According to a recent study, while 64% of Americans recognize the importance of having a will, only about one-third have actually created one. Many people say they simply haven’t gotten around to it or assume the process is too expensive or complicated.
The reality is that having a will is one of the most important ways to care for the people—and the causes—you love. It provides clarity for your family, ensures your wishes are honored, and gives you the opportunity to decide how the values that have shaped your life will continue to make an impact for generations to come.
August is National Make-A-Will Month, an annual reminder that creating a will isn’t just about planning for the future—it’s about protecting what matters most.
A Legacy of Opportunity
As the Israel Tennis & Education Centers (ITEC) celebrates its 50th anniversary, we’re reflecting on the extraordinary impact that one vision can have across generations.
In 1976, ITEC was founded on a powerful belief: every child deserves the opportunity to thrive—no matter where they come from or what challenges they face.
Tennis has always been our tool, but the mission has never been the game alone.
For five decades, ITEC has helped children build confidence, resilience, a sense of belonging, leadership, and hope. More than 500,000 children have walked through the gates of our centers across Israel. They have come from different backgrounds, communities, and life experiences, but each has arrived with limitless potential waiting to be discovered.
Today, ITEC serves children through 25 strategic locations across Israel, many in underserved communities where access to positive extracurricular opportunities can make a life-changing difference. Our centers are far more than places to play tennis—they are safe, welcoming communities where children develop the skills and confidence they need to navigate life’s challenges.
Looking Toward the Next 50 Years
As we celebrate everything accomplished over the past half-century, we are also looking ahead.
The needs of Israeli children continue to evolve. New programs focused on emotional well-being, resilience, inclusion, education, and community are helping children navigate increasingly complex challenges while preparing them for brighter futures.
The next chapter of ITEC’s story will be written by the supporters who believe every child deserves the same opportunities that inspired our founders fifty years ago. Choosing to include ITEC in your long-term plans helps ensure that future generations of children continue to find safety, belonging, and opportunity through our work.
You don’t need an extraordinary estate to make an extraordinary impact. Even a small percentage of an estate can help ensure that children across Israel continue to have access to the life-changing programs that have defined ITEC for the past 50 years.
A will is ultimately about more than distributing assets—it’s an opportunity to express what matters most to you.
As you observe National Make-A-Will Month, we encourage you to take the important step of creating or updating your will. In doing so, you’ll provide peace of mind for your loved ones while creating the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy for the people and causes you care about most. We want to share two resources that may be helpful as you create or update your estate plans:
To learn more about creating your legacy with the Israel Tennis & Education Centers Foundation, or if you’ve already included ITEC in your plans and would like to let us know, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us at info@itecenters.org.