At the Israel Tennis & Education Centers (ITEC), we believe that young people have the power to make a real difference. Through our “Children to Children” Mitzvah Project program, students and families can support underprivileged children in Israel while creating a deeply personal and impactful experience for themselves.
For Rebecca, a 7th grader at Hommocks Middle School, the choice was deeply personal.
Tennis has always been part of her life, but in recent years it became even more meaningful because of the bond she shared with her grandfather, Stuart Schapiro z”l — lovingly known as “Poppy.”
“Poppy would come watch me play tennis all the time, even when he wasn’t feeling well,” Rebecca shared. “Tennis meant a lot to him; it wasn’t just a sport, it was a way of life for him.”
When her grandfather passed away in February, Rebecca began thinking more seriously about what her Bat Mitzvah would mean to her.
“When he passed away in February, I started thinking about my Bat Mitzvah and what it means to choose this milestone for myself,” she said. “I didn’t have to do it – but I wanted to, for several reasons – because it further connects me to him and to the values he lived by.”
That reflection led Rebecca to ITEC — an organization that held special meaning for her grandfather and one that aligned closely with her own love of tennis and community.
“For me to support the Israel Tennis & Education Centers that were so important to him feels like a meaningful way to honor his memory and help other kids experience the same joy, confidence, and connection that tennis gives me,” she said. “I hope I can carry forward what he gave me and pass it on to others, too.”
Rebecca’s project is a beautiful example of what makes ITEC Mitzvah Projects so powerful. They allow young people to tie their personal passions to a larger purpose and see firsthand how their efforts can impact the lives of other children. Rebecca is helping ensure that more children in Israel have access to the opportunities, mentorship, confidence, and community that ITEC provides every day.
To learn more about ITEC’s “Children to Children” Mitzvah Projects and how to create a personalized project for your Bar or Bat Mitzvah year, contact Yoav Nir at ynir@itecenters.org.
