Since 1976, the Israel Tennis & Education Centers (ITEC) have grown into one of Israel’s leading social service organizations, transforming lives through the power of sports and education. More than 500,000 children have graced our centers, carrying forward invaluable life lessons that helped shape their futures.
Today, ITEC operates in 25 strategically located centers and satellites, reaching virtually every geographic and demographic sector across Israel. Positioned primarily in underserved communities, our centers are safe havens where children come together to develop skills and values that enable them to overcome hardship, respect one another, and play—and live—in harmony.
The Need
Children are Israel’s most precious resource—yet too many grow up facing social, economic, and geographic barriers that limit their ability to discover and realize their potential. Without safe, inclusive environments and consistent mentorship, these children are denied access to the skills, values, and resilience they need to overcome hardship and build healthy, productive lives.
The Purpose
At ITEC, we ensure every child in Israel has access to opportunity. We believe that every child—regardless of their social status, religious affiliation, ethnicity, or cultural background—deserves the chance to discover the innate potential that burns within and to pursue their own individual life journey with confidence and dignity.
The Way
Through the unparalleled life lessons of tennis, combined with education, mentorship, and community, ITEC creates safe, supportive environments where children grow and thrive. We use tennis and social impact programming to teach discipline, perseverance, and self-belief. In doing so, we serve as a powerful equalizer, helping children overcome hardship, learn to live in harmony, and carry forward life lessons that shape their futures.
Thank you for supporting the children in Israel!
Eyal Taoz Global
CEO
Dear Charles & Rita,
In my role as CEO, I have seen firsthand the impact of your support on the lives of children and families across Israel. I personally cherish and appreciate your partnership and generosity which is reflected in the resilience and hope we see at our centers.
As we reflect on the recent two and half years, we have navigated unprecedented challenges. Facing the realities of an ongoing war, we have been called upon to operate not just as a sports organization, but as a critical pillar of support for our community.
This has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging periods in our organization’s history. From the sudden
disruption of daily operations and the necessity of closing centers in high-risk areas, to the personal toll taken on our staff members, some of whom lost their homes, we have faced challenges that threatened our continuity.
Yet the resilience of the ITEC community has been our hallmark. By prioritizing safety and adaptability, we have ensured that our centers remained beacons of stability, providing a vital sense of normalcy to thousands of children and families during a time of extreme uncertainty.
The most significant sign of our success is that children continue to show up at our centers. We have maintained high attendance rates where it is safe to do so and continued to provide tennis
education alongside critical social impact programs and mental health support. This adaptability has proven that our infrastructure is resilient and that our staff is capable of extraordinary performance under pressure. We are not just surviving; we are upholding our commitment to excellence.
Our mission to use tennis as a tool for social development, fostering coexistence, and empowering youth from all backgrounds is more urgent today than ever before. In a society currently grappling with division and trauma, ITEC serves as a rare, neutral ground where values like discipline, inclusion, and mutual respect are cultivated daily. We are building the next generation, equipping them with the confidence needed to overcome challenges that extend far beyond the court.
This sustained impact is directly tied to the unwavering commitment of our donors and partners. Your support is the vital resource that allows us to expand our operations, provide emergency relief to our affected staff, and ensure that no child is left behind due to the crisis. With your partnership, we are ensuring that ITEC remains a national asset, capable of meeting current needs while laying the groundwork for long-term growth.
As we move forward, we are strengthened by your trust. Thank you for standing with us, believing in our purpose, and helping us turn obstacles into opportunities for growth.
With deep gratitude,
Eyal Taoz Global CEO
Shuki Rajman Director of Social Impact Programs
Twinned Kindergarten
Program Overview & Scope
The Twinned Kindergarten Program operates at ITEC – Jerusalem and brings together children from Jewish and Arab kindergartens for weekly tennis and educational activities.
The program combines:
• Sports and physical activity
• Social-emotional development
• Shared experiences between children from different communities
• Values-based education focused on cooperation, tolerance, and respect
Throughout the 2025–2026 school year:
• 55 children participated in the program
• Children met weekly for joint activities
• The program focused on strengthening selfconfidence, communication skills, teamwork, and motor development
• Children built meaningful connections across cultural and community lines
Dear Charles & Rita,
I would like to express our sincere gratitude for your meaningful and ongoing support of our unique program Twinned Kindergarten.
This program is designed to promote encounters, understanding, and cooperation between different communities in Israeli society, while creating shared spaces of sport, education, and values. At its core, the program is based on the belief that human connection, shared experiences, and joint activity are the foundation for a more tolerant and united society.
We aim to expand the Twin Kindergartens model to additional communities and further deepen its impact in building a more shared, inclusive, and respectful society.
In closing, we thank you for your trust and partnership. Thanks to your support, many children are given the opportunity to meet others, live together in shared spaces, and build a future based on understanding, respect, and hope.
