Israel ParaSport Center

12/14/2025

12/08/2025

Our Athletes Made Waves at the Sportiada 🌊✨

Earlier this fall, Center athletes returned to Eilat for the Sportiada—one of Israel’s largest multi-sport events, where athletes from across the country come together to compete. It was an incredible opportunity for our athletes to challenge themselves.

Competing against teams of workplace athletes, our swimmers didn’t just take part—they stood out, bringing home four medals!

But beyond the results, what made this special was the joy and courage our athletes brought to the water.

11/21/2025

We began our final day with a visit to P-Cure, a cutting-edge proton therapy center founded by Michael Marash, who personally guided us through the facility—bringing to life Israel’s reputation as the Start-Up Nation. Michael’s family has deep ties to the Israel ParaSport Center; his son Idan Marash, a leader in Israel’s disability community, grew up training at The Center and now serves on our Israel Board.

From there, we traveled to the Israel Guide Dog Center, the only certified guide-dog training center in the Middle East. We had an absolute blast meeting the pups-in-training and learning about the life-changing support these incredible dogs provide.

Afterward, we headed to Yaffo for lunch with soldiers and had the opportunity to hear their perspectives on defending Israel.

We ended the day with a moving tour of ANU: Museum of the Jewish People, followed by a beautiful closing dinner. Joined by athletes and community members from The Center, participants shared heartfelt reflections about their experience and the powerful role The Center plays in their lives and in Israel.

A meaningful, hopeful, unforgettable finale to an extraordinary mission.

11/20/2025

After our time in the south, we returned to Ramat Gan and the Israel ParaSport Center, where we hosted a national swim meet with athletes from across Israel. This was our last event in the pool before it closes for renovations as we rebuild the new Luski Aquatic Center.

After the races, we celebrated 65 years with our community and held a special celebration kicking off construction of the Luski Aquatic Center. David Luski officially broke ground, burying a time capsule filled with letters from our mission participants to future athletes.

Over 200 community members, athletes of all ages, and their families joined us for the celebration. Surrounded by joyful athletes who embody "life without limits", mission participant Cindy Katzoff turned to Boaz and said, "this place rivals Disney World for the happiest place on earth!"

And, amid a day filled with deep meaning for us all, we won’t lie, one highlight was definitely the delicious food!

11/19/2025

After our emotional morning in the south, our mission continued at our Be’er Sheva satellite, where we met the incredible Goalball team, with players of all ages, religious backgrounds, and levels of visual impairment.

The team gave our participants hands-on lessons in this unique sport created for the visually impaired, with personal coaching from Israel’s Paris 2024 Paralympic silver medalist, Lihi Ben David.

It was an absolute blast stepping onto the court with blindfolds on and trying this amazing sport for ourselves!

11/19/2025

Today we traveled south for two deeply emotional and essential visits.

At Kibbutz Nir Oz, we met survivors of October 7 and heard their firsthand stories, including a powerful account from Hila, wife of wheelchair tennis Paralympian Adam Berdichevsky, who shared what she and Adam endured in their safe room that day.

Meira Goldman, a mission participant from Chicago, reflected:
“Hearing Hila speak about her experience in the safe room with Adam hit a very personal chord for me. She spoke about Adam's vulnerability as a person with a disability during a war… As a mother of a child with a disability, I often envision with horror what it would be like for my son… unable to keep up with his peers as they run for their lives.”

We then visited the Nova Festival site, now filled with memorials honoring the young lives taken.

11/18/2025

Our 65th Anniversary Mission has been off to an inspiring start!

On our first day, we arrived at the Israel ParaSport Center in Ramat Gan, where we enjoyed lunch with our athletes and met several remarkable members of our community, including former hostage Bar Kupershtein and his parents Julie and Tal. We had a moving dedication of our main gym scoreboard in memory of Zachary Berns z"l. Guests also connected with wheelchair rugby athlete and artist Miki Zar, whose story left a lasting impression.

Today took us to the north of Israel, where we had an unforgettable experience at Tulip Winery, a lovely winery that employs members of Kfar Tikvah, a community supporting individuals with special needs. Guests then took to the skies in an exhilarating flight simulator experience, piloting jets over the Tel Aviv skyline. The day included a wheelchair basketball game dedicated to Roei Shalev, captain of the Nova Basketball team that trains at the Center, who sadly took his own life last month.

We can't wait for our third day in Israel with the Israel ParaSport Center and it's fantastic athletes. Be sure to check out our livestream of the swim meet and groundbreaking ceremony tomorrow at 5:45 PM Israel time / 10:45 AM Eastern on Facebook!

11/18/2025

Our 65th Anniversary Mission is officially underway!

Leaders from our US community gathered today in Ramat Gan to kick off a powerful week of connection. They had the incredible privilege of meeting former hostage Bar Kupershtein, his father Tal, a beloved member of The Center’s community, and his mother Julie, whose inspiring words highlighted the heart and spirit that define The Center.

11/13/2025

Hey LA!

Join our friends at the for Light the Way: A Trailblazer’s Brunch, an inspiring event benefiting the Israel ParaSport Center.

🗓 Friday, Dec 5 | 10 AM – 12 PM
📍 Private Bel Air Location
Featuring Rabbi , in conversation on her new book Heart of a Stranger.

Proceeds will fund a specialized sports wheelchair, empowering Israeli with physical disabilities to live life without limits.

We’re proud to partner with the Golda Project and celebrate their incredible efforts to make a difference!