Girls’ Empowerment Program Report
ITEC Jerusalem Prepared for Lisa
Bogatin
About ITEC
Founded in 1976, the Israel Tennis & Education Centers has become one of Israel’s largest social service organizations, providing comprehensive social-emotional, athletic, and recreational programs and support services to youth from historically marginalized communities throughout the country.
Our centers, which span from Kiryat Shmona in the North to Beer Sheva in the South, serve 24 communities. They are open six days a week and welcome more than 10,000 youth annually, ranging in age from preschool to young adulthood. This includes the 1,600 youth we serve in our social-impact programs.
Our vision is a world where every Israeli child’s potential is not just realized but celebrated. We aspire to be the catalysts for positive change fostering lifelong skills, inclusivity, and excellence on and off the court.
Your support is changing lives—giving Israel’s children a sense of belonging, resilience, and hope for a better future. Thank you!
ITEC Jerusalem Girls’ Empowerment, Program Overview
Every Thursday at 11:30 AM, the Tennis Center hosts a unique initiative designed to empower girls by integrating sports with emotional support.
The program offers 14 girls aged 13 to 15, professional tennis training, followed by a dedicated session with a specialized social worker who provides guidance and support tailored to the needs of the participants.
In addition to tennis, the program includes a weekly yoga class, enhancing the girls’ physical well-being while equipping them with valuable tools for personal growth and emotional resilience.
Through this holistic approach, the initiative fosters confidence, self-expression, and a sense of empowerment among the participants.
Director Letter
My name is Shuki Rajman, and since 2018, I have been serving as the Director of Education and Social Impact at the Israel Tennis & Education Centers. My role involves managing a dedicated team of 10 social impact coordinators stationed at our tennis centers, each responsible for leading and overseeing our programs.
These coordinators bring a strong educational background and extensive experience working with diverse populations. Their expertise is essential in engaging with various communities, and they operate with great sensitivity and professionalism to ensure the success of our programs. They maintain excellent relationships with the children, schools, and institutions from which the children come.
Our professional coaches and mentors incorporate tennis alongside diverse educational methodologies to equip children with critical life skills. Tennis is a unique sport that serves as a powerful medium for imparting essential values that every child needs.
Your donations enable us to reach children in need of social and emotional support, helping them grow and thrive in all aspects of life. Your generosity makes a profound difference in the lives of children from challenging backgrounds, giving them hope for a brighter future. Thanks to your contributions,
we are able to reach more children each year and instill a sense of optimism, especially in the wake of a year and a half of conflict in Israel.
Over the past year and a half, Israel has faced and continues to face significant challenges due to war. Many children in affected areas have experienced social and emotional difficulties, anxiety, and struggles in returning to a normal routine. Thanks to your support, our programs play a crucial role in helping these children rebuild their confidence and resilience during this challenging period.
The tennis court serves as a bridge for connection and empowerment, allowing children to find a shared language and develop lasting friendships. Many families of the children in our programs cannot afford extracurricular and enrichment activities. We work closely with local authorities to identify families most in need and offer them access to our programs.
The Girls’ Empowerment Program supports at-risk girls aged 11 to 14 across 12 tennis centers nationwide, with a total of 165 participants. These girls come from diverse and challenging backgrounds and receive tennis training twice a week, in addition to empowerment sessions led by professional facilitators.
During these sessions, they engage in critical discussions on topics such as body image, setting boundaries, online safety, personal resilience, social skills, and overcoming challenges.
The personal stories shared by the girls about their experiences in the program are incredibly moving. They find joy in their otherwise difficult daily lives, build new friendships, and acquire valuable life skills. The program fosters a deep sense of belonging and helps them advance toward a brighter future—all while engaging in sports activities that
contribute to their well-being.
It is important for me to emphasize that your contributions are life-changing for many children. Thanks to your generosity, these children have the opportunity to experience the joys and benefits of childhood just like any other child in Israel.
The children, as well as our dedicated staff, would love to thank you in person and look forward to welcoming you on your next visit to Israel!
Program Coordinator Letter
Dear Lisa,
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your generous support of the Tennis Program for At-Risk Girls at the Jerusalem Tennis Center.
As the program director, I have the privilege of witnessing the profound impact of your contribution on the lives of our participants each week.
Over the past year, we have accompanied 12 young girls on an inspiring journey of growth and empowerment through tennis.
The transformation we witness goes far beyond athletic improvement. We see girls who once struggled to make eye contact becoming young leaders— mentoring their peers and confidently leading training sessions.
Thanks to your support, we provide much more than tennis training. The program includes:
• Guidance from a social worker
• Empowerment workshops
• Yoga sessions
• Professional sports equipment for each participant
We have created a supportive environment where every girl knows that we believe in her and her abilities.
The achievements on the court translate into self-confidence, resilience,
and a belief in their potential for success in all aspects of life.
Our coach, who specializes in working with at-risk youth, reports significant improvements in self-esteem, perseverance, and social skills among participants.
Parents share touching stories of daughters returning home with a spark in their eyes, beginning to believe in themselves and their futures.
Your contribution enables us to provide these girls with more than just athletic skills—it gives them the confidence and belief that they can shape their own paths in life.
Every swing of the racket is a step toward building self-assurance, and every victory is a reminder of their ability to overcome challenges.
We warmly invite you to visit our center and witness firsthand the tangible impact of your generosity.
You will have the opportunity to meet the girls, hear their stories, and see how tennis serves as a powerful tool for real social change.
