The annual event for the ITC’s children at risk is scheduled for May 28 at the Israel Tennis Center – Haifa. Following the success of last year’s event at the ITC – Akko, organizers expect to attract over 150 children representing different programs from around the country.

The event is sponsored by Lacoste, which supports the “Embrace” Program in Akko, as well as the Pentland Company, the Ben Dror Group, the Municipality of Haifa, the Sportan Haifa and the Israel Tennis Centers. Veronique Smondack Lacoste, the granddaughter of Rene Lacoste, who founded the clothing company and was a legendary tennis player, will honor the event with her presence.

Last year’s award ceremony

Children from the Israel Tennis Centers in Akko, Haifa, Kiryat Shmona, Tiberias, Yokneam and Jaffa will participate in the special day. They will arrive at the center in Haifa at 9:30am and will compete in a variety of different games, including tennis, athletics, basketball, football, handball, golf, spinning and kick boxing. Following the morning activities, the children will go to the sports club for the awards ceremony and to swim.

“I am so proud that such an event is taking place in our city, at the ITC – Haifa, which has been educating tens of thousands of children through tennis for over 30 years”, said Yona Yahav, Mayor of Haifa. “This will be an amazing experience for children from low socio-economic backgrounds. I thank everyone involved for all their efforts and their desire to help these children”.

The “Embrace” Program represents the ITC’s most comprehensive and holistic initiative for children at risk. It combines sport, recreational activities, social workshops and mentoring with the goal of increasing the participants’ attendance in school. At the same time, the program helps to enhance their levels of confidence, reduce violence and self-destructive behavior while contributing to their general well being and happiness. Over the years, the Embrace Program has turned countless lives around, helping children at risk to replace “risk” with “reward”.

Elad Gevandschnaider with his award

ITC’s social impact programs, including those for developmentally challenged and physically handicapped children, have significantly improved the lives of many participants like Elad. Children in the program benefit from a structured physical routine in the company of caring and professional coaches. Once introverted and without any direction, the ITC experience dramatically changed Elad’s life by teaching life skills that have been invaluable on and off the court. Not only has Elad won multiple Special Olympic medals around the world, he was also the first player with special needs to travel to the United States and represent the Israel Tennis Centers by participating in exhibition matches to raise funds.

Elad’s father, an immigrant from Poland, proudly reflected on how much Elad had changed, thanks to the Israel Tennis Centers. “My son has become more disciplined, confident and sociable.” ITC International President, Larry Greenspon, from Chicago agreed, noting that “since Elad started playing at the ITC in 2004, he has become an independent young man, traveling to the center by bus, competing in many Special Olympics tournaments across the world and winning Gold medals. Building independent life skills is an important goal for all young adults, especially for those like Elad, where the acquisition of such skills is best taught through real world experiences.”

Elad with his parents and his commander

Emotions ran high during the 65th IDF anniversary event, as the overflow crowd applauded for all of the award recipients, saving its loudest cheering for their very special soldier with Down’s Syndrome, Elad. The thunderous ovation did not stop until the Brigade Commander walked over to personally congratulate Elad for his achievement. Following the ceremony, it was announced that Elad’s parents had dedicated his award to the Israel Tennis Centers in recognition of the tremendous impact that the ITC has had on his life and thousands of other young people over the past 36 years.

About the Israel Tennis Centers Foundation:
The Israel Tennis Centers Foundation (ITC) is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization that has worked for over 36 years to enhance the social, psychological, and physical development of Israeli youth through the medium of sport. Most ITC Centers are located in disadvantaged neighborhoods or outlying development towns throughout Israel, from Kiryat Shmona on the Lebanese border in the North to Beer Sheva bordering the Negev Desert in the South. There are 21,000 children in the program.

Edan Leshem during the trophy ceremony

Leshem, seeded 5th, didn’t lose a set during the whole tournament. On his way to the title, he beat Stefan Milicivic of Serbia, Israeli Yasha Zemel, and Cypriot first seed Michail Pervolarakis in the early rounds. In the semifinal, the 16 year old, beat the ITC – Ramat Hasharon’s Noam Mazor and in the final he overcame Ben Patael 6-4 6-3. Leshem then teamed up with his fellow ITC Tennis Academy player, Yehonatan Kaufman, to win the boys’ doubles title. The girls title was won by Fanny Stollar from Hungary, who beat Brit Emily Arbuthnott 6-1 6-0 in the final.

During the finals, the ITC – Haifa, threw a big party for families, which included activities for the parents and for the children. Around 300 people came to participate, and had fun with giant blow up dolls, bouncy castles, and tennis. At the end, there was a tombola with prizes including a mountain bike and a tablet. Next week, the ITC – Beer Sheva will also host a Junior ITF Tournament.

