In mid-July, I received a message from my friend, Ory Weihs. He wanted to know if I’d be interested in collaborating with the Shalem Fund, a nonprofit he and his wife, Anna Meissner, founded in Prague. Having done well for themselves in the business world, Ory and Anna now choose to devote their lives to philanthropy. The Shalem Fund, established in 2023, champions projects that make a tangible difference both in Israel and the Jewish Diaspora. Shalem’s mission is clear: to promote the security, prosperity, and peace of Israel and its people.
Ory’s idea Organizing a $10K charity poker tournament to benefit the Israel Defense Forces Widows and Orphans Organization (IDFWO). And so began an intense few months of planning, networking, and behind-the-scenes work.
Building the Foundation
The first piece of this ambitious puzzle was securing the support of one of poker’s most recognizable names: Daniel Negreanu. Graciously, he agreed to get behind the idea. With the Poker Hall of Famer on board, the dominoes slowly began to fall. Fully “on the down low”, we engaged in extensive recruiting efforts.
We reached out to numerous people in the poker community and wider industry who had the means to participate in a $10,000 buy-in tournament, as well as recreational players and poker enthusiasts who we believed would potentially relish the experience of playing alongside Daniel and were properly bankrolled to participate in such a venture.
Then, in late October, came a game-changing moment: Isai Scheinberg, the visionary founder of PokerStars, expressed interest in supporting the cause and the initiative. Through discussions he initiated with GGPoker founder Michael Kim, the tournament was scheduled to be held at 2024 WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas.
Both GGPoker and Scheinberg took an active role in ensuring the event would be a success. Eric Hollreiser, owner of Poker.org, also enthusiastically joined the effort, offering advice and support as well as networking within his Rolodex of high-profile poker personalities to help us fill seats.
Through our combined efforts, and with the tremendously helpful assistance of WSOP COO Greg Chochon, we were thankfully able to secure many player commitments ahead of making the event publicly known. That might not sound like much, but given the price point and considering the fact that it’s tough to pin down a poker player to commit to anything (IYKYK), it was a pretty solid foundation upon which to move forward.
Verbal is Binding, But Action’s On Us… and Actions Speak Louder
Our priority while planning the event was to avoid attracting any potential negative attention (more on that, later) that could overshadow the purpose of the initiative. This wasn’t about publicity—it was about doing a good deed. So, we purposely kept everything on the down low, until the last minute.
The tournament is slated to take place tomorrow, December 10th at 12pm in the Atlantis Conference Center. It’ll feature a turbo structure and late registration for just over two hours. We’re optimistic and with 50% of each $10K buy-in going towards charity, we’re hoping to clear six figures in total funds raised.
These funds will go towards providing widows and orphans of Israeli security forces with critical care and support. From retreats and leadership seminars to children’s camps—like the Otzma Camp, in Cyprus—and enrichment courses, the goal is to sustain these families and offer them opportunities to heal, grow, and rebuild their lives.
I told a number of poker pros who I bumped into today at Atlantis about the charity poker tournament. A couple notable ones, despite not being able to play in the tournament due to prior commitments, blew us away by stepping up in a big way to lend a helping hand. First there was Phil Hellmuth, as you can read in this story eloquently captured by PokerNews’ Chad Holloway.
Later in the day, Sorel Mizzi made us an offer we couldn’t refuse: “We have a big order for Nobu. If you could please go and pick it up for us and bring it to the table, I’ll make a donation to the charity.” We did just that and next thing you know…
Upon witnessing these incredible acts of generosity, Anna’s immediate reaction was “I can hardly believe what is happening here. I need to take a minute to process it. All this money is going to change the lives of kids who paid the highest price. And it’s going to help relieve so much pressure on the widows.”
When Eric and I heard Anna utter those words, we, too, had to take a moment to reflect on what all this selfless giving means at the end of the day.
Poker players can truly be wonderful people! “Small” gestures to them have the power to make an indescribably big impact.
Facing Fear Heads-Up
Throughout the six months I worked on this project, I personally felt a slight, albeit ever-present undercurrent of trepidation given the current political sensitivities surrounding Israel. What if “the wrong people” found out? It could jeopardize everything we were doing. In today’s world—2024, no less—I often find myself afraid to publicly wear my yarmulke or openly share that I live in Israel; so sensitive is the issue.
Sadly, this fear isn’t baseless, and it’s that very same type of concern that made us so hesitant to publicize the tournament until the last minute. The people behind this initiative didn’t seek recognition. Their sole aim was to help those in need; people whose family members have given the ultimate sacrifice and through no fault of their own find themselves in tremendous distress.
With less than 24 hours until shuffle up and deal, however, staying silent any longer about what we hope to achieve through the charity poker tournament would do a disservice to the spirit of giving that inspired it.
I’ve been 100% “on the down low” about this, but now is finally the time to share (at least the beginning of the story).
I’m in the Bahamas at @WSOP Paradise doing something very important.
So incredibly grateful to have this special opportunity.
For things I believe in, I… pic.twitter.com/hWlMq3FMBh
— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) December 10, 2024
Moreover, on a personal note, I need to overcome that aforementioned fear and not be afraid to own who I am and the values I stand for. Regardless of one’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, you’ve got to be a real piece of work to voice protest against raising money to support widows and orphans.
What It Means to Be the Light in a World of Darkness
As we approach the shortest day of the year, when darkness seems to reign supreme, we must remember the power of light. The holiday season reminds us of our ability to illuminate lives and rekindle hope for those whose joy has been all but extinguished.
Fred Rogers famously said, “Look for the helpers.” Sometimes, those helpers take pains to remain hidden, working quietly to make a difference. But initiatives like this—work this special, help this vital—must be publicized.
To everyone who participated, supported, or cheered from the sidelines: thank you. Thank you for showing up, for stepping up, and for demonstrating what it means to be a light in this world.
May we all strive to follow in your footsteps. And may the world be blessed with a time of such great light that special deeds and initiatives like these will no longer have to hide in the shadows.
Editor’s Note: On behalf of the organizers, we apologize to anyone in the poker community who might’ve wanted to participate but who we inadvertently failed to reach out to. It wasn’t intentional; plainly speaking, the sensitivity of the initiative required careful discretion. Thank you for understanding.
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