Hoops 4 Israel: April 2010

Photos by: Giordano Ciampini

EVENT CHAIRS (L-R): Daniel Winberg, Eden Pollock, Aaron Collins, Erin Cohanim, Dave Goodman, Jon Ordon (missing)

Sunday, April 4th, 2010 marked the fourth annual Hoops 4 Israel event held at Toronto's HOOPDOME for a day of bball madness in support of Bat Yam, Israel and the vulnerable Ethiopian-Israeli youth through UJA of Greater TO and BAC. Above, Dan Winberg, Eden Pollock, Jon Ordon (edited in), Erin Cohanim and Dave Goodman (BAC staff) formed the executive committee of the H4I 30+ volunteer organizing committee. Over $102,000 was grossed for this event and over 190 volunteer participants and 56 volunteer committee members and gameday volunteers took part in the day's events.

Men's A Division Winners: Ryan Tevel, Omri Dor, Josh Mann & Paul Ceresne

Women's Division A Winners: Amy Wilchesky, Lesley Suchter, Amanda Suchter and Laura Wilchesky

hold top prize clothing graciously donated by Erin Kleinberg Designs.

Women A Division Runner's Up: Julie Kovac, Elise Kovac, Shayla Diamond (Top Individual Fundraiser), Lisa Smuskowitz.

Men's B Division Champs: Itamar Halevy, Justin Hummel, Gidon Frank, Viktor Vitebski

Event In Kind Sponsor - Jian Magen of Magen Boys Entertainment

Team Riocan: Evan Sadofsky, Corey Shemuel, Jeremy Freedman (Top Individual Fundraiser) and David Mualin.

H4I 2010 Top Individual Fundraisers (L-R): Mikey Singer, Robert Wise, Michelle Masters, Joseph Wise, Dave Isaacman, Jamie Goodman, Jeremy Mack, Evan Taerk, Daniel Sultan, Nicole Plener, Andrew Damelin, Jeremy Freedman, Shayla Diamond & Jason Bitton (1st Place Fundraiser).

Thank you so much for going the extra mile and making H4I reach the next level of fundraising impact in conjunction with UJA & Bat Yam!

Hoops 4 Israel's first Dunk Contest - sponsored by the fundraising efforts of Jam 4 Israel's: Elissa Grossman. Above is Alex Borins dunking over Top Fundraiser Jason Bitton. Below is Evan Taerk - the innaugural 'Jam 4 Israel' Dunk Contest Winner.

H4I's annual 3 ball contest with winner Jesse Solomon sealing the deal in the final round!

H4I Allstar Rookie Volunteer - Sarah Brager through the mesh

A glimpse at part of the prize table - over $32,000 of goods and services were donated in kind by various Toronto companies to help keep H4I costs below 8% of fundraising revenue (our lowest ratio since 2007) and take H4I to the next level with an amazing offering of food, amenities and rewards!

Thank you greatly to all in kind sponsors - your involvement and contribution - big or small made a difference in enhancing our event to reward our volunteer participants for their fundraising efforts!

Above: H4I Founder, Dave Goodman addresses the players and fans.

Below: Team BAC snaps a team shot: Shauna Waltman, Shira Webber & DG.

Ari Ditkofsky (H4I 2009 Top Fundraiser & 2010 Captain Finalist) distributing the rock

Mike Gilbert - H4I Vet throws down a lefty-windmill on the 8ft Jam 4 Israel contest

Jon Corbin of Corbin Visual who donated a huge amount of time and expertise in marketing H4I through video and is capturing the testimonials of Richard Madras (Zerofootprint Ambassador) with Gameday host - Dave Borins on the importance of measuring your consumption and reducing your carbon footprint.

Hoops 4 Israel received carbon offset credits generously donated by Zerofootprint to officially execute a Carbon Neutral event in 2010. Eco-consciousness and sustainability were themes of H4I 2010, as other measures such as water jugs instead of individual plastic water bottles were distributed for hydration. The involvement of a corporate partner in Zerofootprint was a means to educate H4I constituents of the importance to live a sustainable lifestyle and having a lesser impact on the environment through Jewish community events and involvement.