With deep appreciation and heartfelt thanks,
Efraim Fine
Social Impact Coordinator ITEC Jerusalem
Parent Letter
Hello Lisa,
My daughter, Hodaya, is a sixth-grade student at Yuvalim School. This year, she has been participating in the tennis program at the Jerusalem Tennis Center.
Hodaya eagerly awaits Thursdays and always comes home happy after her time at the tennis center.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the support and funding provided for my daughter’s tennis lessons. Thanks to this initiative, she has had an exceptional opportunity to develop both physically and emotionally.
The lessons have not only enhanced her physical abilities but have also contributed significantly to her personal growth, particularly in social aspects.
Being part of a group has helped her work on tennis skills, social interactions, and self-confidence.
She has truly enjoyed the experiences and the learning process, and through this project, she received an opportunity that I would not have been able to provide for her on my own.
Words cannot fully express how grateful we are for this support, which is helping her and her classmates build a meaningful and promising future.
Thank you so much for your help and support.
Sincerely,
Eti Chona
Partner School Letter
Dear Lisa Bogatin,
Here at Yuvalim School we believe that “A single act of kindness can ripple through time, shaping generations to come.” Yuvalim School is a special education environment for girls with emotional and psychiatric challenges. By finding the students strengths and talents we work to give the students an opportunity for a better future and a stronger self image.
I am writing on behalf of the entire school community to extend our heartfelt thanks for the incredible tennis program that you have provided for our students. The impact of your dedication and expertise has been immeasurable, and we are so grateful for the opportunity you have given our students to engage with tennis in such a positive and inclusive environment.
The students have not only gained valuable physical skills but have also developed important life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and confidence.
We truly appreciate the time and effort you’ve invested in tailoring the program to meet the unique challenges of our students. It is clear that the ITEC team is deeply committed to making a difference , and their passion for teaching and inclusivity shines through in every lesson.
On behalf of the students, faculty, and staff at Yuvalim school I would like to express our gratitude. We are looking forward to continuing this partnership and hope to see many more successful sessions in the future that will impact many more students lives.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment to our students’ growth, development and future.
Warm regards,
Pnina Peleg Cohen
Headmistress Yuvalim School
Participant Stories
A. is a 12-year-old girl, the fourth of six children, and the only daughter in her family. Her story is one of resilience and quiet strength in the face of unimaginable hardship.
Eight years ago, her mother discovered during an ultrasound that she was expecting a baby. Unwilling to continue the pregnancy, she attempted to terminate it in its later stages but was unsuccessful. After giving birth to A., the mother fell into severe postnatal depression and became physically abusive toward her children. The father, struggling with his own issues, ensured that social services would not intervene. When A.’s younger brother was two months old, her mother inflicted severe injuries on him, leading to a prolonged hospitalization. This event revealed the abuse that had been taking place at home.
Since then, A. has developed selective mutism, likely as a result of the trauma. Today, she has no contact with her mother, and her father, a man with a troubled past, is left to care for all six children on his own. He shares that he once lived a criminal lifestyle but has since attempted to rebuild his life. However, maintaining a stable job remains a challenge for him. Disappointed by the lack of sufficient support from social services and national insurance, he struggles to provide for his children.
Despite her traumatic past, A. has strong learning abilities. However, her inability to verbally communicate in school makes it difficult for her teachers to assess her progress or build trust with her.
In tennis sessions, however, A. transforms. Without needing words, she expresses herself through movement, excelling on the court and engaging fully in activities. Tennis provides her with a safe space free from anxiety and frustration, where she collaborates, follows instructions, and even shines. It has become clear that A. possesses remarkable athletic abilities, and through sports, she is experiencing physical, social, and emotional growth.
Her confidence is slowly building, giving her hope for a better future.
Participant Stories
Y. is an 11.5-year-old girl in her fifth year at Yuvalim School, a special education institution for girls struggling with emotional and psychological challenges.
Y.’s childhood was marked by severe trauma—she was sexually abused by her older brother. It took her parents a long time to intervene and secure treatment for their children. Since then, Y. has developed severe emotional distress, including uncontrollable anger outbursts and difficulty coping with frustration and social situations.
Despite these struggles, Y. is highly motivated when it comes to learning, especially in subjects that spark her curiosity. She is eager for knowledge but requires close support when practicing new skills. She is verbal and opinionated, often engaging in discussions, but struggles with respecting boundaries and social norms.
Y. is a friendly, intelligent, and pleasant student. However, when faced with challenges, she has difficulty regulating her emotions, leading to conflict with her peers. She craves friendships but struggles to maintain them long-term, frequently arguing with her classmates. When feeling misunderstood or frustrated, Y. reacts with intense emotional distress, sometimes manifesting as verbal aggression, property destruction, or physical violence.
At home, she experiences severe emotional breakdowns, sometimes resulting in self-harm. On two occasions this year, she injured herself using dangerous objects after struggling with social conflicts she could not process. Despite these challenges, tennis has become a lifeline for Y. Since joining the weekly training sessions, there has been a noticeable improvement in her emotional and sensory regulation. Through structured tennis exercises, Y. is learning to cope with frustration in a healthier way, channel her anger and anxiety into physical activity, and discover her strengths.
Tennis is helping her build resilience, practice patience, and develop essential coping mechanisms that will support her throughout her life.
Thank you Lisa for your longtime and remarkable involvement.
With much gratitude, Your ITEC Family
ITEC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. Tax ID: 13-2961273