B’nai B’rith today launched an initiative to honor the memory of 12 Druze children murdered by Hezbollah on July 27 when the terrorists fired a rocket from Lebanon, striking a football field in the Golan village of Majdal Shams while the children were practicing, leaving a community in grief.

In partnership with the Majdal Shams municipality and the Israel Football Association, B’nai B’rith will provide football coaching scholarships to three young coaches—relatives of the slain children—from the Golan Druze villages of Mas’ada and Majdal Shams. These scholarships will enable them to receive advanced coaching training and certification, fostering resilience and recovery within the community. The training course is accredited by the Israel Football Association to coach youth football.

Majdal Shams Local Council Head Dolan Abu Salah reflected on the program’s significance: “The grave disaster that occurred in Majdal Shams on July 27, in which 12 children were killed and many more injured by a missile strike from the terrorist organization Hezbollah, shocked the community and created an urgent need for rehabilitation activities that will restore hope. As a result, a unique project was established that aims to make football a significant social community focus again. The project includes training local coaches who will connect children and youth to a sport that symbolizes joy, hope and community strength. These football coaches, who will return to the fields after completing their training, will become leading factors in the community rehabilitation process. They will give children and youth a sense of stability and security, restore the positive spirit to the community and form the basis for a future full of hope. This is a significant step in restoring the spirit and resilience of our children. We thank the Israel Football Association, B’nai B’rith International and all project partners for supporting our community during this difficult time. This important project highlights the power of inter-community cooperation for rehabilitation and empowerment and brings a ray of hope for a better future.”

B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem Director Alan Schneider is overseeing the program, and he emphasized its impact: “Upon completing their training, the coaches will return to their villages to train local children, fostering resilience and healing in the wake of unimaginable loss and a year marked by conflict. It is our distinct honor to partner with the Association and the Municipality in realizing this flagship program.”

Niv Goldstein, CEO of the Israel Football Association, added: “The terrible tragedy that took the lives of 12 youngsters, who were simply enjoying the sport they loved most, demands mobilization for rehabilitation and growth. The association has engaged in this issue in several unique ways, and this program is among the most moving. We will cultivate local coaches to ensure not only the continuation of football in Majdal Shams and the surrounding area but also to inspire children to follow in the footsteps of those who are no longer with us.”

The program will culminate in a graduation ceremony and sports exhibition following the two-month course, which began on Dec. 11. Funding for the scholarships is provided by the B’nai B’rith International Israel Emergency Fund. Additional donations can be made here.

For further details, please contact Alan Schneider, director of the B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem, at aschneider@bnaibrith.org or call +972-52-5536441.