Students Play Basketball With Israeli Teens

by Talia Herbst, SSLI '25

Last Thursday, after school, the Schechter Community gathered in the gym to welcome a group of Israeli teens from the Gaza Envelope. The Israeli team, called the Eshkol Basketball Team, came to play a game of basketball against the Schechter Boys Basketball Team.

Students gathered in the gymnasium for the game. (T. Herbst)

The Eshkol Basketball Team players have been sadly displaced due to the attack on October 7. All of the players came from Kibbutzim that ended up in horrible conditions after the attack, such as Kibbutz Be’eri and Nir Oz. 

The Israeli teens came to New York through an organization called Project 24, which was launched shortly after the October 7 atrocity. According to their website, Project 24 “connect[s] Israeli communities affected by the October 7 attack with North American Jews, focusing on mutual support and healing.” One of the Eshkol team's coaches was tragically killed during the attack on October 7, and one of their players was taken hostage. Fortunately, he was later released and was present at the game.

Schechter was eager and proud to host this event. Interim Head of School Ofra Hiltzik said, “For me, it was a no-brainer. If not us hosting, then who?”

Both teams played hard! (T. Herbst)

There was a large turnout, and lots of members of the Schechter community came to show their love and support. Athletic Director Josh Jurysta thought “it was really incredible how our community really showed up for such a unique and special event.”

Many of the players on the Schechter team, which included senior Rachel Sedaghat on the roster, were able to connect with the Israeli team during and after the game. Senior Logan Hauser shared that he had a lovely time playing against the team and connecting with the Israeli teens. Hauser said that he can’t even imagine what they are going through, and if playing a game of basketball can bring normalcy to them, he was glad to be able to partake in that.

Everyone shook hands and celebrated at the end of the game. (T. Herbst)

Junior Samson Mildron was a spectator at the game. He shared, “The game was really amazing and inspiring, and I was really happy to be a spectator with my friends and my Schechter Kehila [community].”

To many, this game meant a lot. Hiltzik said, “Because those students from that basketball team literally came from the place where I’m from, to me it was a visit from a home away from home.” 

 Mildron added, “Watching this game was really uplifting, and it showed a true sense of Jewish people and the value of togetherness.”

Hiltzik concluded, “I'm proud of my kids and proud of the community that we are here. The entire time I thought about how much Omer would have loved to be here and to see it.”

Talia Herbst is a writer for Paw Print Now and has been published on the site since December 2021. Talia is currently a junior at the Schechter School of Long Island and can be reached at the following email address: therbst25@schechterli.org.