See above for a brief view of our 2022 Hanukkah 8's tournament. 

Israel Lacrosse Family (משפחה),

I hope everyone is great as we start 2023! We've got exciting information in this email including our 2022 recap, new hiring announcement, upcoming programs, and 2022 awards. I hope you'll take a look.

All my best,

Ian

Claire Rosenberg Joins Israel Lacrosse

Claire leading practice during the 2022 Hanukkah 8's tournament

We're thrilled to announce our hiring of Claire Rosenberg who will be coming on as our Head of Women's coaching! Claire is living in Israel and working closely with our youth development infrastructure to further grow Israel Women's lacrosse. We couldn't be more excited about her impact and you can view the full press release on her below. 

Upcoming Programs

2022 Winter Service Trip

Contact Seth at Seth@israellacrosse.org to register or learn more about our programs.

Heritage Cup:

Description:

The Heritage cup is an international men's lacrosse tournament held annually in conjunction with the NCAA Championships aimed at promoting and growing International lacrosse. This year, the tournament will be held at Rowan University with the NCAA Men's championship weekend happening nearby in Philadelphia, PA. We'll be fielding teams for multiple age levels; a Men's team for college players, a U18 team for High School players, and a U15 team as well. All participants will compete in international exhibition games in the mornings and attend NCAA games in the afternoons. It's certainly a jam-packed weekend you will not want to miss!

Dates:

Friday, May 26 - Monday, May 29, 2023

Ages:

U15, U18, Men's

High School Summer Service Trip:

Description:

Join Jewish High school players from throughout North America helping develop lacrosse, coaching, training, and competing together alongside Israeli peers. Participants will compete in the Israeli League (Im ok with saying Israel Premier Lacrosse League) and tour the country. We are incredibly excited to finally offer a summer program for high school-age participants of ALL skill levels. Spots are filling up quickly so let us know ASAP if you're interested!

We’re pleased to announce that we have been approved as a RootOne trip provider partner for Summer 2023! Participants are welcome to apply for the RootOne Voucher to receive $3,000 towards their overall trip cost.

Dates:

July 16-August 6, 2023

Ages:

Currently in High School, including current seniors graduating spring 2023.

Birthright:

Description:

A free 10-day trip to Israel for 40 Jewish college lacrosse players to bond, tour, explore, and compete this summer. This program includes all the same opportunities as a traditional Birthright trip, this program also allows participants to keep a stick in their hands, meet other Jewish lacrosse players, and play two games during the 10-day trip!

Dates:

July 9-19, 2023

Ages:

18-26

Men's and Women's Summer Session:

Description:

We will be playing, coaching, and touring all over Israel! Join us to live by the beach, train at our facility, and experience Israel in one of the most genuine and fulfilling ways possible. Open to players of all faiths and backgrounds, come to experience Israel the way you want! 

Dates:

July 19-August 6, 2023

Ages:

18+

Gap-Year/Fellowship

Description:

Come to Israel and live in our apartment in Ashkelon with views of the Mediterranean situated halfway between our National Training Center and the beach. Our Fellows quickly ingrain themselves in Israeli society and get to live like locals while also taking over one of our youth lacrosse clubs. This is an unmatched opportunity to make a real impact on the growth of lacrosse while also taking full advantage of our incredible country.

Dates:

Oct-June,* 2023-24

*dates are flexible

Ages:

18+

2022 AWARDS

Ori Bar-David (left) and Dafna Siboni (right) accepting their awards.

2022 Israel Lacrosse Man/Woman of the Year

The Israel Lacrosse Association has honored Ori Bar-David and Dafna Siboni, naming them the winners of the Mort and Judi Beroza Award for Man and Woman of the Year in recognition of their outstanding individual contributions to the development of Israel Lacrosse in 2022.

You can read more about this award and the recipients HERE.

More about this award:

Mort and Judi Beroza Man/Woman of the Year

This annual award is given in honor of Mort and Judi Beroza, who were active members of Hempstead’s Temple Beth Israel for over 60 years, exemplified an immense passion for the sport of lacrosse, as well as a deep commitment to service, family, and community. Their son, Bill Beroza, was a 2x All-American at Roanoke, played for team USA (including captaining the gold medal team in 1982), has been inducted into the Roanoke, NY Jewish Sports, Virginia, Long Island, and US Lacrosse Halls of Fame, and is one of our founding board members.

Mort and Judi Beroza with sons Bill and Greg at Team USA exhibition in 1985.

2022 Israel Lacrosse Goalies of the Year

Lishay Halali (left) and Aviel Girdish (right) accepting their awards.

The Israel Lacrosse Association has honored Aviel Girdish and Lishay Halali as the winners of these awards for their incredible contributions and commitments to Israel Lacrosse in 2022. 

You can read more about these awards and recipients HERE.

Named in honor of two goalies who have gone above and beyond for Israel and Israel Lacrosse, both of these awards are intended to recognize goalies who have made a lasting impact on Israel Lacrosse through the last year. More about the awards:

The Howard "Cookie" Krongard Most Outstanding Men's Goalie:

Howard "Cookie" Krongard played on Princeton's undefeated Ivy League championship teams from 1959-1961, earned first-team All-American honors in 1961, was selected as the USCLA's Player of the Year in both 1968 and 1974, voted USILA Man of the Year in 1983, and was inducted into the U.S. National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the New York Sports Hall of Fame. Not only a wildly successful lacrosse player, Cookie continues to give back to the Jewish world including his sponsorship of this award for excellence within the goalkeeper world. 

The Alex Freedman and Family Most Outstanding Women's Goalie:

Alex Freedman is one of the pioneering forces behind Israel women's lacrosse. Put simply, the growth of lacrosse in Israel would be nowhere near its current level without her immense contributions. Throughout high school, Alex traveled to Israel many times to grow the game until she graduated from Middlebury college in 2018,  and made Aliyah, moving to Israel full time. She was a staple in goal for our Women's National team, instrumental in our ability to host the 2018 World Championships and a coach of the U19 Girls National team. There are very few who even approach her level of commitment to Israel Lacrosse and the Jewish world.

Cookie Krongard playing in the 2021 Princeton Alumni Game and Alex Freedman with her family in 2016 after tryouts for the 2017 Women's World Cup Team.