ASHKELON, ISRAEL – Jeff Schwartz and Jordan Hirsch will serve as assistant coaches under Max Silberlicht, as the revamped Israel men’s national team staff continues to take shape ahead of the ELF European Lacrosse Championships, held in Wrocław, Poland in July of 2020.
Israel earned silver medals at the 2016 Euros, falling by one goal to European-powerhouse England in a frenzied atmosphere in Budapest, Hungary.
Schwartz and Hirsch manned the sidelines in that program-first Gold Medal game — Schwartz as Israel’s head coach, and Hirsch as an assistant — leading a team of domestic players to a 7-1 record in the campaign, including big wins over traditional European medalists in Germany and Wales.
“Beyond being exceptional coaches and leaders, Jeff and Jordan come with a deep understanding and passion for what Israel Lacrosse is trying to accomplish,” said Israel Lacrosse Chief Operating Officer David Lasday. “They, along with Max, will instill those principles into the team they put on the field, and inspire the next generation of Israeli lacrosse players.”
Schwartz, a graduate of the University of Lynchburg, served as a Graduate Assistant at his alma mater, helping guide the Hornets to an NCAA quarterfinal appearance in 2013. He made Aliyah in 2015 after completing the Masa Israel Journey program, residing in Ashdod and serving as a youth program director for the Israel Lacrosse Association before taking the reigns of the national team in 2016. As a player, Schwartz was team captain in his Junior and Senior seasons at Lynchburg, earning 2011 All-State Second Team, the 2011 All Old Dominion Athletic Conference First Team and the 2012 All-ODAC Second Team. He finished his stellar career as a faceoff specialist, winning 59% of his attempts at the ‘X’. His outstanding senior performance earned him the highest career winning faceoff percentage in Lynchburg’s history – a record he still holds. Schwartz, who currently resides in Barcelona, was also an assistant coach for Israel at the 2018 World Championships.
Since graduating from Nazareth College in 2007, Hirsch has served as an assistant lacrosse coach for his alma mater, Hampden-Sydney College and Lynchburg, gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience. As a captain during his senior campaign at Nazareth, Hirsch was named Empire 8 Conference Sportsman of the Year while helping lead his team to the NCAA Division III Quarterfinals. During his career, the Flyers also made an NCAA Final Four appearance in 2005 and National Championship appearance in 2004. Hirsch currently teaches Special Education and is currently in his ninth season as an assistant coach at Hendrick Hudson High School in Montrose, NY. He served as Director of Scouting for the blue-and-white at the 2018 World Championships.
Silberlicht, the former Latvia Coach and current Boston University assistant, was named Israel’s head coach in January. The team will begin training in April with a camp in Dresden, Germany.
The Israel Lacrosse Association is the National Governing Body of lacrosse in Israel, aiming to promote lacrosse in the Jewish State by allocating resources, programming and inspiring participation from all over the country. The organization’s vision is based on the belief that lacrosse has an important and significant role in strengthening the ties of Diaspora Jewry to Israel.