Full Breakdown
Inaugural Sharsheret Israel Tennis Tournament Brings Community, Awareness to Ra’anana Courts
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The first Sharsheret Israel Tennis Tournament, held at the Ra’anana Tennis Center, gathers women players for a day of competition, social connection, and fundraising for Sharsheret’s breast- and ovarian-cancer support programs. Former Israeli professional Edan Leshem, now 29, serves as tournament co-organizer alongside longtime coach Ron Becker, while Ariella Eltes acts as co-chair. Spectators of all ages are invited to cheer family members and friends, creating a broad community atmosphere.
Background & Context
Sharsheret, founded in 2001, provides personalized support, education, and genetic-counseling services to Jewish women and families facing hereditary breast or ovarian cancer. The organization launched an Israel initiative in 2024, expanding its peer-to-peer model and educational resources across the country.
Edan Leshem’s personal tennis journey began at age five at the same Ra’anana courts, encouraged by his grandfather. He progressed to national finals as a teenager, joined Israel’s Davis Cup team at 17, and reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 249 in December 2017. After a back injury ended his playing aspirations, Leshem turned to coaching, built a local tennis club, and now channels his experience into community-building events like the Sharsheret tournament.
Tournament Structure and Community Goals
Leshem was approached by co-chair Ariella Eltes to help organize the event. He assumed responsibility for tournament structure, grouping players and managing competition flow, while Becker assists with on-court logistics. The tournament is exclusively female-player focused, but the audience includes women, men and children who support relatives and friends.
Beyond competition, the event aims to:
- Raise funds and public awareness for Sharsheret’s counseling and support services.
- Provide a supportive environment where participants, many of whom have personal or family cancer experiences, can reconnect and share stories.
- Promote tennis as a means of exercise, resilience, and social connection, especially for those coping with illness.
Official Statements & Responses
Sharsheret’s model, described in the coverage, relies on peer-to-peer interaction and genetic-counseling programs to combat the isolation often felt by cancer patients and their families. The organization’s expansion in Israel underscores the growing need for such community networks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I feel it’s a great cause and that I really want to help,” — Israelis Edan Leshem, the coach
- “I realized I’m not that bad,” — Israelis Edan Leshem, the coach
- “The more people who come, the event will get better and support the cause,” — Israelis Edan Leshem, the coach
Key Figures & Groups
- Edan Leshem — former Israeli ATP player, tournament co-organizer, former Davis Cup representative.
- Ron Becker — longtime coach of Leshem, assisting with tournament operations.
- Ariella Eltes — tournament co-chair who recruited Leshem for the event.
- Sharsheret — nonprofit supporting Jewish women and families affected by breast and ovarian cancer.
What’s Next
Organizers hope the inaugural tournament will become an annual fixture, expanding participation and fundraising capacity for Sharsheret’s programs in Israel. Future editions are expected to continue linking competitive tennis with community health outreach.