Murderball

After Ulpan today, we had the opportunity to volunteer. We were given five different volunteer options: something to do with impoverished kids, something to do with sick kids, working at the pound, playing with disabled athletes, or fill Purim care packages to soldiers. My initial reaction was for sure to go to the pound and play with the puppies. Then, as the minutes passed, I thought about the dog park by our apartment, the mangy dogs roaming the city, and all the rain we have had the past week. I also thought about how diiiiiissssguuuusting the Tri-County Humane Society is... and that's Boca! Second, we were told that the care-packaging would happen at 7pm - and they were providing pizza...so we could go to that and another location. (obviously we would stop by for some free pizza, but it was too crowded so Nina, Sarah, and I packaged 2 each and then went for noodles...)

Sarah, Nina, Molly, and I chose to go to the Israeli Sport Center for the Disabled. It's an amazing facility (if you want to read all about it, visit their website here). We were drawn in with the promise of meeting disabled athletes, and then we would be able to play basketball with them. Upon arrival, we were given a brief overview of the facility. Shortly thereafter, we suited up. We got to test out wheelchairs and roll around the track and basketball court.

Nina, Molly, and Sarah sporting their new wheels.

After we got as acclimated as we could get in 5 minutes, we split up and played 3-on-3 (on our half of the court). I was getting the hang of it... two pushes before you have to dribble or it's considered traveling. I even scored a basket! (Which is one more basket than I have scored in the past 12 years.) The only thing I was having problems with was braking. I may or may not have rolled into the surrounding wheelchairs. (Ok, I totes did, and I wasn't the only one!)

MVP

 Unfortunately, the athletes were running late, so we ended up playing a massive 7-on-7 basketball game. It was a very dangerous game (not the most dangerous game) but it was up there - because the other side of the court didn't play with out-of bounds... so the opposing hooligans kept racing out of bounds and ramming into the wall/wheelchairs.

Great Game, Team!!

The final score was 2-2...with Nina hitting the tying basket at the buzzer. Afterwards, we took a tour of the facilities. They are impressive. There are two swimming pools, tennis court, gym, table tennis, school for the young kids. The man described it as a country club more than once. Mom, they had crank bikes, and I wanted to hop on and go...

It would be really cool to go back and volunteer there. (Maybe even some of the Tel Avivers might do that) All I know is my arms will be sore tomorrow!