Israel ParaSport Center

10/12/2026

On Tuesday night, more than 300 members of our Chicago community joined us for Teaming with Laughter. The room fell silent for stories from The Center, then roared with laughter when The Sklar Brothers took the stage.

Most of all, it was a room full of connections: to our athletes, to Israel, and to each other. Guests who arrived knowing little about the Israel ParaSport Center left as part of the family.

That evening, we raised more than $100,000!!! Together, the event has raised over $440,000, and pledges are still coming in. With your support, we know we'll reach the $500,000 goal.

To everyone who laughed, cried, and gave with us: thank you. 💙

Atlanta, we’re coming for you next. See you October 27!

09/24/2026

09/24/2026

National Cup Champions! 🏓

Our para table tennis team won the Israel National Cup for Classified Para Table Tennis Teams!

The team included Yehonatan Levi, Omer Gadot, Ido Hamami and Haim Kimchi, coached by Danny Bobrov, Idan Levi and Benzi Blank.

A special shoutout to 18-year-old Yehonatan, who recently qualified for the World Championships, and 12-year-old Omer, who is the first para-athlete to have started training at the Sports Academy at the Wingate Institute.

And here’s the championship point for the Israel ParaSport Center by Omer against Zev! 🔥🏆

Congratulations to the whole team! 💙

09/15/2026

The US Open. Two Israelis on one of the biggest stages in wheelchair tennis.

Quad wheelchair player Guy Sasson and his Dutch doubles partner Niels Vink arrived in New York having already won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon this year. One more title and they would have made history — the first calendar Grand Slam ever achieved in quad wheelchair tennis doubles. They reached the final. And lost against quad doubles #2.

In singles, Guy fell in the semifinals — to his partner and rival Niels.

So close. So bittersweet.

For Sergei Lysov it was his second US Open, gaining vital experience competing at the very top of the game.

Proud of you both. 💙

Thank you, Howard Blas, for the photos.

09/10/2026

Some connections to The Center span decades. Some span generations 💙

For Naomi Sugar, it began as a child swimming in The Center’s pools alongside children with different abilities, and watching her cousin Kobi play wheelchair tennis on the courts. (The team he coached went on to win a Silver medal at the Beijing Paralympic Games! 🥈)

This summer, Naomi and her husband Eric returned with their children, who experienced that same sense of possibility firsthand, including playing wheelchair basketball with Asael Shabo, an elite athlete who survived a terrorist attack and lost his leg.

Today, Naomi’s connection to The Center spans three generations.
“I want my children to understand why this place has always been so special to our family and to Israel, and I want my support of The Center to live on with them into the next generation.”

We’re grateful Naomi and Eric are continuing that legacy as co-chairs of Teaming with Laughter in Chicago on October 6. "Especially after everything Israel has experienced since October 7, The Center’s work to bring people together through sport, rehabilitation, friendship and community matters more than ever."

09/10/2026

Two athletes. Three silver medals. 🥈🥈🥈

Roy Abergil took silver in both quad singles and doubles, and Adam Berdichevsky silver in open singles — all at the Future WC50 in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Roy's coach is Asi Stokol. Adam's coach is Ofer Sela.

We couldn't be more proud!

Follow Team Israel

09/07/2026

A day to remember. 🧡

Our first-ever Shesek Wellness Day was everything we hoped it would be- from movement and yoga to ice baths, meaningful conversations, and plenty of smiles — the day was about more than wellness. It was about creating a space where people can connect, recharge, and feel supported.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who made this day possible — our participants, partners, instructors, donors, volunteers, and everyone who showed up and helped bring the vision to life. 🧡

And this is just the beginning.

We’re now getting ready to officially launch the Shesek program, and we couldn’t be more excited for the journey ahead.

✨ Want to learn more, get involved, or find out about the program?

📩 Contact us: [email protected]

Here’s to the beginning of something very special. 🧡

09/03/2026

Our LA community rocked it last week when Center athletes Asael Shabo and Natan Boujnah stopped by for a visit.

Highlights included a special exhibition with Stephen Wise Temple for Wise School faculty during their faculty week, and time with Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles leadership to share The Center's story. National Board Member Amy Hochman and Western Region Director Marsha Katz Rothpan joined them for a night at a live filming of America's Got Talent, with VIP treatment arranged by tour manager Rich Thurber and Howie Mandel's team — getting to meet Howie before he joins us November 1st for Teaming with Laughter was definitely a special moment!

Each stop was a chance to deepen relationships and share the Center's impact: a memorable lunch with Amy and supporters at Hillcrest Country Club, an evening at the Nelsons' home with Leslie, Greg, and new Center friends, and a dinner hosted by Rick Bender, where Asael and Natan shared how The Center changed their lives with more than 30 guests — among them longtime supporters and new friends alike. Rick is now leading a campaign to support one of our newest programs.

08/31/2026

Adaptive sports have come a long way since the precursor to the Paralympics following World War II. But is it everything we hoped for?

Read Boaz Kramer's latest blog post on Times of Israel: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/be-careful-what-you-wish-for-paralympic-sport-at-a-crossroads

08/30/2026

Summer camp at our gan — where every kid gets to just be a kid. 🍦

Wishing all our families a wonderful new school year. 💙