The Israel Bridge December 2025 Newsletter

Author

Vic Greenstein
December 13, 2025

Welcome to the Bridge & Beyond Newsletter by The Israel Bridge, where Israeli student-athletes stand strong against antisemitism on campus.

Dear friends,

As we head into the holiday season, we are reminded of miracles, of hope, and of how light is passed from one person to another. We are deeply grateful for your continued support of The Israel Bridge. Thanks to your generosity, we can continue supporting Israeli student athletes across the U.S. with urgent needs, scholarships, community connections, and the stability to succeed on campus and beyond.

How You Can Help

A year-end gift makes a real difference.

  • $5,000 helps secure an athletic scholarship for an Israeli student-athlete.

  • $2,000 funds a mini-grant for essentials, medical needs, or emergency support.

Donate online: https://theisraelbridge.org/donate-now/ or mail a check to:

The Israel Bridge (Attn: Vic Greenstein)

209 Coconut Key Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418

Thank you for helping us keep the light moving forward.

The Israel Bridge Team

Meet Ester Pushkarov

  • Ester Pushkarov, a 6'4" volleyball middle hitter at Barry University, FL

  • Twice named to the Sunshine State Conference Honor Roll, including a perfect 4.0 GPA in 2024

  • Represented Israel on national youth teams in European Championship qualifiers

  • After October 7th, she became the founder and president of Barry’s Jewish student organization, leading campus advocacy

Ester’s athletic, academic, and leadership excellence make her a true ambassador for Israel. Watch a glimpse of how The Israel Bridge has supported her journey.

Home Away from Home - Meals, Cheers, and Meaningful Moments

Our volunteer families across the U.S. open their homes to our Israeli student-athletes for holidays, Shabbat, & dinners. Israel Bridge Volunteer Fans also cheer from the stands, giving each athlete a genuine sense of community, belonging, and support.

St. Paul, MN: Amy and Stan Baratz hosted Daniel Eichel (swimmer at the University of Minnesota) and Ofir Rakah (swimmer at the University of Texas A&M).

San Diego, CA: Matt Rinkey, our board member, and his family came out to cheer Mika Rome at her University of San Diego volleyball games.

Palm Beach Gardens, FL: Don Brockhaus, our board member, and his wife, Lori, hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for friends and three athletes, Noam Stein (former soccer player at Palm Beach University), Tomer Erel (baseball player at Palm Beach State College), and Artur Berezkin (swimmer at Keiser University).

Looking Ahead To Hanukkah, The Festival Of Lights

Hanukkah is just around the corner, a holiday that reminds us that even a small light can shine very bright in a world that sometimes feels dark. Our Israeli student athletes are exactly that kind of light on their campuses. This Hanukkah, we would be honored if you would consider opening your home and your heart to them.

You can see where our athletes are studying and find who might be near you by using our online student locator map here.

If you are interested in hosting, please email us at [email protected], and we will do our best to connect you with an athlete in your area.

Other ways to make an impact:

  • Host a student for Shabbat or holidays

  • Attend their games (see the map on our homepage)

  • Offer internships, job opportunities, or mentorship

To get involved, contact Keren Rosenberg, Executive Director, at [email protected].

Be Part of The Movement

Follow us on social media and help spread the word. Each like, comment, and share makes a difference in our fight against antisemitism on college campuses.