Hoop Dreams in Kiryat Moshe

Like many of his Canadian peers, Toronto native David Goodman's birthright israel trip included a visit to Kiryat Moshe, a Rehovot neighborhood, with many Ethiopian immigrants, where UJA Federation of Greater Toronto has provided significant assistance.  His group participated in a new building project to develop a clubroom next to the existing community centre. 

But David had a greater vision.  Upon returning to Toronto, he decided to take his commitment to the neighborhood a step further and, after speaking to representatives from Kiryat Moshe, David decided to sponsor a basketball court. To raise the funds, he organized a basketball tournament in Toronto.  On June 20, he saw the fruits of his labours, when he participated in the new court's inaugural ceremony and opening game.

"It is incredibly emotional to see what one kid with a dream, and a community that is committed to helping people reach their dreams, can achieve,” said Lorne Klemensberg, Director of CIE Israel, affiliated with UJA Federation and Canada’s largest organizer of birthright israel trips.

Guests at the ceremony, which began after the birthright participants worked on the clubroom renovations, included Rehovot Mayor Shuki Forer; Yossi Tanuri, Director-General of UIA Federations Canada, the umbrella organization for Canadian Jewish Federations; UJA Federation of Greater Toronto Chair, David Engel and UJA Federation President Ted Sokolsky. 

"From the moment he returned to Toronto, David Goodman worked tirelessly to make this vision a reality,” said Engel. “David's commitment is an example to both our communities."

Following their remarks, a group of local Ethiopian youth performed an original rap, celebrating the partnership between Kiryat Moshe and Toronto.  But most appropriately, the festivities ended with a basketball tournament – the first of many, thanks to David Goodman.