The Anti-Defamation League is launching its unique program, Sports Only, to promote social cohesion in Israeli sports. The Beitar Jerusalem football club is the first to join the initiative.

Carole Nuriel, director of ADL Israel: “Sports is a particularly volatile setting that involves many children and teenagers and hence its importance. The Anti-Defamation League’s Sports Only project is designed to address all aspects of competitive sports.“

Moshe Hogeg, the owner of the Beitar Jerusalem football club: “We consider it of supreme value to inculcate social-educational values ​​in our Youth Department through various activities and with the involvement of parents. We welcome this collaboration with the Anti-Defamation League and are happy to be the first to implement the program. I am certain this initiative will produce significant outcomes that will yield results in the coming years. “

Recalculating the route of Israeli sports:

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in Israel is launching a pilot program for a national project to promote the values ​​of social cohesion, partnership and respect in Israeli sports. The Beitar Jerusalem football club is the first to join the initiative.

In response to the challenges faced by national sports clubs, and based on recognition of the potential that lies in sports to lead social change, the Anti-Defamation League in Israel is harnessing the organization’s educational experience, along with its connections and initiatives in sports in the United States and the world to advance social values in Israeli sports.

The pilot program will be held in the Beitar Jerusalem football club in the context of the club’s children and youth teams and will involve the players, their parents and coaches. At the next stage, ADL Israel plans to expand the program to additional sports clubs.

Principles of the program:

• The pilot includes several components, including meetings with coaches to understand the challenges and to provide professional tools; meetings with all the groups of players selected; meetings of parents and more.
• The program will engage the club comprehensively: the players, coaches and parents. All three are required to produce a change in perceptions and attitudes.
• The Anti-Defamation League in Israel will provide a toolbox to address a variety of situations during the game and in relation to it, such as dealing with a tough loss, a close game, an unfavorable decision by the referee and more. In-depth educational work with all of these groups can lead to real change both on and off the field.
• The program empowers the participants, develops their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, and instills in them individual and group responsibility.
• The program helps participants develop verbal and social skills to create a respectful environment.

The program will be officially launched this Tuesday, October 16, 2018, at ADL Israel’s Social Cohesion Summit 2018, to be held at the International Convention Center, Jerusalem, together with the owner of the Beitar Jerusalem football club, Mr. Moshe Hogeg.

Carole Nuriel, the director of ADL Israel: “By joining and supporting the project, the leadership of the Beitar Jerusalem Sports club is sending a clear message that it wants to strengthen the foundations and values of respect and fair play. ADL Israel is proud to lead this program and we believe that its impact will be felt both on and off the playing fields.”

Moshe Hogeg, the owner of the Beitar Jerusalem football club: “We consider it of supreme value to inculcate social-educational values in our Youth Department through various activities and with the involvement of parents. We welcome this collaboration with the Anti-Defamation League and are happy to be the first to implement the program. I am certain that this initiative will produce significant outcomes that will yield results in the coming years.