For the first time in Florida, wounded IDF soldiers will play an historic wheelchair basketball game against the Miami Shark

For the first time in Florida, wounded Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers will take to the basketball court in a historic wheelchair basketball game against the Miami Sharks, a local team of dedicated wheelchair athletes. This powerful event will unite heroes from two nations—Israel and the United States—coming together through resilience, sportsmanship, and the unbreakable spirit of those who have sacrificed for their countries.

The Beit Halochem team will feature 16 players, including newly wounded warriors from the recent Iron Swords War as well as veteran athletes who have trained at Beit Halochem’s rehabilitation centers in Israel. These athletes, who have overcome life-changing injuries, continue to pursue excellence in sports. They will now face off against the highly skilled Miami Sharks, a team with years of experience. The game will stand as a tribute to the strength, resilience, and unity of those who refuse to be defined by their wounds.

Leading this historic delegation is Edan Kleiman, a wounded veteran himself and Chairman of Beit Halochem. Kleiman has dedicated his life to supporting Israel’s 73,000 injured soldiers, including the 13,000 wounded in the current war. For these athletes, this game is much more than a competition; it symbolizes their courage and determination to rebuild their lives after making the ultimate sacrifice for Israel.

For these soldiers, basketball represents more than just a sport—it is a path to healing, independence, and renewed purpose. With world-class coaching and the support of Beit Halochem’s rehabilitation programs, these athletes use adaptive sports to regain their strength and independence. Their participation in this game will send a powerful message to the world: despite their injuries, they continue to fight—not only for Israel but for themselves, for each other, and for a future without limits.

Beit Halochem is at the forefront of supporting Israel’s wounded soldiers, offering comprehensive rehabilitation programs, adaptive sports opportunities, career training, and emotional support to help them regain their independence and dignity. With the rise in wounded soldiers from the current war, Beit Halochem’s mission is more critical than ever. This event provides an opportunity to witness firsthand the courage and resilience of those who have given so much for Israel.

The exclusive event will take place on April 6th, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at Barry University’s Health & Sports Center, located at 11300 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Miami, Florida 33161. This will be an unforgettable moment of strength and unity, as we cheer on these remarkable soldiers who continue to inspire us all.

This is an event you won’t want to miss. Join us in honoring the heroes who have given so much for Israel. Stand with them, cheer for them, and show them they are not alone.

For more information, please contact Tzvia Wexler, National Development Director, Beit Halochem, at (215) 783-4718.

Beit Halochem USA is committed to the rehabilitation and reintegration of Israel’s wounded soldiers. In close collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Beit Halochem provides comprehensive rehabilitation services, adaptive sports programs, career training, and educational opportunities to help these warriors rebuild their lives. Together, we honor, support, and empower those who have sacrificed so much for Israel.