Sincerely,
Shuki Rajman Director of Social Impact Programs
Ongoing National Challenges
Despite the significant challenges we are facing due to the ongoing war, we have not given up on programs that connect between different cultures and religions. This is a complex and demanding initiative, yet its outcomes are deeply meaningful and consistently inspiring.
Especially during these difficult times, we are proud to see Jewish and Arab children meeting, playing together, smiling, and simply enjoying each other’s company. They are able to set aside differences and challenges and experience moments of cooperation, respect, and shared joy.
Program Structure
The children participate in regular meetings throughout the year within mixed-group frameworks. Each session is guided by a professional staff team and includes sports activities, group games, facilitated dialogue, and values-based educational activities.
The groups in the program are mixed groups, and all activities are designed as cooperative play. The children play with one another rather than against one another, with the goal of strengthening connection, teamwork, and genuine interpersonal relationships.
The meetings are structured to ensure the development of real, long-term relationships rather than one-time encounters, building trust and ongoing cooperation over time.
Use of Funds
Your support enables us to:
• Operate mixed-group programs throughout the year
• Provide professional guidance and educational staff
• Organize meetings, special events, and educational activities
• Develop educational and values-based content
• Maintain the organizational and operational framework of the program
Outcomes and Impact
We continue to witness significant impact on both children and communities:
• Creation of friendships between children from different communities
• Greater openness to diversity and mutual acceptance
• Improved ability to cooperate even in moments of disagreement
• Shared experiences that foster equality and mutual understanding
In addition, the program also influences adults—parents and educational staff—who are exposed to a living model of shared society in practice.
Ephraim Fine Social Impact Coordinator, ITEC Jerusalem
Dear Charles & Rita,
I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous support of the shared tennis program between the Jewish kindergarten and the Arab kindergarten at the Jerusalem Tennis Center.
This past year was especially complex, against the backdrop of the war and tensions that affected the lives of the children and their families. Precisely during such a period, it was important for us to return to activity as quickly as possible and preserve for the children a stable, safe, and connecting framework. The court became a place of routine, human connection, and hope.
Throughout the year, 55 children participated in the program, and we had the privilege of seeing how, through play, movement, and shared encounters, natural connections formed between children from different backgrounds. Tennis created a space where
children learned to know one another, respect one another, and rejoice together beyond every difference.
Thanks to your contribution, we were able to operate a professional and values-based program, provide the children with an appropriate staff, quality equipment, and shared activities, and continue maintaining a framework that has a real impact on their lives. Parents also see the tremendous value in the program and the power that sports have to connect people.
Your support is a meaningful part of an important educational and community effort in Jerusalem, and we thank you for your partnership, trust, and commitment.
With gratitude and great appreciation,
Ephraim Fine Social Impact Coordinator ITEC Jerusalem
Dani Mizrahi Center Manager, ITEC Jerusalem
Dear Charles & Rita,
Thank you for your generous support of the Twinned Kindergarten Program at the Israel Tennis & Education Center in Jerusalem.
This program is very close to my heart. Throughout the year, I saw Jewish and Arab children arrive shy and unsure, and gradually grow more comfortable together through tennis, games, and shared moments.
In these times, such programs are more important than ever. Creating real connection is not always easy, but with young children it happens naturally. They meet, play, laugh, and slowly the distance between them fades.
By the end of the year, children who once stood apart were calling each other by name, cheering one another on, and looking forward
to meeting each week. These moments may seem small, but they are powerful.
Beyond improving coordination and teamwork, the program teaches something deeper: that friendship can grow across differences.
Your support made this possible. Because of you, these children could learn, play, and build meaningful connections.
Thank you for believing in this program and in the power of sport to bring people together.
With sincere appreciation,
Dani Mizrahi Center Manager ITEC Jerusalem
Moran Naor Yedid Levy Kindergarten Principal
Dear Charles & Rita,
I would like to express my deep appreciation and sincere thanks for the blessed and meaningful activities taking place at the tennis center during the current school year and throughout the past five years of our successful partnership.
As part of the program, the children in my kindergarten participate once a week in a shared sports activity together with a kindergarten from the Arab sector. I see great importance in sharing with you the tremendous and positive impact this initiative has on us. The shared encounters on the court contribute greatly to building relationships, bringing hearts closer together, and strengthening the relationship between the children from both sectors. The activities are always conducted in a pleasant, tolerant, and positive atmosphere, and it is moving to see how the children cooperate, connect, and simply enjoy being together. It is no coincidence that the children eagerly anticipate and wait excitedly for the weekly activity day at the center.
Beyond the enormous social value, we also see great importance in the physical and motor contribution of the tennis classes. Engaging in sports at an early age is a cornerstone of healthy development, and the activities on the court significantly improve the children’s coordination, physical fitness, and self-confidence in movement. Furthermore, the weekly meetings have
also created a wonderful personal and professional connection between the educational staffs of the two kindergartens. The close cooperation and warm dialogue that have developed between us influence the entire atmosphere and serve as a positive example for the children.
