Deep Roots: Walden & Hoops 4 Israel

If you were part of a pick-up basketball game at Camp Walden during the years of 1994 to 2009 there is a strong likelihood that you have contributed to Hoops 4 Israel based on the tight network that has stemmed from love of the game out of Palmer Rapids, Ontario. For the past 4 years, Sol Birenbaum and Howie Grosinger, have been long-standing sponsors and supporters of this charitable initiative. "The friendships that we made and lessons that we developed to sports were fostered at Walden and amazingly translated into philanthropy for the Toronto Jewish community and Israel, years after our Walden days" remarks Daniel Winberg (2010 H4I Team Management Chair).

Walden Inter-Camp Bball team (1998) - H4I volunteers make up the core of this roster

Sol Birenbaum, Walden Director and part-owner, has been actively fostering his Walden alumni network since his tenure with the camp began in 2003. Upon developing tremendous relationships with some of these staff, he noted the synergy amongst some of his most faithful Walden alum and their involvement with the Hoops 4 Israel charitable initiative. As an alumnus of CHAT and an avid-sports fan, Sol has brought H4I into his corporate social responsibility portfolio for the camp. The commonality of helping at-risk youth in Israel and running a summer camp that provides life-long experiences that allow youth to reach their full potential is something that resonates deeply with Sol and Howie. The fact that active Walden alumni can find a connection and provide significant support to the Jewish community in Toronto and Israel makes the partnership that much more meaningful .

Sol Birenbaum, President & CEO of Walden since 2003

The foundation of volunteer and professional support, from left: Daniel Winberg (Past Unit-head / Walden Camper of 10+ years), David Katz (Past Head of Ski / Walden Camper of 10+ years), David Goodman (Past staff member / Camper of 10+ years) and Aaron Collins (Past Unit-head / Leadership team member / Alumni Reunion Committee Volunteer / Camper of 10+ years) demonstrate their commitment to Jewish community after years of personal growth at Walden. Several other volunteers of H4I who spent their formative years at Walden include: Michael Binder, Jon Goldfarb, Brandon Pike, Jamie Goodman, Emily Goodman, Rob Trager, Luke Cole, Jamie Collins, Dave Borins, Dave Rotchtin, Mike Gilbert, Aron Brager and Josh Lerner.

Walden has been able to lift the Hoops 4 Israel charitable intiative to amazing fundraising levels, contributing as a corporate team sponsor in 2007 where H4I raised $100,250, 2008: $131,000 and 2009: $98,200. Walden has committed to be a team sponsor in 2010 to further solidify this partnership. As cliche a basketball term as we can find is only fitting to describe the Hoops 4 Israel partnership with Walden...a Slam Dunk!

Hoops 4 Israel Exec Crew 2010

"It's all right to aim high if you have plenty of ammunition" -Hawley R. Everhart

That is how we feel with Hoops 4 Israel, lofty goals on a yearly basis, but plenty of fire power in our volunteers to make it happen. H4I is privileged to have buy-in from some of the most capable and dedicated young volunteers in the Toronto Jewish Community.

Aaron Collins (28), joined the H4I committee in 2007 to help plan and implement its inaugural event. Since then, Aaron has been extremely active in the planning process and took on Gameday operations chair in March 2009. A 2005 Birthright Israel alumnus, Aaron has made a significant impact on the Hoops squad through his years of volunteerism with us, and continues that trend by heading up Gameday ops in 2010 (contact: aaronc@hoops4israel.com)

Daniel Winberg (27), has been part of the H4I faithful, planning and playing in the event since 2007. In 2008, Dan was a top-individual fundraiser and furthered his involvement in the community by Chairing the annual One Family Fund bike-a-thon to support Israeli victims of terror. A Birthright Israel alumnus of 2004, Dan is spearheading the team management division of H4I 2010. To register a team with us, please contact danielw@hoops4israel.com.

Jon Ordon (27), joined H4I in 2009 and made a significant impact in his first year as part of the in-kind sponsorship division, leading H4I to have its largest amount of rewards for top fundraisers and winning teams since our beginning. Jon is heading up this division again in 2010 and is looking for volunteers to help enhance our event by obtaining goods that can be used to reward our amazing volunteer participants. Jon can be reached at jonathano@hoops4israel.com.

Ari Ditkofksy (26), is the newest member of the executive crew of Hoops 4 Israel 2010. Having returned from his Birthright Israel trip in August 2009 and having spent a week with Ethiopian-Israeli youth, Ari is ready to make an impact through Hoops 4 Israel channels in 2010. A player and committee member, Ari brings an innovative and enthusiastic approach to Jewish fundraising that will set a new standard of how fundraising events are conducted in the Toronto scene moving forward. To connect with Ari, please send him an email to arid@hoops4israel.com to ask how you can get involved with his help.

Team Post of Birthright Israel Alumni Community (BAC): Lior Cyngiser (29), Shira Webber (29), Shauna Waltman (29), Dave Goodman (27) have been the staff-arm of Hoops 4 Israel since 2007. H4I is a grassroots initiative that has used the guidance and support of BAC since its inception of planning in 2006. For more information about the plethora of initiatives and programming that BAC executes on a monthly basis, please visit www.bactoronto.com.