(Courtesy of American Friends of Israel Sport Center for the Disabled) American Friends of Israel Sport Center for the Disabled, a global leader in sport rehabilitation, is pleased to announce and welcome Beth Grafman as the organization’s east coast director. Grafman will be responsible for building awareness, involvement and support for the ISCD throughout the eastern United States.
“We are thrilled to have Beth leading our east coast expansion,” said Jennifer Flink, national executive director of the American Friends of Israel Sport Center for the Disabled. “Her deep experience and strong record of building broad-based support in many realms of the non- profit world will enable us to grow a wide coalition of supporters.”
Grafman brings decades of experience in philanthropy to her new role at AFISCD. She served for six years as a Program Officer for the Massachusetts-based Harold Grinspoon Foundation and its signature PJ Library© program. At HGF, Beth successfully managed the billionaire philanthropist’s investments in dozens of cities throughout the US, strengthening local families, organizations and communities. Immediately prior to joining the AFISCD, Grafman was Director of Development and Donor Engagement at the JCC of Mid-Westchester in Scarsdale, New York, where she expanded the donor base and total number of gifts, increased contributed revenue and built a high-performing team to create community engagement activities for families and adults.
“The ISCD was established 60 years ago, and my goal is to make it more well-known in this part of the United States. I’m excited to share ISCD’s impact with folks far and wide,” said Grafman. “When you meet our athletes or visit the facility in Israel and hear stories of challenges the Center has helped people overcome, you can’t help but be inspired to help people transform even more lives!”
American Friends of Israel Sport Center for the Disabled builds awareness and support by staging wheelchair basketball exhibitions and appearances by athletes whose training at the Center enables them to live meaningful lives contributing fully to Israeli society even though they physically navigate life differently than “typically-abled” people.
“Beth’s ability to quickly form deep personal connections across constituencies reflects the ISCD spirit of welcoming all people living with disabilities in Israel, regardless of background or religion,” added Lori Komisar, AFISCD’s Board President. “She is a strategic addition to our US team who will have a positive impact on our growth.”
The Israel Sport Center for the Disabled is located in Ramat Gan, just outside Tel Aviv, and is a world-pioneer in the field of sport rehabilitation. Founded in 1960, the Center annually serves more than 2,000 people, including individuals recovering from injuries and those with congenital incapacities. ISCD welcomes all people with disabilities without discrimination on the basis of gender, religion, race, nationality or ethnicity. Recognizing that sports help contribute to self-confidence, morale and independence, ISCD helps people discover their full capabilities. ISCD athletes participate in 18 different sports activities, including swimming, basketball, tennis, fencing and ping pong. The ISCD competitive and Paralympic sports division is one of the most successful in the world. Its athletes have received hundreds of Paralympic, European and World Championship titles throughout the years and four have already qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
For more information, visit www.afiscd.org or call Jennifer Flink at (847) 441-2652.
