Tag Archives: Jerusalem All Stars

by | September 20, 2012 · 7:22 pm

Seeing each other as people…. with masks on

The mask workshop requires physical closeness and trust between Palestinian and Israeli participants

LDP-er Juman (right) shows a younger PeacePlayers the right moves on the basketball court

This past weekend, PPI – ME returned to Kibbutz Sdot Yam for another in a long line of retreats that we’ve been holding to kick off the year. First there was the Jerusalem All-Stars excursion to Eilat last month, and the Professional Development Retreat for coaches took place a week after that. This time around it was the Peace Education Retreat for kids from East and West Jerusalem and the surrounding area. More than 50 kids ages 12-14 as well as Leadership Development Program (LDP) kids 15 and up were in attendance. In addition to playing basketball, the younger kids, many of whom are totally new to PPI, got an intensive intro to the Peace Education curriculum, which teaches kids to see each other as people on the basketball court and off. The workshop was led by new on-staff facilitators Nissreen and Renana, who led the session in two groups, one in Hebrew and one in Arabic, to maximize the younger children’s comprehension and ability to actively participate. LDP, who are already well versed in the curriculum, are putting a greater emphasis on gaining the tools to lead the curriculum.

On-staff facilitator Renana leads younger and newer participants in an Anatomy of Peace workshop

As an extra treat, PPI – ME Project Manager and facilitator Nissreen (who is also an artist) led a creative workshop that delves into the notion of cooperation and trust that are at the core of our program. For the activity, Palestinian and Israeli youth were split up into mixed pairs. Each member of every pair was charged with the task of applying plaster masks to his or her partner’s face. As Nissreen explains, the workshop offers an opportunity for intense cooperation, trust and communication. “Plaster, when not applied correctly with the right amount of Vaseline can stick to a person’s skin. Each member of the pair had to trust that the other person was taking the care to apply the mask the right way.” Nissreen also added that “the physical interaction make them feel comfortable with one another. Having contact with each other’s faces, which is very intimate, creates a sense of closeness and creates a positive feeling.” Workshops like these complement the impact of basketball, which works the body, and the curriculum, which works the mind, by creating a casual and fun way to build closeness.

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by | August 30, 2012 · 4:01 pm

Champions in the Making: The Jerusalem All-Stars Head South

The All-Stars are getting a leg up on the competition with some intense pre-season training

Last weekend, 30 Palestinian and Israeli girls from Jerusalem took a trip to Kibbutz Ketura, near the southern tip of Israel. And these weren’t just any girls – they were new and veteran members of the trailblazing Jerusalem All-Stars, the first ever mixed Palestinian-

The co-existence hair salon is now in session

Israeli teams to compete in the Israel Basketball Association’s elite youth league. This coming year, thanks to a partnership with top Israeli women’s basketball club ASA Jerusalem, the All-Stars will amount to three teams, one of which will compete at the national level, the highest grade of competition available in Israel to youth this age. The new Jerusalem All-Stars will include veteran members as well as new members who were drafted from the ranks of ASA Jerusalem.

This trip, which was supported by the Land Brandenburg Minister President (Germany), a donation facilitated by the Jerusalem Foundation, was designed as a team-building and training camp ahead of the coming season. The retreat included lots of basketball training, led by coach (and PPI – ME program manager) Oshra Amoyal, and a trip to the nearby resort town of Eilat, where girls got to rest their muscles with an afternoon on a yacht. During downtime, girls swam in the kibbutz pool and even got into sleepover mode and did each other’s hair in a sort of impromptu co-existence hair salon.

The interaction between the girls was so natural, so normal, that you would never guess that they come from two sides of a strained

The girls rested their muscles in the kibbutz swimming pool

and often violent divide. You would never guess that these girls, like PeacePlayers in general, are the exception to a very unfortunate unwritten rule. In the coming year, we hope that their ability to see each other as people will translate to superior sportsmanship and teamwork, and that these girls will be champions on the court in the same manner as they are champions in spirit.

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by | July 5, 2012 · 5:03 pm

The Jerusalem All-Stars 2011-2012 and Visitors from America

PPI – ME is getting ready for a fun-filled week with PPI board members and friends from America!!  We’re really excited to have the opportunity to show our guests all the programs we provide for hundreds of Palestinian and Israeli children each year.
In the mean time, watch this AWESOME video of the Jerusalem All-Stars, who made it to second place this season!!
We are so excited to rev up for the 2012-2013 season.
GO ALL-STARS!

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by | June 14, 2012 · 2:22 pm

PPI-ME 2012 Peace League Tournament “Israeli and Palestinian Girls Balling Together”

The players take a break from their training to smile for the camera.

