Sports for Social Impact

The Azrieli Foundation announced the winners of the 2024 Azrieli Prize for Outstanding Social Sports Coaches in a ceremony attended by Israel’s First Lady, Mrs. Michal Herzog.

 Among the winners: a coach whose athletes with intellectual-developmental disabilities won two medals at the Special Olympics European Championships, a Bedouin coach who established the first sports club in a Bedouin village in the south, and more. Additionally, a special recognition award was given to the “Open Field” program – a sports-rehabilitation program for Nova survivors.

The judging panel included key figures from Israeli sports, including Olympic medalists Moran Samuel and Arik Zeevi.

This is the second year that the Azrieli Foundation has awarded the Azrieli Prize for Outstanding Social Sports Coaches. The prize was established as part of the SSI (Sport for Social Impact) program’s vision to promote and strengthen Israeli society through sports and physical activity, recognizing coaches who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in  the use of sports to promote social and educational goals.

Yesterday, the winners’ announcement ceremony was held at the Daniel Rowing Center. The ceremony was attended by: The President’s wife, Mrs. Michal Herzog, who gave opening remarks and promotes the field herself; Chairwoman of Azrieli Group and Chairwoman of Azrieli Foundation Israel, Ms. Danna Azrieli, who leads the foundation’s philanthropic vision and compass; Azrieli Foundation Canada board member and Honorary President of the Paralympic Committee, Mr. Danny Hakim; Chair of the Knesset’s Sports Subcommittee, MK Simon Davidson; His Excellency Ambassador Yusuke Arai, Japanese Ambassador to Israel, and distinguished representatives from other embassies; Chairman of the Paralympic Committee, Mr. Moshe “Motz” Matalon; Olympic medalist Mr. Arik Zeevi; heads and representatives of sports federations and centers; representatives of NGOs involved in sports for social advancement, and more. The ceremony was hosted by News 12 reporter Tamir Steinman.

In the Women’s Sports Advancement category, Hanan Abu Kweder (43), a Pilates and strength training coach from the Suar Almahaba Association, won for her pioneering work in promoting healthy and active lifestyles and advancing women in the Bedouin community, breaking social boundaries and leading unique initiatives combining sports and educational values. Abu Kweder established the first fitness club in an unrecognized Bedouin settlement in the Negev.

In the Special Populations category, Hadas Handler (27), a swimming and cycling coach from Special Olympics, won for her pioneering work in advancing cycling and swimming for people with disabilities, while creating an adapted and empowering environment for each athlete. Thanks to her work, three athletes with intellectual-developmental disabilities flew to represent Israel at the Special Olympics European Championships in cycling and won 2 significant medals.

In the Shared Society category, Suha Sobeh (40), a football coach from Tamra, working at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, won for using football as a tool to promote shared living between Jewish and Muslim women, empowering girls and women, and creating cultural connections between diverse communities, even under challenging conditions.

In the At-Risk Populations category, Jonathan Sidelsky (40), a cricket coach from the Israel Cricket Association, won for his dedication and creative approach in making sports in general and cricket in particular accessible to at-risk youth, while creating empowering experiences, emotional support, and building a diverse and inclusive sports community.

In the Promising Coach of the Year category, Dana Hadar (26), a water sports coach from the Ziv Neurim Association, won for her unique contribution to advancing at-risk youth and children with special needs through water sports.

A special recognition award for collaboration between NGOs using sports as a tool for social advancement was given to the “Safe Field” program, which offers rehabilitation and community integration through football and Footvolleyfor  of the October 7th events parties survivors. The program is a partnership between Home Base, Safe Heart, and Balance – Back on Track associations, helping participants return to routine through social integration, assistance with rights fulfillment, encouragement of mental health treatment, and workplace integration.

