On October 7, Yoav and his family were visiting Moshav Yakhini when terrorists infiltrated their farm. The family spent hours locked in their safe room, while Yoav’s cousin, Yonatan, was tragically shot and later died from his wounds. After enduring a harrowing ten hours of waiting for rescue, the family was left with profound grief and loss.
Now, fourteen months later, Yoav, a passionate Beitar Jerusalem fan from Afula, had the chance to meet his idols, thanks to The Jewish Agency’s "Youth Futures" program. The initiative supports children and families in Israel’s social and geographic periphery, providing long-term guidance aimed at strengthening resilience, enhancing education, and supporting social mobility.
Despite the trauma they’ve experienced, Yoav and his family have chosen to remain hopeful about the future. Through the Youth Futures program, Yoav's dream of meeting Beitar Jerusalem players came true. His meeting with the players was made even more special by the presence of Gali, a program mentor who has been there to support Yoav through his journey.
For Yoav, the experience was more than just a dream come true—it was a reminder that he and his family are not alone. The support they received from Youth Futures and the Beitar Jerusalem players reaffirmed that there are people who care and are there to lift them up, even in the darkest times.
Beitar Jerusalem’s involvement in supporting its fans since the October 7th massacre has been significant. The club has held memorials for fallen supporters, honored local heroes, and continued its community efforts to support families in need.
Yoav expressed his joy: "I had a lot of fun! It was a dream come true that all the players took pictures with me, hugged me, and signed my shirt. I thank Youth Futures and Beitar Jerusalem for a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Beitar Jerusalem also shared their gratitude: "Yoav came to us, and we were more than happy to host him. The challenges he’s faced, along with his heroism and pain, are unimaginable for a child of his age. It was our privilege to spend time with him and bring him some moments of happiness."
Ruthie Sheinfeld, CEO of Youth Futures, reflected on the powerful impact of these experiences: "At Youth Futures, we believe in the power of experiences to create real change. Seeing Yoav’s eyes sparkle with excitement when he met his heroes—that's exactly what we strive to achieve. These meetings provide children not only with unforgettable experiences but also with a sense of security and belief that anything is possible."