The Winners

About The Israel Tennis Centers Foundation (“ITC”):
The ITC is a non-profit organization (formerly known as The Israel Children’s Centers is a 501 (c)) that works to enhance the social, psychological and physical development of Israeli children through the medium of sport. We provide a healthy and structured environment for children from all walks of life, teaching values of cooperation, persistence and tolerance. Thirty-five years after the inauguration of the first Israel Tennis Center in Ramat Hasharon, the ITC has expanded throughout Israel and has nurtured and empowered more children and adults than the original founders could have ever dreamed. Currently one of the largest social-service agencies for children in Israel, the ITC operates 14 Centers throughout Israel’s periphery within socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. The Centers are complete with cutting edge facilities and tennis courts that serve over 20,000 children. For additional background please visit: http://www.israeltenniscenters.org

All the winners

Pavel Smidotzkich from the ITC – Beer Sheva won the boys U-14 tournament, with Uri Asidon (Ramat Hasharon) ending in third place. Shelly Krolitzky from the ITC – Jaffa, won the girls U-14 title by beating Noa Lasri in the final.

Riva Hondiashvili, from the ITC – Jerusalem won the girls U-12 championship and Adi Dagan from the ITC – Beer Sheva won the boys U-10 title.

About The Israel Tennis Centers Foundation (“ITC”):
The ITC is a non-profit organization (formerly known as The Israel Children’s Centers is a 501 (c)) that works to enhance the social, psychological and physical development of Israeli children through the medium of sport. We provide a healthy and structured environment for children from all walks of life, teaching values of cooperation, persistence and tolerance. Thirty-five years after the inauguration of the first Israel Tennis Center in Ramat Hasharon, the ITC has expanded throughout Israel and has nurtured and empowered more children and adults than the original founders could have ever dreamed. Currently one of the largest social-service agencies for children in Israel, the ITC operates 14 Centers throughout Israel’s periphery within socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. The Centers are complete with cutting edge facilities and tennis courts that serve over 20,000 children. For additional background please visit: http://www.israeltenniscenters.org

03/27/2013 00:35

The almost endless talk about promoting peace and co-existence between Israelis and Arabs through sports is all very nice and good.

However, it is the actions of top athletes such as Younes El Aynaoui that really make a difference.

As far as El Aynaoui is concerned, he is just doing a close friend a favor while having a good time.

But by coming to Israel for a week to train with young local players and give Israel Tennis Centers Professional Director Harel Levy some outside advice, El Aynaoui is sending a perfect message of how sports can render meaningless differences of both borders and religions.

The 41-year-old Moroccan reached a career-best tennis ranking of No. 14 in the world in March 2003, winning five ATP titles in an injury plagued career.

He became the oldest player since Jimmy Connors to win an ATP Tour match when he made a comeback to play in the Qatar Open three years ago and is perhaps best remembered for his 21- 19 fifth-set defeat to Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 2003, at the time setting the record for the longest fifth set in Grand Slam history (since surpassed by the Wimbledon 2010 marathon between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut.) The Rabat native currently lives in France, but remains one of the most popular people in Morocco, receiving a gold medal – the nation’s highest sporting honor – from King Mohammed VI, with the center court of the Royal Tennis Club in Marrakech also being named after El Aynaoui.

Since being officially named as the professional director of the Israel Tennis Centers in December, Levy hasn’t left a stone unturned in his quest to maximize the local infrastructure, which currently totals 14 centers across the country and over 21,000 active participants.

Levy and El Aynaoui became friends on tour long ago, with the Moroccan sharing a special relationship with many Israeli players, including Eyal Ran, Noam Okun, Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich.

Levy asked El Aynaoui if he would be interested in coming to Israel to play with the country’s up-andcoming players and give the coaches some tips, while also advising his friend on what else could be done to improve the future of the local game.

El Aynaoui happily accepted the invitation and he has been very impressed with what he’s seen.

“I knew the facilities because I came here in 2003 for one month to practice with [Moroccan Davis Cup teammate] Hicham Arazi before the Australian Open, but I’m still really impressed,” El Aynaoui told me earlier this week.

“They have a psychologist, good coaches and the best conditions for juniors and the next generations.”

Despite the relative dearth in young Israeli talent of the highest level, El Aynaoui believes it won’t be long before local tennis has worthy successors to Dudi Sela and Shahar Pe’er.

“I’ve seen it with my eyes. I’ve been playing with all the young players and there’s a really good level between the ages of 12 and 18,” he said.

“It’s pure fun for me to be here and try and give them a hand to help raise some champions here.”

El Aynaoui currently runs a social project in Morocco, while also acting as an advisor to the Minister of Sports in his homeland.

El Aynaoui is hoping for a greater cooperation between Israeli and Moroccan tennis and sees no reason why sports can’t be used as a platform for better relations between Israelis and Arabs.

“I grew up in the sports world so we are very far away from all the outside problems,” he said. “These are not my pretensions. However, I hope that people will understand that we all get along in the sports family and that they shouldn’t interfere.”

El Aynaoui is happy he accepted Levy’s invite and is hoping to help him make “something good even better”.

Although he believes expectations in Israel are slightly too high.

“The tennis world is very small,” he explained.

“There is a place for very few players. You have nations like England with a Grand Slam tournament and also thousands of people playing tennis and they are struggling and only have Andy Murray.

“There are a lot of countries that have this problem.”