The judging panel included key figures from Israeli sports, including Arik Zeevi, former judoka, Olympic medalist, founder and director of the Foundation for Olympic Excellence in Israel; Karin Sendel, former captain of Israel’s national women’s team and chairwoman of the Israeli Football Players Organization; Moran Samuel, Israeli Paralympic athlete, bronze, silver and gold medalist and world champion in rowing; Ulfat Haider, professional athlete, former Israeli national volleyball team player; Yaakov Gino, director of the National School for Coaches at Wingate Institute, former basketball player and coach; Yehonatan Cohen, football broadcaster and Sports Channel host; and Danny Hakim, founder of Sports for Social Change and board member of Azrieli Foundation Canada.

Danna Azrieli, Chairwoman of Azrieli Group and Chairwoman of Azrieli Foundation: “The prize is intended to honor inspiring coaches who combine sports with education and lead social change among diverse groups. Especially in this sensitive time, they are a source of inspiration and show us how through sports we can overcome current challenges, bridge gaps, and strengthen Israeli society. Investment in social sports coaches is an investment in the country’s future.”

Danny Hakim, founder of SSI program: “We believe that sport is a powerful tool for creating a better society, and through sports, we can empower different populations and thus society as a whole. About three years ago, the vision became reality and a groundbreaking program, SSI, focusing on NGOs and social sports activities for social advancement. Social sports coaches are the spearhead of this work, creating change on the ground, and to them we say thank you.”

Arik Zeevi, judges’ representative: “After many years in competitive sports, experiencing it as an athlete, coach, father to young athletes involved in sports, and founder of an association aimed at encouraging competitive sports, I know how much the coach is the most significant figure for the athlete. Coaches have the power to influence athletes not only professionally but also mentally and personally. They are the ones who help athletes reach their full potential and believe in themselves. On behalf of the judging panel, I want to thank all the coaches for their important contribution to Israeli society and sports in particular.”

In a groundbreaking move, the Azrieli Foundation has released an in-depth report mapping Sports for Social Impact (AKA Sports for Development) organizations across Israel for the first time. The report provides a detailed overview of 281 non-profit organizations that use sports as a social-educational tool.

Click here to view the full report

The comprehensive mapping reveals that 64% of the organizations surveyed in-depth primarily aim to promote educational and social goals, using sports as a means to achieve these objectives. An additional 25% focus on sports activities while integrating significant social and educational components. In terms of target populations, 58% of organizations reach more than one group, with 42% focusing on at-risk youth and 32% on individuals with disabilities.

The report shows that football (soccer) is the most popular sport among social sports organizations, with 37% of organizations involved in it, followed by basketball (22%) and swimming (12%). Interestingly, among programs aimed at girls and women, football remains the leading sport, though sports like volleyball and chatchball (Kadur-reshet) also hold a significant presence within this demographic.

Geographically, an intriguing distribution emerges: in the south and north of Israel, there are approximately 5.4 organizations per 100,000 residents, compared to about 2.8 in central Israel. However, organizations in central Israel tend to operate on a larger scale in terms of their activities.

As part of the mapping process, in-depth interviews were conducted with 61 selected organizations. These interviews revealed that 60% of the organizations focus on empowerment and building self-confidence, 52% aim to make sports accessible to unique populations, and 48% emphasize creating a sense of belonging and community.

From a financial perspective, the report reveals that 54% of organizations operate with an annual budget of up to 500,000 ILS, while 29% operate with budgets of 1-10 million ILS. Notably, 81% of the organizations rely on self-generated income.

Dana Azrieli, Co-Chair of the Azrieli Foundation Israel and Chair of the Azrieli Group highlighted the significance of the findings: “In times when Israel’s resilience is more crucial than ever, the ‘Sports for Social Change’ community has risen to the occasion, emerging as a source of strength and support following the events of October 7. The full potential of sports for social change is only beginning to be realized.”

Danny Hakim, founder of the SSI Program, added: “This mapping shows the extensive network of social sports organizations in Israel. We believe sports have the power to drive meaningful social change, help people cope with trauma, empower women, and support at-risk youth.”

