May 7, 2009 / 13 Iyar 5769

Renowned basketball star, Tal Brody, along with the Spirit of Israel, launched a fitness center at the Jewish Agency's Ramat Hadassah Youth Village thanks to a 250,000 NIS donation. Brody is widely considered a star of European and Israeli basketball. He spent most of his career with the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club and is recognized as a national hero.

Located near Haifa, outside Kiryat Tivon, Ramat Hadassah Szold Youth Village currently has more than 220 students, ages 12-18, hailing from Israel, FSU and Ethiopia. The village provides a specialized academic framework that together with a varied extracurricular program strives to build self-confidence and enhance self-esteem among participating youth.

The fitness center not only offers students an outlet for recreation, but will also be incorporated into a larger physical fitness plan for all village residents.

To learn more about the Jewish Agency's efforts to promote Israel's next generation, click here.