The Olympic Committee of Israel partnered with the nonprofit Ze BeNafshi (“It’s in My Soul” in Hebrew) to host a special Olympic Day last Friday for teenagers from psychiatric wards across the country and their families. The event, held at the Olympic House in Tel Aviv, was designed to raise awareness of mental health challenges, break down stigma, and provide a meaningful and empowering experience.
The day opened with a keynote talk by former world-class windsurfer Nimrod Mashiah, a 2009 World Championship silver medalist. In his lecture, “Surfer Against the Wind,” Mashiah described the mental and physical processes that shaped his approach to life and competition, sharing the tools he developed over two decades of elite sport.
Following his talk, participants took part in hands-on family sporting activities led by Olympic and Paralympic athletes. These included judo with Olympic medalist Raz Hershko, fencing with Olympic athlete Yuval Freilich, and wheelchair basketball with Paralympic rowing champion and former basketball player Moran Samuel.
Offering dignity and hope
Yael Arad, Chair of the Olympic Committee of Israel, emphasized the depth of the initiative.
“About two years ago, my personal meeting with Irit Gluskinos, the founder of Ze BeNafshi, opened a window into a shadow world that Israeli society barely knows. It made us partners in a journey to empower teenagers who deeply need recognition and support in their recovery.”
She added that the project reflects the Committee’s broader values.
“The Olympic Committee of Israel is committed to excellence, social responsibility, and education through sport. I’m proud of this meaningful work, led by our education department and embraced by our athletes.”
Over the past two years, the collaboration has given youth opportunities to meet some of Israel’s top athletes, including Neta Rivkin, Yakov Toumarkin, Nofar Edelman, Nitai Hasson, Yuval Filo, and Inbar Ronen. These conversations touched on triumphs, defeats, disappointments, and mental challenges – offering young people perspective and inspiration to persevere toward their own goals.
For Irit Gluskinos-Barkan, CEO and founder of Ze BeNafshi, the project is about offering dignity and hope.
“Children and teens facing mental health challenges – and their families – deserve lives full of hope, free from stigma and shame. This is their basic right, to live in a healthy society that embraces them with love. The partnership with the Olympic Committee gives our kids the extraordinary opportunity to meet outstanding Olympic athletes and to realize that dreams really can come true.”
For more information, please visit www.zebenafshi.com