This mapping is a significant step in understanding the social sports sector in Israel, providing essential knowledge for decision-makers, social entrepreneurs, and funding entities interested in advancing this field.

Click here to view the full report

On May 28, 2024, Ofir Haim, coach of Israel’s under-18 national football team, met with dozens of social-educational sports coaches to share his insights and experiences. The event was part of the Sports for Social Impact (SSI) program, directed by the Azrieli Foundation.

Haim, known for his ability to motivate players individually, emphasized the importance of understanding each child’s unique world. “For me as a coach, every child is a whole world,” he stated, setting the tone for the meeting.

The coach opened with his personal journey, particularly the challenges and growth he experienced raising his son Or, who is on the autism spectrum. “At first, I felt like I was being punished, but Or made me understand that he was a gift to me,” Haim shared, highlighting how this experience transformed his approach to coaching.

Patience emerged as a central theme in Haim’s talk. “The most important thing I learned from my son Or is patience. Most of the time I experienced disappointments with him, and patience is what makes the difference,” he explained. This lesson, he noted, has profoundly influenced his coaching style.

Haim stressed the importance of building personal connections with players. He described investing countless hours in individual meetings to understand his players deeply, believing that these relationships are key to bringing out their best performance on the pitch.

Coach Haim also emphasized the value of hard work over luck. “As a player, at first, I thought that if the ball hits the crossbar, ‘I have no luck,'” he recalled. “At one point, I realized that I just need to work harder. The investment and hard work made me understand that it’s not luck but a matter of hard work and ability.”

In his concluding remarks, Haim encouraged the coaches to find joy in their work despite its challenges. “The work you do in your organizations is very hard, but you can also get much satisfaction from it,” he said. He advised adapting goals to individual needs, particularly for children who are harder to reach.

The meeting, attended by coaches from 31 organizations within the “Coalition for Sports for Social Impact,” was well-received. Hila Gabai, Director of the SSI program at the Azrieli Foundation, summed up the event: “Ofir Haim is an inspiration to all of us with the way he touches every child and with his positive approach to coaching.”

The Azrieli Foundation’s Coalition for Sports for Social Impact held its first meeting of 2024, hosted by the Israeli Association of Community Centers and Value Sports. The meeting was attended by 40 of Israel’s leading figures in the field of Sports for Social Impact.

The meeting focused on partnerships and collaboration. The centerpiece of the meeting was a workshop titled “Key Issues in Partnership Management,” led by Dr. Tami Rubel Lipshitz, a psychologist, researcher, and organizational consultant from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

In the workshop, Dr. Lipshitz presented partnerships between organizations as a spectrum of possibilities, ranging from basic resource sharing to strategic partnerships. She emphasized several key issues for successful collaboration, such as: Alignment of expectations, gradual trust building and fit between organizational cultures.

After the workshop, coalition members divided into four working groups, which will serve as the basis for future collaborations. The working groups focus on the coalition’s key areas of focus:

• Empowering girls and women
• Working with at-risk youth and in the social-geographic periphery
• Building a shared society
• Working with special populations

The meeting laid the foundation for significant collaborations between social sport organizations in Israel. The working groups were created to allow coalition members to work together on shared projects, share information and knowledge, and advance their shared goals.

The Social Sport Coalition is a leading organization in the field of social sport in Israel. The coalition is committed to providing professional support, training, enrichment, and a platform for collaboration to help member organizations achieve their goals, maximize their potential, and expand and deepen their positive impact on individuals and society.

The Social Sport Coalition hosts a variety of meetings throughout the year for management-level staff of member organizations, as well as specialized meetings for other roles, such as coaches and trainers.

Immediately after Operation Iron Swords began, both the Azrieli Foundation Israel and the Azrieli Foundation Canada, granted 40 million NIS of emergency support to NGOs and various organizations in Israel that support soldiers, as well as medical and psychological support to the victims and their families.

