Pe'er takes part in free tennis clinic for disadvantaged NY children

By ELANA KIRSH
Israeli tennis star Shahar Pe'er participated in a free tennis clinic for disadvantaged children in New York City on Thursday, according to the Consulate General of Israel in New York. In a statement, the consulate said that Pe'er was "extremely excited" to participate in the clinic, which was organized in co-operation with the New York City Sports Commission and the City Parks Foundation. "The Consulate General of Israel is very happy that we have the opportunity to arrange this workshop for New York City kids," Consul General of Israel to New York Asaf Shariv was quoted as saying. "As these kids prepare to go back to school, I am sure that this tennis workshop will be one of their summer highlights." New York City Sports Commissioner Kenneth Podziba also commented on the workshop, saying that "we are very fortunate that [Pe'er] is willing to take a break from her preparations for the US Open to conduct a free clinic for some of New York City's underserved children." The statement quoted David Saranga, Consul for Media Relations and Public Affairs at the Israeli Consulate as saying that "it is especially meaningful when we are able to bring together children of different ethnicities with a similar interest: tennis."