IFCJ Canada supports soccer programming that brings together children from all backgrounds
July 30 is International Day of Friendship. This day was proclaimed by the United Nations in 2011 in order to build bridges between communities and inspire peace. International Day of Friendship is the perfect time to highlight a soccer camp project supported by International Fellowship of Christians and Jews of Canada. Hapoel Katamon offers Israeli children from underprivileged areas of Jerusalem the chance to make friends by playing soccer together. It is a community strengthening program and allows children from different backgrounds to join together, make friends, cooperate in teamwork, and enjoy a healthier lifestyle.
Since 2009, Hapoel Katamon has been assisting the children of Jerusalem. Twice a week, the program leaders and children gather together to practice soccer. In addition to soccer practice, the community program offers a weekly educational center, where children can receive support in their schoolwork and additional educational curricula. Hapoel Katamon brings together children from all of Jerusalem’s diverse backgrounds – Jewish and Arab, religious and secular, children from affluent neighborhoods, and those from less fortunate economic backgrounds. The soccer league includes more than 50 teams with a total of about 750 children, both boys and girls.
Many of the children participating in Hapoel Katamon face poverty and division in their neighbourhoods. With a focus on building bridges of understanding and creating stronger bonds, the program fights bias and discrimination by connecting children of different backgrounds–showing them that by building friendships and solidarity, they can create a healthier and more connected world!
IFCJ Canada proudly supports this project as it uses sports to reach out and provide for the needs of Israeli children in disadvantaged families and neighbourhoods. Instead of going home to empty houses or roaming the streets, the program gives these children a chance to grow in a structured environment with volunteers ready to help them with school work, self-esteem, and other important life skills.
“Supporting and funding this program goes beyond providing a child with the chance to participate in activities that they would not otherwise be able to afford,” said Jackie Gotwalt, Executive Director of IFCJ Canada. “It lends the opportunity to create unity and joy – through the love of sport – while removing barriers across different cultures and faiths. Children are our future, and by cultivating an environment of respect, camaraderie, and sportsmanship at an early age we are bringing a positive influence to communities as children grow up.”
For more information about Hapoel Katamon and why IFCJ Canada is a proud supporter, visit the link here.
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The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) was founded in 1983 to promote better understanding and cooperation between Christians and Jews and build broad support for Israel. Today it is one of the leading forces helping Israel and Jews in need worldwide and is the largest channel of Christian support for Israel. Founded by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, The Fellowship raised more than $200 million in 2021, mostly from Christians, to assist Israel and the Jewish people. Since its founding, The Fellowship has raised more than $2.6 billion for this work. The organization has offices in Jerusalem, Chicago, Toronto, and Seoul. For more information, visit www.ifcj.ca.
Jackie Gotwalt started her career with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews of Canada as the Executive Assistant and Stewardship Associate over 10 years ago. During this time she has held progressively senior roles in the areas of donor relations, operations management, and program compliance. She credits the successes of her experience to learning and working with some of the smartest people in the non-profit industry. Jackie has held the position of Executive Director since 2020 and believes that the best experiences happen through being flexible, adaptable, agile, and motivated. She lives in Toronto proper along with her dog, Jimmy.
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