Meet Riva Hondiashvili

On Behalf of The Israel Bridge local board members- Keri Greenwald, Jordan Fladell, Tracey Orenstein, Delilah Cohen.

AuthorAuthor

Tracey, Delilah and Jordan & The Israel Bridge
March 21, 2026

 The Israel Bridge Event

Event Details:

đź“…: April 19, 2026 | 4:00-6:00 pm

đź“Ť: The Dupree: 6120 Powers Ferry Rd. Sandy Springs

*Click the button below for event details—time, date, location, program, and RSVP.

The Israel Bridge provided Riva Hondiashvili with essential financial support that helps her afford tuition and daily living.

We also connected Riva with the local Israeli Consulate, and she will be a guest of honor at the Israeli Memorial Day ceremony for fallen soldiers and victims of terror on April 20. For Riva, who attends a university in a non-Jewish area, this will be her first opportunity in four years to take part in a meaningful memorial ceremony.

A glimpse of her story:

My name is Riva Hondiashvili, I am 24 from Jerusalem, Israel. When I was two, my father was murdered in a terror attack. A terrorist boarded a bus and detonated himself, ten other people were killed and dozens were injured.

My father was 38. He left behind my mother and three children, my twin brother, me, and our baby brother who was one year old. My mother raised us on her own and encouraged me to pursue my father’s dream that his daughter would play tennis. I have been playing tennis since I was five.

As a junior I ranked among the top players in Israel, and I represented Israel at European and World youth championships.

I study at University of Charleston, West Virginia, with a small Jewish community. On our campus it is just me and one other Israeli athlete, and both of us work hard to promote Israel in positive and meaningful ways.

The Israel Bridge provided me essential financial support that helps me afford tuition and daily living. I am deeply grateful for this help and for the organization that supports many athletes like me.

Riva Hondiashvili

Join us to hear Riva’s journey, a story of loss turned into purpose, discipline shaped by sport, and hope carried from Jerusalem to the college courts.

Be Part of This Moment

Come connect with Riva and other inspiring Israeli student-athletes. Hear their stories. Feel their determination.

See how your support for The Israel Bridge helps shape a new generation of leaders who represent Israel with pride and purpose.