Kicking the ball to help Gush families
Photos and Story By Sarah Morrison
The Jewish State
Many Americans have seen the plight of the Israelis in Gush Katif on television and in newspapers.
Many Americans have heard chilling reports of sons, following military orders, forcing their family, friends, and neighbors out of the place they once called home. Everyone has heard that the situation in Gush Katif is not a pleasant one as the politics, as well as the emotional wounds, deepen. But what can Americans do to help those suffering 6,000 miles away? What can they do to help total strangers in a state of total disarray?
Spencer Rockman wanted to provide Central Jersey with a way to help.
"I came up with the idea about a year and a half ago," Rockman said. "The Highland Park/Edison community wanted to do
something to help the displaced families in Gush Katif. To get started, we contacted the local Jewish Federation.
They told us that a youth center was needed in Nitzan, where 490 of the 1,677 displaced families were sent. We found
out that the youth center would cost $100,000. However, for every dollar we raise, the Federation agreed to match that
dollar. We're virtually at our goal." 
Rockman found the perfect way to raise the money within his own profession. He has run Rovers International Soccer
since 1971, which offers yearlong soccer clinics and summer soccer camps. He was inspired to put his ideas into action
last month when the film "Home Team" was screened at Congregation Ahavas Achim in Highland Park. The film, about a
basketball tournament featuring displaced children from Gush Katif, showed clips of these children fighting for the
ball and chasing after each other, then played a clip of the residents of Gush Katif fighting for their homes,
desperately trying to chase away the soldiers that came in droves to control the crowds.
The clips went back and forth, back and forth, the dramatic clips of the disengagement playing up the emotion in the
basketball tournament. At that time, Rockman decided to put his plan into action. He came up with "Kicks for Katif,"
where individuals, teams, or entire families would play soccer for however long they wanted. They could join an
intense game, casually kick the ball back and forth, or practice shooting on a goal. Participants could do almost
whatever they wanted, as long as they were kicking the soccer ball for Katif.
"Creating 'Kicks for Katif' was just a matter of combining the physical and the spiritual," Rockman said. "The funds
raised from playing soccer are going straight to build the youth center in Nitzan. This is a great opportunity for
players to 'elevate their play;' to have fun with a purpose. It's going to give young people something tangible; it
will make them feel like they're contributing."
"There has been a great buzz in the community about Kicks for Katif," Rockman added. "Israel has heard about it. I
received a moving e-mail from a Gush Katif community leader thanking us for our efforts."
On Sunday, June 17, 80 men, women, and children came out in the 91-degree heat to join Rockman and the Rovers Soccer
staff to "kick for Katif" in Highland Park's Johnson Park. People from all denominations and of all ages got together
to compete in an intense game of soccer. Children played games such as "Doctor, Doctor" and had a real game of their
own. As one player left the field, it took no time at all for another one to come and eagerly join the game. At the
end of the day, $1,750 was raised for the youth center in Nitzan. With the Federation's matching funds, $3,500 was
raised from the event alone - not counting the donations sent by people who did not kick for Katif.
"I'm very happy with this first time effort," Rockman said. "Unfortunately, we may have to have a second annual 'Kicks
for Katif.' However, outside the inital cause, everyone here saw today how the love of the game brought people from
all denominations and ages together, regardless of stripe or color."
One player, Dan, joined "Kicks for Katif" for personal reasons. He has a good friend from Gush Katif, so he wanted to
do his part in helping out his friend and his friends' family and neighbors.
Colin, a third year member of the Rovers Soccer staff, is not Jewish, but wanted to help out. "I believe that the Gush
Katif problem is a human interest cause, and I would like to help," he said.
Susan Hornstein of Highland Park, whose son, Eitan, played in the children's games, is well aware of Rockman's passion
for Israel. "Spencer is very committed to helping Gush Katif," she said. "Many people don't know that this isn't his
first effort. Two summers ago, when the disengagement took place, the soccer camp t-shirts were orange in order to
support Gush Katif."
As the high noon sun shined high in the sky, mimicking the sweltering Israeli heat, Rockman
brought all the "soles" together under the "Kicks for Katif" banner.
"Every other day, sports are prejudiced, always selecting the best. However, today is a physical democracy," Rockman
enthusiastically told the players as he gathered everybody in front of a "Kicks for Katif" sign. "Regardless whether
you are young or old, a beginner or a skilled player, everyone's touch counts the same as we elevate our physical
actions and give them spiritual relevance."