and Majdal Shams.
The initiative launched by B’nai B’rith on Dec. 11 honors the memory of 12 Druze children killed on July 27 when a Hezbollah rocket fired from Lebanon hit a football field in the Golan village of Majdal Shams while the children were practicing.
These scholarships will enable the coaches–relatives of the murdered children–to receive advanced coaching training and certification accredited by the Israel Football Association.
“The project includes training local coaches who will connect children and youth to a sport that symbolizes joy, hope and community strength,” said Dolan Abu Salah, a local council head in Majdal Shams.
The coaches “will give children and youth a sense of stability and security, restore the positive spirit to the community and form the basis for a future full of hope,” he said, adding that “this is a significant step in restoring the spirit and resilience of our children.”
The program will culminate in a graduation ceremony and sports exhibition following the two-month course, which began on Dec. 11.
“Upon completing their training, the coaches will return to their villages to train local children, fostering resilience and healing in the wake of unimaginable loss and a year marked by conflict,” said Alan Schneider, director of B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem.
“It is our distinct honor to partner with the Association and the Municipality in realizing this flagship program.”
Funding for the scholarships is provided by the B’nai B’rith International Israel Emergency Fund.
“The terrible tragedy that took the lives of 12 youngsters, who were simply enjoying the sport they loved most, demands mobilization for rehabilitation and growth,” said Israel Football Association CEO Niv Goldstein. “The association has engaged in this issue in several unique ways, and this program is among the most moving.”