February 6, 2008 / 30 Shevat 5768

The Jewish Agency for Israel provided an evening of respite at the semi-finals of the Israel Basketball Cup for 350 children and youth from Sderot and the Gaza perimeter communities who suffer daily Kassam rocket attacks by Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip. The evening was made possible through a contribution from the United Jewish Communities (UJC) and Federations of North America, as part of their urgent funding for a month-long respite program for 2,000 youth in Sderot. The tickets were provided by Israel's Basketball Association.

The Jewish Agency’s Southern Region Community Relations Director, Ofer Baram, expressed the importance of this event. “In the framework of Jewish Agency activity in Sderot and the Gaza perimeter, we view assistance to the youth as a mission of cardinal importance. This week for example, the semifinal and final of the Israeli State Cup in basketball is taking place. We saw this as a golden opportunity to allow children and youth, who live fearfully in the shadow of Kassam missiles, to get out and take a breather.  New young immigrants who just recently immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union and reside at the Friedmann Student Village Ibim near Sderot were also included on this trip. At the game, the children and youth had a wonderful experience."

The game's announcer greeted the children and offered them encouragement and the entire audience stood up and applauded.  The final game will take place Thursday, February 7, and the Jewish Agency has already approached the Israeli Basketball Association in the hopes that "we will receive tickets for this game as well, and that the collaboration with the Israeli Basketball Association will continue, ”  said Ofer Baram.

Special thanks for initiating this event go to Yehuda Sharf, Jewish Agency Director of the Israel Region, Jeff Kaye, Jewish Agency Director for Resource Development and Public Affairs  and Yirmi Olmert the Chairman of the Israeli Basketball Association.