by Jimmy Oswald
For thousands of children, Israel Tennis & Education Centers offer more than sports and academics. All 24 locations across the country serve as a second home for young Jews seeking safety and stability in the wake of war.
On Aug 13, nearly 100 local Jewish community members gathered at Beechmont Country Club in Orange and raised over $147,000 to help support one of the largest social service agencies for children in Israel.
The Israel Tennis & Education Centers was founded 49 years ago by six men, including the late Dr. Bill Lippy of Warren. Most of the centers are located in underprivileged communities and are designed to give children life skills to help them for the future.
It provides tutoring, mental health resources and hot meals, among other services, to upwards of 10,000 children annually regardless of their religion, ethnicity and socioeconomic status according to ITEC’s website.
It was the first of seven locations on the fundraising tour for the six delegates from Israel, who shared stories on how ITEC has impacted their lives before the teens showcased the tennis skills they’ve learned through the program by executing diving hits and vicious backhand saves in front of the attendees.
“We were thrilled to bring the Israeli delegation back to Beechmont,” Michael Doris, a Pepper Pike resident and congregant of B’nai Jeshurun Congregation, also in Pepper Pike, told the Cleveland Jewish News.
He, along with his wife Robyn and Cynthia and Zach Gordon, co-chaired the exhibition, which featured a reception with food from the Solon-based Birdigo food truck.
“And we’re thrilled we can support such a great cause because it really feels like we’re helping shape the future children of Israel through the fundraising that we’re doing,” Doris said. “It warms my heart.”
The tour, which also visited the Cleveland area in 2029, 2021, and 2023, will make stops in New York and one in Minneapolis, Minn.
“It’s a highlight for us to come to Cleveland,” Yoni Yair, vice president of development for ITEC, told the CIN. “We really feel that this is like a family. We come every two years, and I’m always impressed wit how the community is so bonded and how passionate they are about Israel and the work we do.”
The delegation included three 14-year-old tennis players, Elion Shnyderman, Nadav Krauss and Adi Korol, along with Ravid Dorin, a social impact coordinator, Amit Kakon, a coach within ITEC, and Yoav Nir, an alum of the organization.
“The tennis center in Ashkelon is a place where I meet many of my friends and find a safe haven during challenging times,” Shynderman, who is from Kibbutz Bar’am told the crowd at the event. He lived just four miles from the border with Gaza and was forced to evacuate to the Tel Aviv area with his family for a year. “Although the change was very challenging, our tennis manager provided incredible support by helping me find this program to maintain my daily routine.”
Korol, from Ofakim in the Southern District of Israel, shared the sentiment that the ITEC has become a safe space since the war began and greatly impacted her family’s lifestyle.
“Since Oct. 7, things have been very tough,” she told attendees. “My dad has been serving in the army for a long time, more than 500 days, and my mom was busy working. But the tennis center was a safe haven for me, always there to support me and make me smile. My dream is to play tennis in big competitions around the world and represent Israel proudly.”
Honorary co-chairs included Stacey and Adam Berebitsky, Carmie and Todd Stein, and Marcy Schwartz and Dr. Dan Simon.
“I’ve just been glad to be a part of this and help out whatever way I can,” Berebitsky, a Solon resident and congregant of Park Synagogue in Pepper Pike, told CIN. “It’s amazing to see (the delegates) in an environment so different than theirs and see that they’re able to interact because of what they get at the ITEC centers. They’re mature and able to thrive in whatever they do.”
Among those on hand to hear the success of the ITEC overseas were Tamar and Milton Maltz, co-founders of the Maltz Museum in Beachwood, who were part of the 41-member host committee.
“The Jewish people in this community have done so much to adbance the strength of the church, and as such they have become outstanding Americans,” Tamar Maltz told the CJN. “The United States is pleased and proud to hav ethe Jewish people as members of this organization.”
The event had already raised $60,000 before it even began. During the exhibition, however, Simon announced that he and Schwartz, his wife – along with David and Becky Heller and the Steins, all neighbors on Rydalwood Lane in Moreland Hills who call themselves the “Mishpacha Rydalwood,” using the Hebrew word for “family” – would each be donation $18,000 per could to push the total past the $100,000 mark.
“(ITEC) is one the shining jewels of social service in Israel,” Simon, a congregant of Park Synagogue and Beachwood Kehilla, told the CJN. “We’re so lucky that we can help in some little way. It’s estimated that somewhere between 25 to 40% of the children live in poverty in Israel. (ITEC) is their home away from home.”
To donate to ITEC, visit itecenters.org/donate.