Olim & Vatikim at the World Cup football final in Beit Shemesh

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Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. (Bill Shankly, in UK Sunday Times)

 Approximately 400 people crowded into the Beit Shemesh out door amphitheatre on Sunday 11/7 at 9.30pm for the exciting final of the World Cup. Jonny Klompas, chairman of the Telfed Beit Shemesh Regional Committee, in conjunction with Meir Balaish, the deputy mayor of Beit Shemesh put together a wonderful function, open to the general public, with the game viewed on an enormous screen. 60 Southern African Olim of all ages from Beit Shemesh and Modi’in gathered around the Telfed banner, armed with South African flags and vuvuzelas. The Israeli crowd were mainly rooting for Spain, while many of the South African Olim looked far back into their past and proudly wore orange, supporting the modern day representatives of Jan van Riebeck.
 
Not only was soccer provided, but free popcorn and cold drinks were eagerly snapped up by the fans as they impatiently waited for the clinching goal. Everyone also enthusiastically took part in raffle for a lap top and TV, sponsored by Beit Shemesh Mayor Moshe Abutbol.
 
“Telfed is a community organisation, which sees as an ideal the integration of Southern African Olim into Israeli society. When 60 Southern African Olim join 350 Beit Shemesh residents to celebrate the World Cup, we have taken one more step towards this ideal,” said Maish Isaacson, Chairman of Telfed.

הפדרציה הציונית דרום אפריקה - ישראל