Intensity was high!  A year’s worth of hard work and determination at weekly practices and “Twinnings” compounded with the newfound knowledge of PPI – ME’s peacebuilding curriculum was finally culminating in a three hour event.  For the girls participating, it seemed so natural.  For onlookers, it was a pleasure to watch.

PPI – ME participants stretch in preparation for the big game.

Participating teams at PPI – ME’s annual Peace League Tournament hailed from East and West Jerusalem, Pisgat Ze’ev, and Mate Yehuda.  The girls have worked so hard to get to this point, and now, this was my time to see how they have progressed in basketball and leadership skills, attitude and behavior and sportsmanship.  It was beyond the intensity on the court, but rather the chemistry that spoke loud and clear: these girls are a family!

Participants were split into three integrated teams.  Once they were divided, they began playing against each other for a total of three games. Everyone was cheering during the tournament-style event – and not just for their own teams. The girls, who come from not only different areas of Jerusalem, but from very different upbringings, took an interest in the game when they weren’t the ones playing.  They sat in the stands with the other friends and families, and watched and cheered their new-found friends on the court.

Guest coaches provide feedback to their players during a time-out.

The Jerusalem All Stars (an integrated team that competes in the National Basketball League) proved to be the dominating team with some of PPI-ME’s most advanced Palestinian and Israeli players. They made their presence known on the court with an intense defense and a great chemistry on both the defensive and offensive ends of the floor.

It was truly a victory for everyone!  At the end of the event, medals and trophies were distributed to all the victors.  Everyone had a great time!

GO TEAM PEACEPLAYERS!

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by | April 4, 2012 · 8:13 pm

PPI Hosts 2nd Annual “Dropping Dimes for Peace” at Hill Country BBQ in New York

Ann Curry (center) and Brian Ross (2nd from right), who visited our South Africa program site last August, met up with PPI - SA's former Fellow, Claire Perry (3rd from right).

Monday evening, April 2nd,  PeacePlayers International (PPI) held its annual “Dropping Dimes for Peace” pre-party to the NCAA Basketball Tournament Final at Hill Country Barbecue in New York City.

The event brought together friends, activists and supporters of the critical sports diplomacy and peace education work PPI does everyday in conflict zones throughout the world.

125 guests attended, including dancers from NETS Basketball, a PPI sponsor. Overall, PPI raised $29,000 through ticket sales and a raffle, which included prizes such as: signed Knicks gear, tickets to the Colbert Report and David Letterman, a basket from Tribeca Treats (which also donated cupcakes to serve at the event) and a Martha’s Vineyard getaway.

Cassia Schifter (left) and Rachel Thebault (right) collect their raffle prizes, which included a signed Jeremy Lin jersey.

Guests listened as PPI’s Executive Director, Brendan Tuohey, introduced a video about one of PPI’s most successful projects, the Jerusalem All Stars, and then shared his first-hand experience from Belfast of the powerful impact PPI is having on both the micro and macro levels via our new Sport4Change initiative.

We would like to extend our thanks to our generous sponsors, our gracious host Hill Country BBQ and to everyone who came out to support PPI. See you next year – same game, same place.

Click here to see the full event photo album on Facebook. 

Save the date: Next year’s March Madness events have been scheduled for Thursday, March 28, 2013 (NCAA Sweet 16 “Party for Peace” in DC) and Monday, April 8, 2013 (“Dropping Dimes for Peace” NCAA Final pre-party in NYC). 

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by | March 1, 2012 · 2:04 pm

The Language of Basketball: American High School and PPI Players Hoopin’ It Up

In true PPI tradition, kids were shuffled up and divided into two mixed teams so both PPI kids and American kids got to play together instead of just competing against each other.

By Edniesha Curry

On February 29, 2012, 8th graders from the Bi-Cultural High School from Stamford, Conneticut, took time out of their action-packed three-week trip to Israel to play basketball with PPI’s Palestinian and Israeli boys and girls. One of the visitors was Hannah Kriftcher, the daughter of PPI’s very own board treasurer Brian Kriftcher, who is a basketball coach himself.

In true PPI tradition, all the kids were shuffled up and divided into two mixed teams with both PPI kids and American kids got to play together instead of just competing against each other, so the experience was very memorable for all involved.  After the game, the players received the chance to engage in an open dialogue and ask questions about what it’s like to participate in PPI. One of most popular questions was:

“How do other people in your school and community feel about your association with PPI?”

