Dear Family, Friends, Team-mates, Good People:

As I am preparing for my Bar-Mitzvah journey, the traditional and ceremonial Jewish ascent into adulthood, I have been aiming to fulfill a mitzvah – Hebrew word for blessing or charity.    In preparing for this important event, every Jewish boy and girl at the age of 13 (or 12 if you are a mature girl) dedicates him/herself to a ‘tikkun olam’ – a contribution to fixing the world, making it a better place. For this goal, I have committed myself to a project called Soccer for Peace.  I chose this project because it reflects two interests I care greatly about:  Soccer (which I love and have played since 4 years old) and Peace (especially in Israel, where I have lived). 

Soccer for Peace is a non-profit organization that offers children of war or in conflict regions in the Middle East, the opportunity to unite in an activity they all love equally.  This organization has no affiliation; political, religious or otherwise, and only aims to bind young Jewish and Arab children (between the ages of 11-13) together in their common humanity and love for soccer.  

As part of the first part of this campaign, my plan is to ask people (YOU) to sponsor myself and my teammates by donating $1.00 or more for each goal that my Stony Brook Santos (U-13 Three Village Soccer Travel) team makes during the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend soccer tournament in Massachusetts and last 2 games of our season (total of 5-6 games).  I hope that my friends and teammates will also spread the word to their friends and loved ones so that they can be aware of the Soccer For Peace mission, and help to support this worthy cause. You can check out their cool videos! “I feel that Soccer for Peace is so important because this organization can bring children together from different religions on the same team and learn to cooperate.  In this way, children from hostile countries can learn to be friendly and have fun together.  If they learn to spend time and compete together for a goal, they can start to feel good together.  Even if they lose, they will share the same emotions, so that they can learn that they are more similar than different.  A game like this can unite children, and maybe teach their families and their own children some day that we can all win by playing together – on the same team.” At this time, I ask that you please support us by giving and spreading the word to YOUR family and friends to sponsor our fundraiser for Soccer for Peace by pledging a minimum of $1.00/goal for the Tournament games plus last 2 games of this season (5-6 games total).  My family will also match an amount to honor all of those who seek to contribute to this cause.  

Thank you so much for your consideration. Peace (Shalom), Erez