The Israel Bridge

10/07/2026

On this very sad day, our thoughts are with all of the Israelis and their families who are facing unimaginable pain and loss.

We are holding you in our hearts and standing together in solidarity, remembrance, and hope.

With love and care,

The Israel Bridge

10/06/2026

Joe Nabedrick is Vice President of Mortgage Lending at Guaranteed Rate Affinity, where he helps physicians, medical professionals, and other high-income clients navigate major financial decisions. He began his career as a social worker at Jewish Family and Children’s Service, establishing a commitment to helping others and staying connected to the Jewish community that continues to guide his work.

Throughout his career, Joe has built lasting relationships and brought people together—professionally, personally, and simply by recognizing when two people could benefit from knowing each other. He brings a relationship-focused approach shaped by his experience in social work and many years in mortgage banking.

Joe is drawn to The Israel Bridge’s mission and the opportunity to help Israeli student-athletes build meaningful connections in the United States. He hopes to contribute his experience, relationships, and network to support these athletes and strengthen ties between the Israeli and American communities.

09/29/2026

Roy Kessel is the Founder of the Jewish Sports Network and the Sports Philanthropy Network. Having been born in Jerusalem to South African parents, two of Roy’s passions throughout life have been Judaism and sports. Having gone through the Jewish world of Hebrew School, USY, Camp Ramah, Hillel, JUF and National Young Leadership Cabinet, Roy has focused his efforts on using the power of sports to change lives and transform communities.
 
Roy grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and moved to Chicago for law school at Northwestern. Throughout his career, he has been involved in many aspects of sports including serving as an NFL Agent and teaching in Northwestern’s Graduate Sports Management Program. 
 
Roy’s sister Sharon, who is Developmentally Disabled, has been a major influence on his life and still resides in Madison, Wisconsin with his parents.  Roy lives in Vernon Hills, Illinois. His children, Julia and Brett, are both teachers in the Chicago suburbs and his fiancé Kayla works for the City of Milwaukee.

09/24/2026

09/18/2026

Happy 80th Birthday Vic Greenstein 🥳🎉

09/18/2026

This Rosh Hashanah, we’re especially grateful for the incredible families who opened their homes, tables, and hearts to Israeli student-athletes celebrating far from home. 💙

A huge thank you to our generous hosts, and to our board members who helped make these meaningful connections possible.

This is what The Israel Bridge is all about: creating community, belonging, and a little piece of home wherever our athletes may be.

Interested in hosting an Israeli student-athlete in the future? Send us a private message. 🇮🇱💙

Thank you to everyone including:

Robin and Mike Cantor who hosted Tal Levy, (soccer) in Long Island.

Debbie and Allen Sheldon hosted Guy Toib (swimmer) and Iftach Harari (soccer) in Boston

Jason Belzer and family hosted Yuval Segal (swimmer) Yahav Halag (swimmer) and Hilla Azran (track and field), in Atlanta. 

Andy and Shelly Sigal hosted Hilani Mor (track and field) from Rhode Island 

Danielle Pearl hosted Shoval Dor from Chicago

09/14/2026

Making history in Belgium! 🇮🇱🏃‍♂️

Huge congratulations to Israeli student-athlete Matan Ivri, who took 3rd in the 1500m at the Moore Guldensporenmeeting with a blazing 3:34.51.

The performance now stands as the 2nd-fastest 1500m time in program history.

Another incredible milestone for Matan. 👏🇮🇱

09/10/2026

What a season for Romi. 🇮🇱🥇

After navigating a new chapter in the U.S., injuries, challenges, and plenty of adaptation, she finished 2026 as the Israeli Champion in both the long jump and triple jump. A huge congratulations to Romi on an incredible season and an even stronger finish. ❤️

09/10/2026

As we welcome the Jewish New Year, nearly 100 Israeli student-athletes are beginning a new chapter on college campuses across the United States.
Many have arrived far from home for the first time, often with little more than one suitcase and a dream.

The Israel Bridge is here to make sure they don’t begin that journey alone.

We are connecting our newest student-athletes with local Jewish communities and helping them purchase basic dorm and everyday essentials as they settle into their new homes.

And our support doesn’t end there.

Throughout their college years, The Israel Bridge provides a community that helps Israeli student-athletes find connection, build relationships, and become confident leaders and ambassadors for Israel.

As we begin a new year, we are deeply grateful to the donors, volunteers, host families, and friends who make these lifelong bridges possible.

08/31/2026

A host family can mean so much more than a place to stay. For Israeli student-athletes far from home, it can become a second home, a support system, and a connection that makes all the difference.

That’s what The Israel Bridge is all about. 🇮🇱🤝🇺🇸