American Friends of Sderot is excited to announce The First Annual 8th Grade Boys Yeshiva Day School Basketball tournament that will take place during the month of November. Yeshiva Day Schools in the tri-state area have been invited to participate and the response so far has been excellent. The group is anticipating a full 16-team field.
The goal of the tournament is to raise awareness for the plight of our fellow Jewish brothers and sisters that live in Sderot in Southern Israel, on the front lines, just one mile from the Gaza border. Sderot has become one of the most significant national symbols of heroism. Sderot is home to the largest Hesder Yeshiva in Israel where over 500 students attend the Yeshiva and will also serve in the Israeli army.
There is an extremely important educational component to the tournament as well. The tournament gives middle school students in the tri-state area the opportunity to learn about how living in Sderot affects the children of Sderot, who constantly live under the threat of a terrorist attack with Kassam Rockets or from underground tunnels. Our students can proudly stand in solidarity with them. Sderot’s brave determination in the face of continuous terror 24/7 has revealed to the world a model of outstanding courage that sets the tone in the State of Israel.
The tournament also provides a vehicle for middle school students to take a leadership role in participating in a meaningful fundraising project. Funds raised from the tournament will go towards programs and security to benefit the members of the Sderot community and show our solidarity, connection and support with them.
In addition to the fact that this tournament is for a worthy cause and provides a meaningful learning experience, it gives the Yeshiva Day School 8th Grade Boys Basketball Teams the forum to join with other teams in the tri-state area and to play 3 games against good competition.
The first two games of the tournament will take place at locations throughout the tri-state area. The tournament will culminate in Championship Sunday December 4th where all 16 teams will play their third game of the tournament at one location.
Each participating school/team in the tournament commits to raise $1000 to cover expenses, as well as help continue to provide programs to benefit the community of Sderot. These funds can be raised in several different ways including from players, their parents, sponsors, and from the school, and/or a combination of all.
To enhance the anticipation and fun of the games, there will be an exciting and innovative scoring system by which each team has the opportunity to score points in addition to the actual results of the games. For example, a win is worth 30 points; each 3 point shot made is worth 3 points.
At the conclusion of the tournament on Championship Sunday trophies will be given to the winning team and each of the members on the team. In addition, each School/Team will nominate one All Star Player who will receive an All Star trophy. A tournament MVP player will be selected from the winning team.
All players will receive a Swish for Sderot shirt. In addition, all participating schools will receive a commemorative plaque for their participation in the tournament. They will also be entered into a raffle to win a large Sderot Mezuzah Cover made from the fragments of the Iron Dome, which they can proudly display at their school. The raffle drawing will be held on Championship Sunday.
This exciting tournament format will give all teams an opportunity to compete, play three games, and have a good time, while raising awareness and funds for Sderot.
If you are interested in having your school participate or if you have any questions please email Judah Rhine, [email protected] or call 516-707-2638. Deadline for registration is September 30th. We look forward to working together and helping our students make a difference for the community of Sderot.
