Nice Chemistry: Taglit-Birthright Israel & Hoops 4 Israel

Since 2007, Canada Israel Experience, the leading trip organizer of Taglit-Birthright Israel in Canada has partnered with the Jewish Agency of Israel to provide volunteer outlets during the trip where participants could learn about the challenges of Ethiopian Olim (immigrants) in both Kiryat Moshe and Bat Yam. The volunteer projects have been a huge success over the past three years, ranging from painting projects to packing gift packages for Israelis serving the IDF.

In June 2007, David Goodman (founder of H4I) had the privilege of bringing his national bus to visit Kiryat Moshe on the final day of their trip and the grand opening of the outdoor sports-court that was built with the funds of Hoops 4 Israel from April 2007. Speeches, dancing and an inaugural basketball game put an explanation mark on this Birthright Israel trip, emphasizing the significance of volunteer work in support of Israel from the Diaspora (outside of Israel).

The inaugural basketball game: Birthright Israel vs. Yechallal sponsored basketball team in Kiryat Moshe

Birthright Israel participants repaint an old post-office in the centre of Kiryat Moshe

Since that initial visit to Kiryat Moshe, Laura Kindler & Leah Biteolin have facilitated over 25 projects with Taglit-Birthright Israel buses, involving 1000+ Canadian Jews in Tikkun Olam (meaning: 'repairing the world') in conjunction with at-risk Ethiopian Israeli youth.

Basketball games are a staple when CIE Birthright Israel trips visit Kiryat Moshe

A CIE Birthright Israel group visits Bat Yam in December 2008

Laura "Superwoman" Kindler, delivers messages to BRI pariticipants and youth of the Kadimah centre in Bat Yam

A visit with a David Goodman bus guarantees a couple case loads of rubber basketballs as a corporate donation from Wilson Canada through Jim Sanderson.

If you have interest in donating tangible goods that can be delivered to children in Bat Yam or Kiryat Moshe, please contact davidg@hoops4israel.com to arrange transferring the merchandise via Birthright Israel trips to our constituents in Israel.

Friend to the Ethiopians: Cabbie on the Street

On a media mission to Israel in July 2007, the Score crew of 'Cabbie on the Street', lead by Cabral Richards and Dave Krikst (Cabbie's Manager & former Birthright Israel leader), joined the Sun sports writer Steve Simmons and Jordan Kerbel of CJC to stop through Kiryat Moshe to learn about the Hoops 4 Israel project. Cabbie & crew were on a mission throughout Israel to cover Israeli sports, but their stop in Kiryat Moshe opened Cabbie's eyes to the social divide amongst the Ethiopian population from many other neighbourhood's in Israel.

Cabbie in the Golan Heights

Kiryat Moshe's outdoor sports court, redeveloped by H4I funding from 2007

Cabbie & crew made it to KM town just after the outdoor sports court was introduced to the community. The sports court was redeveloped with the funds from Hoops 4 Israel 2007 in partnership with the Municipality of Rehovot & the Rashi Foundation. Its flood lights enable night balling and in turn, keeps kids off the streets and engaged in soccer and basketball.

Because Cabbie is known for his charismatic and intriguing interviews of the 'whose who' in the sports world, it was a real treat to have him show the same love for the youth of Kiryat Moshe and the Hoops 4 Israel project that summer. He even made an effort to come the 2008 event and host the shootout contest during half-time. What a guy!

Cabbie interviewing the Lakers, Kobe Bryant later that year

Cabbie interviewing David Goodman, co-founder of Hoops 4 Israel in July 2007

Cabbie's compassion to the Ethiopian-Israeli youth did not end after this brief visit to Kiryat Moshe. Since July 2007, Cabral has sent several boxes of sports apparel to a social worker he met during the visit. Hoops 4 Israel discovered this by chance, but when we learned of his incredible altruism and his desire to give back, we knew the youth of Kiryat Moshe found a new friend in Canada. The Hoops committee invited Cabbie to host the shootout at H4I 2008 and Cabbie brought his energy and humor to lift the event to the next level.

Cabbie with Yitzhak & Moshe during filming in July 2007

Cabbie with Yisrael Desta after he miraculously wins the 3-Point shootout contest

Cabbie with Kirsten Menkes at Hoops 4 Israel 2008 after she wins the womens shootout

Cabbie and Dave Krikst with a crew from Bat Yam with Laura Kindler (Partner of Hoops 4 Israel) in July 2007

Cabral with Leah Biteolin (partner of Hoops 4 Israel)