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Running for Hope: Team Shalva Carries Israel’s Spirit to the 2025 New York Marathon EL AL NEWS

for the Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, provides transformative care for thousands of individuals with disabilities and promotes inclusion across Israeli society. For the fourth consecutive year, the team proudly represented Israel on the global stage. Following last year’s record delegation of 260 runners, this year’s team brought together people with disabilities, IDF wounded soldiers, bereaved families, October 7 survivors, reservists and their spouses, and evacuated residents from Israel’s northern and southern communities. Among them were Barak Elitzur, who returned to running after being severely wounded in Sajaiya; Yaakov and Tal Bergstein, running in memory of their brother Shahaf who fell in the October 7 War; Itamar Wiesel, honoring his twin brother Elkana;

Photos: Avishay Bdolach

Reut Karp of Kibbutz Re’im, running in memory of her husband Dvir; and Yehuda Naimburg, running in memory of his nephews Hillel and Yagel Yaniv. Since 2022, Team Shalva has sent hundreds of runners to New York, each step a testament to unity, resilience, and the enduring power of the human spirit. EL AL is proud to have been one of the sponsors of the Shalva running team for the New York Marathon and to have supported this important project. Itamar Wiesel, honoring his twin brother Elkana who fell in the October 7 War

Last month 155 runners took on the New York Marathon, the world’s most prestigious race, running for Shalva’s children, for hope, unity, and the unbreakable Israeli spirit. Team Shalva, the official running team of Shalva – The Israel Association Yaakov and Tal Bergstein, running in memory of their brother Shahaf who fell in the October 7 War

The Israeli delegation is preparing for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics – a historic event marking 100 years since the first Games in Paris. Thousands of athletes from more than 70 nations will gather for a world-class competition that celebrates culture, accessibility, and equality. The Israel Deaf Sports Organization, which has promoted deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes for decades, leads the preparations and provides professional and social support to the team. It embodies both sporting excellence and a national vision – positioning sport as a driver of inclusion and inspiration. Through a strategic partnership with EL AL, the delegation will enjoy a direct, safe, and comfortable journey to Tokyo. With this collaboration, the mission becomes a unifying national effort – proudly representing Israel on the world stage while advancing visibility for deaf athletes everywhere. Sporting excellence and a national vision: promoting deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes

Israel’s deaf basketball team I Photo: Roei Asa, The Israel Deaf Sports Organization

38 ATMOSPHERE DECEMBER 2025