Breaking Barriers. Seen here are women from different communities across Israel play soccer at the 2025 Golda Meir Tournament.
Golda Would Be Proud: Sports Helping Female Immigrants Break Barriers in Israel
Second Annual Golda Meir Tournament unites women across Israel through soccer, building community and empowerment for new immigrants
In a world that is increasingly polarized, sport is one of the few unifiers. It is not just about bringing people of different backgrounds together, sometimes it is about helping new olim (immigrants) acclimate to living in Israel – and finding their friends and community.
For many female olim who want to try break into the Israeli sports scene, the challenges may seem overwhelming. Language barriers, bureaucracy and cultural differences are sometimes prohibitive but playing a sport, especially a team-oriented game, can do wonders.
In recent weeks, Tazuz and Project Max, who are both organisations building bridges and breaking barriers through sports, held the Golda Meir Tournament for women’s soccer/football.
The Power of Golda Meir’s Legacy
Nobody exemplifies the power of Israeli women more than former Prime Minister and icon, Golda Meir. Meir, an “olah” herself, was a trailblazer in many ways and it is in her memory and spirit that Tazuz and Project Max held the second annual Golda Meir Tournament for women’s soccer.
The Beautiful Game as a Unifier
Eric Rubin
“Sport has the unique ability to bring people together. It is a way to share a common love, to have fun, to compete, and to socialize – and it also has the ability to provide an outlet – both physically and emotionally.”
Rubin continues, “We were able to bring together about 50 young women from all over Israel, who were able to play the sport they love. They were given the opportunity to forget all that is going on around them and have a few hours where all they were focused on was having fun, bonding, exercising, and competing.”
A Critical Message
“It would also be remiss of me if I didn’t recognize that unfortunately, we as a nation, do not give the same resources, respect, funding, and opportunities to women’s sports. We all need to do our part to change the culture and attitudes in regard to women’s sports,” says Rubin.
The Organizations Making It Happen
🏅 Project Max
Fighting racism, antisemitism, and intolerance through sports, leveraging advanced technology and the support of professional athletes.
Ambassador: Maia Cabrera, who plays for Maccabi Kishronot Hadera and the Israeli National team.
⚽ Tazuz
A sports and social club connecting people in Israel through recreational leagues, academies, courses, and community events.
- Tennis
- Surfing
- Beach Volleyball
- Soccer
From Watching to Playing
Eitan Hirsch
“Tazuz was established primarily for international students, providing a community away from home where they can enjoy their favorite sports in an organized, friendly, and welcoming environment.”
“We first ran two women’s leagues, but soon realized many participants were looking for structured training rather than just competition. That’s how our Women’s Soccer Academies began — 2-month programs where women can train weekly with professional coaches to improve their skills.”
Tournament By The Numbers
The Second Annual Tournament
The academies were started first in Herzliya, followed by Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and now have over 50 women actively training.
The Golda Meir Tournament brought together women from various cities for a truly unique and memorable event. Tazuz’s core mission is to foster connections across communities, empower women in competitive sports both in Israel and globally, and ensure every participant has an enjoyable experience. The Golda Meir Tournament perfectly embodies this vision.
Fighting for Equality
The Funding Gap
Women’s soccer has not received the funding and exposure that male dominated soccer has and female players have fought hard to ensure that their funding is increased. It is a battle that they have won – albeit not on the level of their male counterparts.
Looking Forward
Tazuz plans to launch more academies across the country that will aim to welcome more participants and strengthen connections across communities.
With academies across the country and partners like Project Max, these ladies are set to be trailblazers in women’s soccer. Golda would be proud!
Breaking Barriers Through Sport
From helping new immigrants find community to empowering women in competitive sports, the Golda Meir Tournament represents everything that sport can be at its best: a unifier, an equalizer, and a pathway to belonging. Named after Israel’s trailblazing Prime Minister who herself was an immigrant, the tournament honors Golda Meir’s legacy by creating opportunities for the next generation of Israeli women to break their own barriers.
