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)

Yitzhak Adgo: A Champion of Kiryat Moshe

In 2008 we had the great pleasure of meeting a young gentleman from the Ethiopian-Israeli community of Kiryat Moshe. Yitzhak (Takelle), defines Leadership. His diligence and success stems from the classroom to the basketball court, setting an example to his peers and family at the age of 19. Yitzhak recently joined the IDF, patrolling the Israeli north at the border with Lebanon.

Yitzhak was one of two Ethiopian boys selected to fly to Canada and join us to roll out Hoops 4 Israel 2008 at the Hoopdome. Yitzhak and his close friend Yisrael Desta were selected for their excellence in school and leadership in the community. Their Toronto trip was whirlwind, hitting major tour sites across the GTA, chilling with Cabbie on the Street of the Score, experiencing Canadian shabbat dinner and other fine cuisine and most importantly, participating and speaking at Hoops 4 Israel.

These boys were basketball fanatics and knew everything about the NBA, so this was a real thrill. The Hoops Committee was able to get them great seats in the ACC for the Raps vs. Nuggets to see their boy, Allen Iverson.

With UJA past-Chair, Fran Sonshine at the event.

Truly an experience of a lifetime for Yitzhak & Y'Israel

(click here to read their testimonies)

Yitzhak represents a success story of the Ethiopian-Israeli Olim (immigrants) that have been assimilating into Israeli society since the 1980's. Although he was raised in a low socio-economic neighbourhood, Kiryat Moshe, Yitzhak has leveraged the social services and education system to rise up and succeed. He also has some serious game on the ball court! A devoted member of the community-based Yechalal basketball program that was sponsored by Hoops 4 Israel with the 2007 funds, Yitzhak's growing success is now a piece of our success as well!

Keep up the great work protecting our Jewish homeland Yitzhak!! You are a true Champion!