The Olympic spirit connects Olympic athletes with children and teenagers who lost their parents in the Swords of Iron War

Oct 22, 2024 | Jews in Sports

This past week, over 160 orphaned children and teenagers met with Olympic athletes for an experiential sports activity in the spirit of Olympic values. The event, which was held at Kibbutz Shoval, was a joint initiative of the Israel Olympic Committee and the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization.

Nir Davidson – IDF Widows and Or[hans Organization


As part of the activity, orphans from the current Swords of Iron war and the Olympic athletes met for an Olympic sports day that was specially designed for them. The athletes who participated alongside the chairman of the Israeli Olympic Committee, Yael Arad, and the CEO of the Olympic Committee, Gili Lustig, included: Girmaw Amare, Maayan Davidovich, Yuval Freilich, Yam Wolczak, Nofar Edelman, Nina Amir, Gili Cohen, Shahar Kleiner, Eyal Rosiner and Nitai Hasson.

The purpose of the event was to give the orphans inspiration and support in light of the difficult reality they are experiencing and to provide them with an empowering and enjoyable experience together with the Olympic athletes that will help them deal with the bereavement and the many challenges they are going through.

Nir Davidson – IDF Widows and Or[hans Organization


The Olympic Committee in Israel sees great importance in promoting the values ​​of excellence, contribution to the community and education through sports. The event expressed the deep commitment of the Olympic athletes to social action and to supporting Israeli society, especially children and young men and women who are facing a particularly challenging time over the past year.

The event is part of a collaboration that will continue throughout the coming year and will include a series of activities and events aimed at giving orphans enriching and empowering experiences through the world of sports.

Nir Davidson – IDF Widows and Or[hans Organization


Yarden Har Lev, Head of Education and Solidarity at the Israel Olympic Committee said, “The Olympic Committee in Israel advocates social involvement as a significant part of the educational activity at the heart of which are the Olympic athletes. In the past year, alongside the preparations for the Olympic Games, the members of the Olympic delegation took part in a wide variety of activities out of a mission and responsibility to strengthen the resilience and support of the community. This week we began a special collaboration with the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization through an experiential Olympic day led by Olympic athletes. The natural connection created between the children and youth with the athletes through sports best expresses the values ​​of the Olympic spirit.”

Tami Shelach, Chairwoman of the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization added, “The orphans who lost their parents experience daily challenges that require inner strength, perseverance, and determination – qualities that also accompany the Olympic athletes on their way to achievements. The connection between these champions and our children and youth is not only a connection of sports, but a connection of hearts. A day like this, in which they work together in the Olympic spirit, gives orphans inspiration and support that reminds them that even in the most difficult times, with willpower and perseverance, they can overcome any obstacle. We are proud of this opportunity and are happy that the Olympic athletes are a model for inspiration and imitation for the orphans who chose to be a part of this journey.”

Nir Davidson – IDF Widows and Or[hans Organization

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