Fair Lawn's Rich Cheifitz and the Israel National Lacrosse Team Take on the New York Lizards

The Israel Men’s National Lacrosse Team, which features several players from New Jersey including Fair Lawn’s own Rich Cheifitz, will travel to Hewlett, NY on Sunday, March 29, to compete in a showcase game against New York’s Major League Lacrosse team, the New York Lizards. This event is one of the many ways the Israel Lacrosse program raises awareness of the team’s ongoing efforts to grow the game internationally and make a positive impact on the lives of children in communities throughout Israel. Cheifitz was a standout attackman at Kean University.

“Our exhibition game against Ireland last year really helped us succeed in our goal to promote the work we have done to grow the sport internationally” said Scott Neiss, Executive Director of Israel Lacrosse. “This game against the New York Lizards will serve as a challenge, but also as a great opportunity for us to further international advancement of lacrosse. The greater Long Island community has such an incredible passion for the game, and we are very much looking forward to participating in the day’s festivities.”

On the field, Israel Lacrosse has achieved success in a very short time. The Israel Men’s National Lacrosse Team was ranked seventh in the world after competing in the 2014 Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championships this past summer, which was the first time Israel had a team competing in the tournament.

Off the field, the team’s focus is its work providing invaluable services to the youth of various communities throughout Israel. The Men’s National Team has established multiple lacrosse clinics and events for youth in Israel and other countries to help grow the game and to build strong bonds among neighbors.

Sunday’s game against the New York Lizards will start at 10:00a.m. at George W. Hewlett High School in Hewlett, NY, admission is free of charge. The Women’s National Team will also compete during the day-long event in Hewlett. They will challenge the New York Athletic Club team at 2:30p.m.

Additional games taking place Sunday include the Girls and Boys U-14 Israel teams. The Boy’s U-14 team will play at 8:00 a.m. and the Girl’s U-14 team will play at 4:00 p.m. against Long Island-based club teams. The Israel U-19 Men’s team will compete in an intra-squad game at 12:00p.m. Israel U-19 Women’s team will compete against Team Elevate, an elite Long Island-based club team, at 1:15 p.m.

Also planned for the weekend are games scheduled for Saturday, March 28 in the evening at the Asphalt Green located at 555 East 90th Street in New York City. The Israel Men’s National team will compete against the New York Athletic Club men’s team at 7:00p.m. and Team Israel Masters will compete against Team 135 at 9:00p.m. A “Meet the Team” event Saturday evening has been planned for 6:30 p.m. as well as a post-game cocktail hour starting at 10:00p.m. These festivities will be held at 200 East Ave., Apt 9E.

In support of the organization’s efforts to promote lacrosse in Israel, attendees are asked to donate any lightly used equipment they may have for use back in Israel with youth lacrosse players who would otherwise not be able to participate in the sport.

For more information on the event and how to become involved in Team Israel Lacrosse, please contact Emily Brodsky at +972.58.707.0320 or by email at [email protected]. You can also visit www.lacrosse.co.il.