Some of the grant recipients include: Soroka hospital, Barzilai hospital, Shneider hospital, Asaf Harofe hospital, and Hadassa; Natal, Eran, IDF Widows and Orphans Organization, The Association for Israel’s Soldiers, Zaka, United Hatzalah, Mada and more.

Danna Azrieli, Chair of the Azrieli Foundation Israel stated: “During these tough and sad times, we are witnessing the people of Israel at their best and finest hour, with much will to provide immediate assistance to civilians and soldiers on the front lines. The unity and cohesiveness of the citizens of Israel along with the support for our fighting forces are critical and we are fully supporting them”.

A portion of the grants were given to NGOs active in the field of sport as a tool for social impact, with an emphasis on programs for evacuees from the Gaza Envelope and the northern border. In the photo – an activity for evacuees from from Kibutz Zikim, operated by Ziv Neurim.

More information about the grants can be found in this article.

The Azrieli Foundation Prize for Outstanding Social Coaches 2023

The Azrieli Foundation celebrated, on February 20, 2024, the inaugural award ceremony of the Azrieli Foundation Prize for Outstanding Social Coaches for 2023. This unique prize aims to advance sports as a social tool, recognizing the role of sports and physical activity in enhancing mental resilience, fostering equal opportunities, and strengthening Israeli society. Cash prizes were awarded to five outstanding winners out of dozens of candidates from 17 different sports fields at the event.

The judging panel consists of key figures from the Israeli sports community and top-performing athletes across various sports:

• Arik Ze’evi – Former judoka, Olympic medalist, and Founder of the Israeli Foundation for Olympic Excellence.
• Karin Sendel – Former Captain of Israel’s National Women’s Team and head of the Israeli football players’ organization.
• Moran Samuel – Israeli Paralympic athlete, silver and bronze medalist, World Champion in rowing.
• Bracha “Beatie” Deutsch – Israeli marathon and half marathon champion
• Danny Hakim – Founder of Sports for Social Change and Director of Azrieli Foundation Canada.
• Sabine Hojirat – Director of Planning and Strategy and gender researcher.
• Amir Menachem – Founder and CEO of Five Fingers Movement.

Member of Knesset Simon Davidson, Chairman of the Knesset’s Sports Committee, delivered a greeting.

Danna Azrieli, Chairman of the Azrieli Foundation Israel and the Azrieli Group:

“I am thrilled to be present at the first Azrieli Foundation Award Ceremony for Outstanding Social Coaches, as part of our “Sports for Social Impact” program. This award reflects our belief in the power of sports to promote positive social change in Israel. Especially in these challenging times, it is important to recognize and thank the dedicated NGOs and coaches who work tirelessly, supporting and assisting affected communities, to bolster resilience and strengthen society”.

2023 Azrieli Foundation Prize for Outstanding Social Coaches winners:

• In the Cross-Sector Collaboration Category: Dekel Noy won for her exceptional activities promoting shared living in Israeli society through Judo.
• In the Children and Youth at Risk Category: Amir Sorsky from ”HaGal Sheli- Catching the Wave of Life” association won for his significant contribution to strengthening mental resilience and empowerment among children and youth at risk through surfing.
• In the Female Empowerment Category: Revital Ben Moshe from the “Haredim Laketzev” association won for her groundbreaking work in promoting gender equality and empowering women in the Haredi community through sports.
• In the Special Populations Category: Ella Matzkin from the “ILAN” Israel Parasport Center won for her dedication to promoting sports among people with disabilities through archery.
• In the Promising Coach of the Year category: Ania Povnitsa from the “Bartali Youth in Movement” association won for her contribution to promoting at-risk youth through cycling.
• A special recognition award was given for the “Community Shield” program, a collaboration between the following associations: “Hachaluz”, “Israeli Association of Community Centers”, and the “Hapoel Center”.