ASHKELON, ISRAEL – Charlie Ratner, a native of Ho-Ho-Haus, NJ will relocate to Israel in October to participate in Israel Lacrosse’s Masa Gap Year program.
Ratner will live like a local, train, compete, and directly contribute to the grassroots development of the sport in Israel. The 20-year-old midfielder will also have a prioritized opportunity to be evaluated to compete at the Men’s European Lacrosse Championships held in Wroclaw, Poland from July 21-30, 2021.
Ratner withdrew from the fall semester at Hamilton College to participate in Israel Lacrosse’s Masa Gap Year program. As a freshman in 2019, Ratner started in all 14 games for the Continentals, recording a season-high of three points, two goals, and one assist against Middlebury. He finished the year with eight goals, five assists, nine ground balls, and four caused turnovers.
“Charlie Ratner has a love for his surrounding community and we cannot wait to see the impact he makes in our organization,” said Jacob Silberlicht, Director of Men’s Lacrosse and Acting Men’s Head Coach. “We are pumped to have the New Jersey native engrain himself in the lacrosse community here in Israel and develop as a person and player.”
Ratner is a former player at North Highlands Regional High School and a member of Brotherhood Lacrosse Club.
Israel Lacrosse has worked with Masa Israel since 2015 to provide young adults between the ages of 18-30 immersive and life-changing international experiences, including internship experiences in Israel. Israel Lacrosse is the nation’s fully functioning National Governing Body of the sport that has a large range of internships and opportunities to offer. Participants of our gap year programs have the opportunity to build their resume, learn Hebrew, interact with Israelis, and contribute to growing the sport of lacrosse in Israel.
Athletes who are interested in learning more about the Israel Lacrosse Gap Year program should contact Director of Men’s Lacrosse, Seth Mahler at [email protected].