Hi, my name is Eli, and I’m raising funds to take part in an extraordinary opportunity with Israel Lacrosse—an experience that combines my love for lacrosse, my Jewish identity, and my desire to give back.

I have been invited to represent Israel Lacrosse at the 2026 Heritage Cup Lacrosse Tournament in New Jersey, a global event featuring 120 teams from more than 40 countries. Wearing the blue and white and representing Israel on an international stage is something I never imagined possible, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity.

In addition, I will be participating in the Israel Lacrosse Service Winter Trip (December 2026). This will be my first time ever traveling to Israel. During this high-performance program, I will train with professional coaches, compete against Israel’s National Teams, gain exposure to sports management, and—most importantly—help teach and grow the game of lacrosse with Israeli youth and local communities. This trip also serves as a primary pathway for future National Team selection.

Lacrosse has always been more than just a sport to me. Lacrosse has taught me discipline, leadership, and the importance of passing the game on to others. Now, I try to do the same by mentoring and helping others learn. Being part of Team Israel is especially meaningful because there are only a handful of Jewish American lacrosse players. I am part of a community that shares my heritage.

Through this journey, I hope to bring my Israel experience back to the Houston Jewish community by sharing personal stories, reflections, and lessons from the people I meet and places I visit. I also want to inspire my lacrosse teammates and peers to consider future Israel service and sports trips, showing how athletics can be a powerful bridge for connection, relationship-building, and cultural understanding.

Ultimately, this experience is about strengthening my own connection to Israel and helping others feel more connected as well. Thank you so much for supporting me on this journey—your generosity truly means the world to me.