Juman Ayoub, who plays on the Jerusalem All Stars team, had a very beautiful answer about dealing with racism and her peers’ preconceived notions. She said at PeacePlayers you are taught to see people for who they are not for their religious or cultural background. This is a message that is easy to bring to skeptical schoolmates.

Another popular question was:

“How do you play with so many cultural and language barriers?”

Duha Nimer, who is a part of girls’ Leadership Development Program as well as The Jerusalem All Stars, explained to the American visitors that though everyone speaks many languages and comes from many different places when they get on the court they all speak the language of basketball together, and through that become a family. And that is what PPI is all about.

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by | January 12, 2012 · 2:48 pm

Mid-Season Update: The Jerusalem All Stars

The All-Stars warm up before the game.

Our league teams are on mid-season break until the beginning of February, and we thought it was a good time to catch you guys up on how this season has been going for our powerhouse team, the Jerusalem All Stars. You might remember from last year that the Jerusalem All Stars is the first team with both Palestinian and Israeli players from East and West Jerusalem to play in the Israel Basketball Association’s elite youth league. Last year, the All Stars shocked the competition, with the totally unknown team blowing more veteran, esteemed teams out of the water. This is their sophomore season in the league, and they are one win away from first place in their division (click here to see a video clip from a recent game against a team from the city of Rehovot, which included at least six three-pointers by our girls). The Jerusalem All Stars have won all but one game so far. Their one loss was against the as yet undefeated Otzma Modi’in, whom the All Stars hope to upset in the second round of competition, a win that would push them into the number one slot.

Juman (left) and Gal (right) hang out after the game.

Although we’re really proud of these girls for their accomplishments on the court, their success in the league means more than just a chance at the division championship. We first decided to engage in elite league basketball after recognizing from experience (following Twinnings with some heavy-hitting teams) that when the basketball competition is more serious, participants are more committed and invested: teambuilding efforts thrive and feelings of personal accomplishment are greater.

It also lends sports coexistence efforts with a greater level of exposure and legitimacy, catapulting small scale community efforts into the mainstream. After a year and a half in the league, we can tell you that these hypotheses have indeed proved to be true. The Jerusalem All Stars girls are like family, having forged a unified team identity that transcends mere ethnic and religious lines. This process of acceptance did not just impact the team, it impacted the girls’ entire league division as well, with opposing teams, spectators and league referees gradually gaining respect for these exceptional Palestinian and Israeli athletes. When the All Stars win, not just us at PPI win; rather, it is a victory for all Palestinians and Israelis who strive for peace.

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by | October 20, 2011 · 2:45 pm

Girl Power: PPI – ME Cultivates Female Athletes and Leaders

Doha regularly volunteers as an assistant coach with younger PeacePlayers.

Over 50% of the kids shooting hoops and building peace with PeacePlayers International – Middle East are girls. We’ve made it a priority to make sure that Palestinian and Israeli girls are given the opportunity to excel through sport, all the while they are learning to cooperate with their counterparts from “the other side.” This is not a given. Among Palestinian youth, for every 100 boys who play in sports clubs, only 28 girls do the same.[i]

Doha speeds down the court at a Jerusalem-All Stars practice.

In Israel, only about 25 percent of participants in competitive sport are women, a number lower than the average in both the Western world and the world at large. This is the result of “an unsupportive system, lack of appropriate coaches and professionals, [and] a lack of financial and social rewards similar to those that are enjoyed by males.”[ii]This imbalance is most noticeable in the same traditional and conservative communities that suffer most from poverty, where women’s participation in athletics is frowned upon by conservative religious social elements in local society. Given the fact that a strong link has been found between girls’ participation in sport and higher academic achievement and future professional success,[iii] we’ve taken it upon ourselves to bring athletic opportunities to girls who wouldn’t necessarily have access otherwise.

“In the Arab community, they believe that girls should stay at home and clean. But we get to play basketball and meet people from [other places].”

Doha takes part in a workshop led by motivational speaker and entrepreneur Yvonne Davis.

Doha is one such girl, or shall I say young woman. Doha is 16 years old, and in the Palestinian East Jerusalem community from which she hails, sports isn’t something that girls normally get to do. Doha, who has been a part of PPI – ME since our inception in 2005, is an excellent basketball player and this year is starting her second year with the Jerusalem All-Stars, an integrated Palestinian-Israeli team from East and West Jerusalem that competes in the Israel Basketball Association’s youth league. Before the All-Stars entered the league, no Palestinian from East Jerusalem had ever played in the prestigious league. Doha is also a member of the fully integrated Leadership Development Program, and regularly volunteers as an assistant coach with younger PeacePlayers as part of her hands-on leadership training.