With Pe’er and Sela floundering and Ram and Erlich entering the twilight of their career, it is easy to feel discouraged regarding the state of the local game.

However, El Aynaoui has little doubt that Israeli tennis is moving in the right direction.

“Hard work always pays and that is what they are doing here,” he said. “They don’t miss any details here so I’m sure the results will come.

“I think Israeli tennis has a bright future. I’ve seen some kids who have something and if they have the opportunity and resources, I think in the future we will see good players from Israel.”

Edith Cohen Mintz was the mother of Tanhum, the legendary Maccabi Tel Aviv and Israeli National Team basketball player and Shaul Cohen Mintz. Edith was a former Israeli Champion and pioneer of Israeli tennis and her daughter, Mara, a former Fed Cup player and coach to many talented children in their formative years.

Shir and Yaren with Tanhum and Shaul Cohen Mintz

The scholarships are awarded to two U-16 girls to assist with tournament trips abroad and tennis equipment. Previous Cohen Mintz scholarship winners include Nikol Saveljev (Ramat Hasharon), Alona Pushkarrevsky (Haifa), Yarin Ben Ami (Beer Sheva), Valeria Nikolaev (Haifa), Lee Levy (ITC Haifa), Katya Krivoshapov (ITC Tel Aviv), Or Meir (ITC Haifa), Angelika Aliev (ITC Beer Sheva), Greta Skripnik (ITC Jaffa), Rona Levian (ITC Ramat Hasharon), Noy Mor (ITC Ashkelon) and Ofir Morag (ITC Kiryat Shmona). Three years ago, the scholarships were awarded to players from Ethiopian descent.

The Ceremony in 2007

The Ceremony in 2008

The Ceremony in 2009

The Ceremony in 2010

The Ceremony in 2011

The Ceremony in 2012

About The Israel Tennis Centers Foundation (“ITC”):
The ITC is a non-profit organization (formerly known as The Israel Children’s Centers is a 501 (c)) that works to enhance the social, psychological and physical development of Israeli children through the medium of sport. We provide a healthy and structured environment for children from all walks of life, teaching values of cooperation, persistence and tolerance. Thirty-five years after the inauguration of the first Israel Tennis Center in Ramat Hasharon, the ITC has expanded throughout Israel and has nurtured and empowered more children and adults than the original founders could have ever dreamed. Currently one of the largest social-service agencies for children in Israel, the ITC operates 14 Centers throughout Israel’s periphery within socio-economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. The Centers are complete with cutting edge facilities and tennis courts that serve over 20,000 children. For additional background please visit: http://www.israeltenniscenters.org

Israel Tennis Centers Foundation International Chairman, Larry Greenspon, today announced an emergency program to build bomb shelters in 11 centers. “Just last week rockets were launched once again into the heart of Israel, putting our centers, children and staff at risk. We have an obligation to make sure that within 15 seconds of the sirens going off everyone can get into a shelter.”

Alan Goldner, President of the Israel Tennis Center Foundation commented from his New Jersey office, “we began to realize in November when the terrorists launched rockets that were able to reach Tel-Aviv that in fact no area of the country is safe and we needed a plan to keep our Centers open and safeguard our children. We can’t tell the kids to go home. We need to protect them where they are and do everything possible to stop the rockets from disrupting the lives of our children. Our national program is about providing safety, normalcy and routine for the kids. The children as well as their parents need to know we can protect them during these uncertain times.”

One of the innovative fund raising ideas the Tennis Centers plans to implement is to provide donors with the opportunity to support both the building of the bomb shelters and placing their photographs in the shelters so they will be present in the shelters with the children. Jackie Glodstein, Vice President of Global Development noted, “we want the children to know that as they enter the bomb shelters that we are sheltering them with our love.”

The forthcoming Israel Tennis Center Exhibitions in South Florida will focus their efforts on raising funds for the building of 47 bomb shelters. The “Shelter our children with Love from America” campaign is projected to cost $500,000. Ms. Glodstein further commented, “with the situation in Syria continuing to deteriorate and rockets once again being launched from Gaza it is imperative that we install the bomb shelters immediately to provide security for our children.”

During Thanksgiving while most Americans were sitting down for dinner and enjoying the traditional holiday, Israeli children were listening to sirens blaring and running to bomb shelters if they were available. The Israel Tennis Centers were forced to close three centers in the south of Israel and bussed hundreds of children including a community of Bedouin children to Tennis Centers in the north where they were housed with Jewish families. Once they arrived the children were provided with a variety of fun activities to help take their minds off the situation in the south. Alan Goldner, summed it up best by commenting, “with our love, we are sheltering all the children we possibly can from both bombs and fear.”

About the Israel Tennis Centers Foundation:
The Israel Tennis Centers Foundation (ITC) is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization that has worked for over 36 years to enhance the social, psychological, and physical development of Israeli youth through the medium of sport. Most ITC Centers are located in disadvantaged neighborhoods or outlying development towns throughout Israel, from Kiryat Shmona on the Lebanese border in the North, to Beer Sheva bordering the Negev Desert in the South. There are 20,000 children in the program. http://www.israeltenniscenters.org/