This June, the Israel Tennis & Education Centers Foundation (ITECF) held a seven-city event series across the United States—Short Hills, Brooklake and Englewood, N.J.; Westhampton, N.Y.; Rhode Island; Chicago; Philadelphia; and Los Angeles—rallying support for Israeli youth and highlighting the ongoing need to assist those affected by war.
The critical work of Israel Tennis & Education Centers (ITEC) in supporting the children of Israel, especially since Oct. 7, 2023, took on renewed urgency following the recent 12-day war with Iran, underscoring the importance of continued support.
Among the delegation were inspiring young players who shared their stories during the events.
Amit, a 14-year-old from Ashkelon, was evacuated from his home with his family after Oct. 7. “The tennis center became my second home,” he shared.
Wisam, a Bedouin 15-year-old from Beersheva, spoke with pride about the diversity at his center: “We’re a team of Jewish, Muslim and Christian children playing and learning together.”
Makdes, a 16-year-old second-generation Ethiopian participant, described how the Jerusalem center shaped her identity and became a lasting source of guidance.
And Miley, a 12-year-old living near the Gaza Strip, spoke about the challenges of growing up in Israel’s south and her dream of representing Israel on the international tennis stage.
Throughout the month, ITECF brought together around 700 attendees from communities across the United States for powerful and personal experiences. Each event featured the delegation of young athletes from the Israel Tennis & Education Centers, who impressed audiences with their tennis skills in exhibition matches and moved them with compelling stories of resilience, growth and hope.
While the event cycle was filled with hope and optimism for ITECF’s impact on Israeli youth, it ended under a cloud of uncertainty due to the outbreak of war between Israel and Iran. For the first time in 50 years, ITECF’s youth delegation found themselves stranded in the United States, unable to return home as planned. More than a week later, they were able to reunite with their families in Israel via a rescue flight.
This series of events held particular significance as ITEC continues its critical work supporting Israeli children on their path to recovery, especially in the wake of recent violence that has deeply affected communities across the country. Since Oct. 7, and throughout the conflict with Iran, the Israel Tennis & Education Centers have served as sanctuaries of stability, providing trauma counseling, mental-health support, and safe spaces for connection and normalcy.
In the face of continued uncertainty, ITEC is helping preserve the essence of childhood in a nation still grappling with trauma.
Yoni Yair, ITECF executive vice president of Development, stated: “This cycle was filled with a lot of emotions. On one hand, it was an incredible opportunity to visit many beautiful states and share our organization’s remarkable impact on children from Israel in the wake of Oct. 7. But on the other hand, the war with Iran brought new uncertainty, leaving our delegation stranded in the United States at the conclusion of the cycle. During this time, I was incredibly impressed by their maturity and resilience. The strength and character displayed by our young ambassadors stood as a powerful testament to the children we nurture and a profound reminder of the importance of our mission to empower and support Israel’s youth.”