It’s not just Doha who’s excited about PeacePlayers, her parents have been bought in as well. “My parents love PeacePlayers and encourage me to go. They love that I’m in sports.” With everything she’s got going on, Doha gets to play basketball and interact with her Israeli peers nearly every day of the week. “I think PeacePlayers is like a second home,” she says. “Home is love and family, and that’s how I feel towards the other girls in PeacePlayers.”

[i] Cultural and Leisure Activities.” Palestinian Children – Issues and Statistics. Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.

[ii] Darom, Roni. “Women’s Sport in Israel.” Sport and Physical Culture in Israel in the 20th Century Eds. Haim B. Kaufman and Haggay Harif. (Hebrew; Jerusalem: Ben-Tzvi Institute–Wingate Institute, 2002), p. 431.

[iii] Stevenson, Betsey. Beyond the Classroom: Using Title IX to Measure the Return to High School Sports. The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. 2009. the Return to High School Sports. The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. 2009. http://bpp.wharton.upenn.edu/betseys/papers/TitleIX.pdf

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by | October 3, 2011 · 1:00 pm

Changing Lives One Dribble at a Time

This week’s blog post was written by Edniesha Curry, an American coach who visited PPI – ME this past week as a part of the “America House Life Skills Event Series” funded by the US Consulate in Jerusalem. Edniesha has extensive background as a coach and as a player. From 2002 – 2010, she played for the WNBA and FIBA, which included three seasons in Israel. She has extensive coaching experience with children of all ages, and the opportunity to show us her stuff this week:

Dear World,

I arrived in Israel on September 23, 2011 to work with PeacePlayers International –Middle East’s basketball and leadership programs. What I found when I arrived were some very wonderful people using the game of basketball to change the lives of children of both Arab and Jewish backgrounds. It has opened my eyes to how powerful a sport truly can be; it was more then winning games, or even winning individual awards. It was basketball in its purest form – outdoor training session, indoor training session – it didn’t matter, it was just about bringing people together for an important cause.  This cause was to help the children of both Jewish and Arab backgrounds become united and to see one another for who they are, not for what they are.

The feeling I received from the staff, the boys, girls, young men and women was one that was better than any championship I have won or even my first run out of the tunnel for my WNBA game. The game meant more here, it was so pure, it was fun again, it gave me memories of when I was kid and use to giggle during practice and just laugh with my teammates.

Peace Players is doing something truly special here in Israel and everyone should do whatever they can to support this organization’s efforts to continue to grow and unite both Arab and Jewish children. PeacePlayers is doing what everyone in the world should be doing, changing the lives of our children for the better through positive life skills training and building positive relationships in the communities.

I want to thank the LDP Boys, Jeruselum All Stars, Beit Shemesh, Hand in Hand School, Keshet, Beit Safafa teams, all the coaches and staff at PeacePlayers for such a wonderful experience teaching the game of basketball. I will conclude by saying that we all come from different communities, religions, cultural backgrounds and different languages; but when the whistle blows and the balls begin to bounce, we are all one family, we are all PeacePlayers.

Thank You,

Edniesha Curry

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by | September 15, 2011 · 4:31 pm

Middle East Muscle: The Jerusalem All-Stars in Pre-Season Training

C'mon girls. Just ten more.

We may be just a couple of weeks into the new programming year, but the Jerusalem All-Stars are already deep into pre-season training:

Hey, just because they're basketball players, doesn't mean they can't play volleyball, too.

As you may remember, the All-Stars made waves last year as the first ever integrated Palestinian/Israeli Jerusalem team ever to have competed in the Israeli Basketball Association’s elite youth league. This year the girls are back and determined to get even farther in the competition than last year (when they went home with an impressive second place in their first season). In order to get into tip top shape for the season, the girls have been heading to the coast twice a week for pre-season training with last year’s National Cup champs Elitzur Holon. Both teams have been training on the beach in Herzliya under the guidance of expert trainer Alon Levy and PPI – ME Director of Basketball Operations Vito Gilic’.

PPI youth need to be flexible in their bodies and minds as well

Both teams are building strength, stamina and flexibility with a rigorous regimen of stretches and gravity defying drills. This past week, girls also got to play some beach volleyball. Once the season starts, the girls will have practices at least twice a week and games every week, so they will need to be ready.

But these encounters are not just about getting in shape physically; they’re about getting into shape as a team. As an integrated Palestinian-Israeli team, this is not necessarily a given. So, they’re getting a little refresher in the PPI way (even though when you learn the PPI way, it’s not something you easily forget). The All-Stars will get a chance to prove that pre-season training and team building pay off when the season officially gets started next month.

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