JOSH BERNSTEIN LACROSSE INTERNSHIP

Hello! My name is Joshua Bernstein I am a Jewish American athlete residing in Boca Raton, Florida. Born and raised in California, my family moved to South Florida to be with my grandparents in their last years, seven years ago. From the west coast to the east coast, was a big change, I was introduced to a new school, new friends and a new sport, lacrosse. At the time, little did I know I was just enrolled at a school predominately known for its powerhouse lacrosse program in the state that set the bar for the growth of the game in Florida and future competing programs. I went on to be coached by some of the best coaches in the country who all mentored and worked with me, and who I owe great thanks to, including Neil Macadorey, RJ Dawson, Steve Bettinger, Zander Maslow and Casey Powell. 
I soon fell in love with more than just the sport of lacrosse, I developed a pure respect and appreciation to all the benefits and challenges lacrosse provided,  hard work, dedication, sportsmanship, team work and most important the bonds among my friends and teammates that will last a lifetime. I applied this same respect and determination to other great sports and programs and became an all-around athlete, while balancing my school work, including playing varsity football, soccer, tennis and swimming.Recently I was offered an amazing opportunity and was invited to participate in a gap year program in Israel for a ten month Israel Lacrosse Internship and then try out for the Israeli Men’s National Lacrosse team in hopes of playing in the World Games in 2016, hosted in Budapest, Hungary. As the saying goes "as one door closes another one opens", the timing is perfect. I am at a crossroads, while all my friends are going straight away into college, I see this worldly opportunity for me to grow and mature as young man, connect with my Jewish identity and to help grow the fastest growing sport in the world in a country I love.  This is an opportunity of a lifetime and another way to play lacrosse with purpose and share the love of the sport to kids in Israel!

In 2010, I lost my grandmother who was very special and dear to me. Two weeks later my brother, Jake and I took our grandfather to Israel. This was an amazing experience for us in Israel and the last trip we will ever share together and a time I will hold dear in my heart forever. I fell in love with the country, the culture and her people. My grandfather passed away the following year and I know he would be so proud to see me embark on this journey and return to Israel as a proud Jewish athlete with so much to give, share and learn.  It was my Bubby and Zaida that encouraged my schooling and sports and were also proud supporters of the Maccabi games for many years. I worked hard and went on to captain the Maccabi Team Florida and enjoyed the traveling, meeting other Jewish athletes from all over the world and proudly led our team to two silver medals and a shared bronze thanks to my coach and mentor, Neil Macadorey.


I am looking forward to being an ambassador of the game of Lacrosse and share my passion and the brotherhood and comradery the sport brings to kids of all ages on this global mission sponsored by Masa Israel Journey to help spread the LAX word worldwide, to grow the game and ultimately hopefully to unite nations.  Israel Lacrosse has taken on a grassroots campaign to introduce the children of Israel to the love of the game while providing coaching, mentorship and equipment drives to the less fortunate. Through this campaign and hopeful generous donations, I am greatly looking forward to moving to Israel for a year on this amazing residency internship and learning more of my Jewish heritage and history, building friendships and lifelong relationships all while experiencing and appreciating Israeli culture, and most importantly…giving back to those less fortunate. I hope to take my team building and leadership skills and grow them to nation building skills and this opportunity is the first step. Thank you for your love, support and encouragement to make this dream a reality for me!

My website detailing the opportunity and experience can be found @ http://tourcandy.wix.com/joshisraelinternship