Halper Promotes Sports Club in Israel

While planning a Bar Mitzvah trip to Israel in honor of their 13-year-old son, Matthew, Priscilla and Jamie Halper wanted to pick a mitzvah project that they could incorporate into their trip. Now Matthew, who is an avid baseball, football and basketball player, is benefiting Ethiopian children and youth at the Jewish Agency’s Mevasseret Zion Absorption Center, many of whom are promising athletes. The Halpers decided to support in some way the first place that welcomes thousands of Ethiopian Jews coming to Israel. The family chose the sports program at the Mevasseret Zion Absorption Center, with over half of its 1,300 residents under the age of 18. Matthew learned of the importance of a Jewish state from his two-year stay in Poland, where his father conducted business. Prior to his trip, Matthew began a pen pal exchange with Sissay, an Ethiopian student who participates in the athletic club. Sissay took the opportunity to practice his English lessons while communicating with Matthew, as he told him of his relocation to Israel one year ago with his parents, five brothers and six sisters. The Halpers raised funds for sports shoes, training outfits, uniforms and sports equipments for about 80 young participants in the various sports clubs at Mevasseret. The tennis, soccer, basketball and athletics clubs boost the childrens’ confidence, keeping them off the streets, while developing discipline and sportsmanship. The importance of these efforts may be realized in the future, as the youth gain acceptance in Israeli society as first class citizens. Matthew is planning to continue to do work and raise money on behalf of the absorption center. On the first night of Chanukah, 40 members of Matthew’s extended family, including Palisadian grandparents Arline and Joe Halper, joined sports club members and staff to light the first candle. Joe is president of the Palisades Democratic Club and an active community member. Next, Matthew presented athletic shoes to representatives from each club. The candle lighting, and Matthew’s Bar Mitzvah, was officiated by Kehillat Israel’s Canter Chaim Frankel, who joined the family with his wife Marci.