The RTMA JJV Thunder basketball team has never played with the level of passion that they exhibited as they Swished for Sderot in a recent fundraising basketball tournament.

Sixteen yeshiva day schools participated in the competition to raise money for victims of terror as well as to help rebuild areas of the southern Israeli city of Sderot, which has been on the front line of missile attacks from Gaza.

This week, Carol and Judah Rhine of American Friends of Sderot presented the RTMA Middle School with an ornate mezuzah cover that was crafted from shrapnel recovered after a missile headed for Sderot was shot down by the Iron Dome system.

Sderot is under constant threat of attacks 24/7,” said Judah Rhine as he made the presentation. “Sderot’s brave determination in the face of continuous terror reveals to the world a model of outstanding courage. Despite this enormous challenge, Sderot is thriving with a state of the art train station connecting them to the rest of the country, as well as malls, restaurants and real estate which is booming, and the Hesder Yeshiva in Sderot is the largest Hesder Yeshiva in Israel with over 500 students.

Students were eager to touch the mezuzah with their own hands and it was evident by the passion in their eyes that in doing so, it made the cause that they are working towards that much more tangible.

In summing up this mega event, Rhine said, “This was far more than just a great basketball tournament. It also raised awareness and much needed funds for the community and Hesder Yeshiva of Sderot. Plans are already underway for next season’s Second Annual Swish for Sderot Yeshiva Day School 8th Grade Boys Basketball Tournament which promises to be even bigger and better.