At IFCJ Canada, our passion is this community of faith that provides for God’s people. And while each member of this community shares our passion—as individuals, we each have our own personal passions, our own God-given talents, and our own ways that we share them. Our friends at the Jerusalem Post share this story of one such friend of IFCJ Canada—Larry Tanenbaum, who has combined his passions for sport and for helping others:
It’s not always easy to combine your passion for one field with your passion for doing good for others — but well-known Canadian business leader and philanthropist Larry Tanenbaum found a way.
To say sports are a big part of Larry Tanenbaum’s life is an understatement. He is chairman of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, Chairman of the National Basketball Association Board of Governors, and a Governor and member of the Executive Committee of the National Hockey League and Major League Soccer. He’s also a Hockey Hall of Fame Board member in Toronto, Ontario. These and many other accomplishments make him an integral figure in Canadian sports.
Tanenbaum, a staunch supporter of Israel, first became aware of the Hapoel Jerusalem soccer club through the then-mayor of Jerusalem and Israel’s current Minister of the Economy, Nir Barkat. The soccer program is supported by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews of Canada (IFCJ Canada).
“[Barkat] approached us with the idea of taking a stake in the ownership of the soccer club, as it was experiencing financial difficulties,” Tanenbaum said. “I investigated and was enthused by what I discovered — a community-based and owned club by and for its members.” Tanenbaum has supported the soccer club for years and partnered with IFCJ Canada in 2021 to double the impact…
Read the rest of this inspiring article at the Jerusalem Post.