I would like to extend special thanks to Ephraim, who is responsible for the program, for his great investment, dedication, and attention that he gives us. His efforts are clearly felt on the ground, and there is no doubt that his management makes the program so successful and seamless.
In addition, huge thanks to Noga, the children’s coach. Noga is an exceptionally caring, dedicated, and hardworking coach. His warm and professional approach succeeds in truly captivating the children — they listen attentively to him, respect him, and learn so much from him, both athletically and personally.
More power to you for this important work. I see this program as a wonderful model for education, tolerance, and excellence, and I hope we will continue this fruitful partnership in the future.
With great appreciation,
Moran Naor Yedid Levy Kindergarten Principal
Fida Abu Kaf Kindergarten Principal
Dear Charles & Rita,
I would like to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for the tremendous investment in organizing and operating the special activities for our children. During our kindergarten children’s participation in the program, a positive and meaningful impact has been evident in their development in various areas.
The combination of sports activities and educational content contributes greatly to the children — strengthening their sense of cooperation, discipline, and self-confidence, while also developing motor and social skills. The supportive and encouraging atmosphere you create provides a safe and enriching environment for learning and development.
We would especially like to note the contribution of the activities in strengthening the spirit of partnership and familiarity between the children in our kindergarten and the children from another kindergarten from a different community. We believe that these encounters form an important
foundation for nurturing values of peace, acceptance, and brotherhood from a young age.
In addition, we would like to thank everyone involved in this program, especially Coach Nigeh, as well as Mr. Vraim, who managed the meetings this year, for their dedication, investment, and professional and inspiring leadership of the program.
We greatly appreciate the teamwork, the personal attention given to every child, and the commitment to providing the very best. All of these contribute greatly to the success of the program and to the children’s love for the activities.
We wish you continued success and meaningful work, and we look forward to continued fruitful cooperation in the future.
With great appreciation,
Fida Abu Kaf Kindergarten Principal
Parent Reflection
The tennis program for kindergarten children is a very important positive social and sports activity for the children.
As a mother of Karim, I see that the program influences him very positively. Karim greatly enjoys participating in the activities, releasing energy, feeling happy, and integrating well with the other children.
Every Thursday Karim becomes very excited and waits eagerly for the activity day.
The activities allow him to release the energy and pressure within him, change his mood, and feel relaxed rather than stressed.
It was an opportunity for him to calm down and watch the activities independently, and according to what I saw, the atmosphere was pleasant, calm, and full of joy.
I saw Karim communicating, playing, and integrating naturally and beautifully with the Jewish children, something that contributes greatly to his social and emotional development.
For Karim, this was an enjoyable and enriching experience.
The coaches participating in the tennis activities show great involvement, responsibility, and full cooperation.
They participate together with the children in the activities and contribute to the children’s sense of security, calmness, and belonging.
According to what I saw, the team was very supportive, patient, loving, and encouraged the children throughout all of the activities.
The positive atmosphere among the children made the activities more enjoyable, calming, and enriching.
The presence of a supportive and encouraging team contributes greatly to the children’s emotional and social development.
I truly see, as a mother, how meaningful and important this program is, and I hope it will continue in the coming years as well, for the benefit of the children and their social and emotional development.
Impact Stories
Noa, a five-year-old from Jerusalem’s Gilo neighborhood, participated this year in the Twinned Kindergarten Program at the Israel Tennis & Education Center.
Each week, Noa’s Jewish kindergarten met with an Arab kindergarten from Beit Safafa for tennis and shared activities. Full of energy and enthusiasm, Noa loved the games, but she always wanted to be first, and often became frustrated when things did not go her way.
During one activity, Noa was paired with a girl from the other kindergarten. Their goal was simple: keep the ball moving between them. To succeed, they had to work together. Slowly, Noa learned to wait, listen, and make space for her partner.
Her teachers began to notice small but meaningful changes. Noa started cheering for other children, sharing more easily, and taking pride in the success of the group rather than her own achievements.
By the end of the year, Noa looked forward to each weekly meeting—not only because of tennis, but because of the friendships she had formed. Through a simple game and a new friendship, she discovered that the greatest joy comes not from being first, but from making someone else feel included.
Omar, a five-year-old from Beit Safafa, participated this year in the Twinned Kindergarten Program at the Israel Tennis & Education Center.
When Omar first joined the program, he was quiet and reserved. Although he enjoyed the activities, he often stayed close to his teacher and hesitated to interact with children he did not know.
One week, Omar was paired with a child from the Jewish kindergarten during a ballcollection game. They did not share the same language, but within minutes they were running, laughing, and helping one another. What began as a simple activity became the start of a new friendship.
Slowly, Omar’s confidence blossomed. He joined group activities more easily, encouraged other children, and became increasingly comfortable connecting with his peers.
By the end of the year, Omar arrived each week with excitement, eager to see his friends. The tennis court had become more than a place to play—it had become a place where he learned that friendship can begin without words, with nothing more than a smile and a shared moment of joy.
