By: David Israel
February 4, 2026
A first-of-its-kind program has been launched at the Israel Tennis & Education Center in Jerusalem, combining Torah study with tennis. The program introduces Haredi youth to sports while providing an educational experience beyond the usual frameworks.
As part of the initiative, sixth-grade students from Jerusalem take part in weekly professional training sessions at ITEC. The sessions are led by the center’s coaches, and alongside athletic instruction, students learn and engage with the values and teachings of the weekly Torah portion. In this way, participants enjoy an experience that blends physical activity with Jewish education.
The initiative was born from the understanding that it is important to provide Haredi youth with a safe and appropriate sports environment that encourages them to explore tennis. Training sessions take place during school hours to ensure that all students can participate, with students returning to their schools at the end of each session.
The Israel Tennis & Education Centers, recognized for promoting equal opportunities in sports and education for children across Israel and its periphery, partnered on the program with Gol Al Hashem, an organization that connects sports and Judaism in the Haredi sector. The program integrates Torah study with the weekly portion, and ITEC coaches have received specialized training from Gol Al Hashem to deliver Torah content alongside athletic instruction with sensitivity to the participants’ needs.
This is the program’s first year of operation, with plans to expand in the future, offering more Haredi children the chance to enjoy sports while participating in a high-quality, enriching educational experience through tennis.
Ilan Allali, CEO of the Israel Tennis & Education Centers Foundation, said, “At Israel Tennis & Education Centers, we believe that every child in Israel deserves access to sport and education without barriers of geography, religion, or socio-economic status. Our mission is to make tennis a gateway to opportunity, growth, and self-confidence for every young person. Programs like this one reflect our core belief that sport and education together can empower children, strengthen communities, and contribute to a shared society.”
Ephraim Fine, Social Impact Programs Coordinator at ITEC Jerusalem, said, “We are proud to be the first in Jerusalem, together with Gol Al Hashem, to lead a program that combines tennis and Torah content for Haredi youth. This program was developed in response to the needs of the Haredi sector, based on the belief that sports can be an educational, value-driven, and accessible tool for every child. The connection between physical activity, Torah values, and positive experiences outside the classroom creates a meaningful impact on participants, and we see this as a crucial mission, especially in a city like Jerusalem.”
Ziv Oson, Founder and CEO of the Gol Al Hashem Association, added, “We are happy to expand our activities into new fields and continue promoting a healthy lifestyle in the Haredi sector, aiming to bring more children and youth into the sports circle.”