Second Annual Off Sides Tournament

This year’s Off Sides event was expanded to two separate tournaments benefiting two amazing organizations. One of the organizations, located in Israel near Modiin, is Ulpanat Dolev which was established in 1988 as a residential facility for girls at risk. Today it serves over 100 troubled girls who have been referred to the Ulpana by social workers. In addition to a basic high school education of religious and general studies, Ulpanat Dolev students are offered early childhood care giving courses, as well as courses in computer repair and programming, cosmetology, nutrition, catering and hotel studies. The school uses music, dance, videography and horseback riding as therapeutic tools to enhance each girl’s self esteem and to help them build successful lives after the Ulpana.

Chai Lifeline, the other organization, helps thousands of kids that are fighting cancer and other terminal illnesses. They provide dozens of amazing services to children and their families, ranging from, small things like visits to hospitals and presents on Hanukah, to massive programs like trips to Disney World and Camp Simcha.

Some community members have been fortunate enough to experience Camp Simcha firsthand while visiting during the annual “Deal Day” trip. It is an amazing place where kids can totally forget they are sick; a place where the word “no” does not exist; a place where kids from around the world are treated to experiences like helicopter rides, trips to NYC, and fireworks just outside their bunks. With state-of-the-art medical facilities on site and world class medical volunteers, the children are in excellent hands.

Our first Off Sides event, last year, was a girl’s soccer tournament  to benefit Ulpant Dolev. It was a tremendous success. Building on that, this year we added a boy’s football tournament to benefit Chai Lifeline.

The tournaments took place at Deal School, where almost 200 people who showed up early, eager and ready to play. The weather was perfect and the games were intense. After battling throughout the afternoon, with many close games, we made it to the quarter finals at about 2 pm. The semis and finals were truly amazing with every player giving it their all.

Winning the tournament for the boys were Steven Catton, David Zami, Jackie Bijou, Bobby Falack, Ralph Franco, and Meyer Tawil and Michael Adjmi was MVP. Rachel Wartman, Alison Kassin, Michelle Srour, Helen Menesh, Carol Mizrahi and Norma Kornman won the girl’s soccer and Ester Wartman received MVP.

The atmosphere was great, the games were fun, everyone had a wonderful time and can’t wait until  next year. We’re hoping it will be a bigger, better and more exiting tournament.

A big thank you goes out to an incredible event committee that worked tirelessly to make the tournament a tremendous success. Each member spent countless hours helping to raise money, pack bags and perfect each team. Thank you: Esther Wortman, Caroll Dweck, Renee Cohen,    Eileen Sutton, Harriet Sasson, Hymie Anteby, Eddie Esses, Daniel Dweck, Norman Greenberg, Adele Greenberg, Ralph Sutton, Emile Somekh, Joe Shalam, Celia Tawil, Sylvia Frasti, Susan Zeituny, Hannah Horowtiz, Barbara R. Franco, Barbara M. Franco and Teddy Chattah.

A special thank you to Norma Sutton for her extensive help with all the preparations and to all the referees, photographers, and our generous sponsors, whose donations made this event so successful. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who showed up, both to play and to watch.
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Jack Anteby a 17 year old senior at YOF.