When Mamanet member and paediatrician, Dr Miriam Herman reached out to Bnoth Zion WIZO in Cape Town, she quickly understood the power of the Cape Town community.
At a presentation hosted by WIZO and its members, Mamanet founder and Chairwoman, Ofra Abramowitz and Dr Herman spoke to a keen audience, including Marc Falconer, Principal of Herzlia High School, Tina Brenzel, Head of Herzlia Sports; Kerry Hoffman and Karen Gootkin from Souper Troopers; Daphne Miller from the Union of Jewish Women; Michal Ilan from the South African Zionist Federation Israel Centre; and Partnership2gether.
Mamanet (Catchibol) is a team-sport similar to volleyball, and is unique in that it is exclusively for mothers, and is the largest community sport enterprise of its kind in the world. Started in Israel 13 years ago to combine sports and social responsibility to build stronger communities, it has grown in popularity across the globe. Mamanet leagues “give mothers the chance to work out, have fun, meet other women from their children’s schools, and set an active example to their kids”.
Abramowitz said they were awed by the response from the Cape Town community, with offers to help with the establishment of Mamanet here pouring in. “This is how a community is built”, said an emotional Abramowitz.