The Israeli cachibol league, Mamanet, is a grass roots non-professional community sports club for mothers. Our aim was to assess if participants in the Mamanet League have higher levels of social capital and if social capital and wellbeing improve with time. Two groups were interviewed: a control group not participating in the league and a group of Mamanet participants. The women were interviewed within 3 months of joining (T1) and 13–15 months later (T2). The questionnaire included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, social capital (social support, social involvement, trust) and wellbeing (self-reported health (SRH), psychosomatic symptoms, depressive symptoms). At T1 the participants had higher social capital and SRH scores than the control group and lower psychosomatic and depressive symptoms compared with the control group. Participation in the Mamanet League seems to improve two of the three social capital measures: social support and social involvement, showing an increase among the Mamanet group over time and no change in the control group. Participation in the league had no significant effect on wellbeing during this period. Women that participate in sports clubs may initially have higher social capital; in addition, participation may increase levels of social capital over time.

The Israeli Mamanet Cachibol League (MCL) serves as a community model that incorporates physical activity and amateur team sports among women. Team sports have been shown to bridge gaps and build positive relationships between communities. There is a paucity of data regarding the advantages of team sports to promote the health and well-being of women from different ethnic backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of participation in MCL with social capital, health, and well-being across two ethnic groups: Jewish and Arab women. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among women aged 25–64: 102 Jewish and 96 Arab MCL participants, and 102 Jewish and 81 Arab non-MCL participants. Data regarding social capital (trust, social support and social involvement) and well-being (self-reported health and psychosomatic and depressive symptoms) were analyzed using two-way analyses of covariance and multiple regression models with sequential entry of the variables. MCL participants from both ethnic groups reported higher social capital (p < 0.001), better self-reported health (p < 0.001), and lower psychosomatic symptoms (p < 0.001) compared to non-participants. Jewish MCL participants reported lower depressive symptoms (p < 0.001) than non-participants, however no difference was found between Arab MCL participants and non-participants (p < 0.160). Amateur team sports such as MCL are related with higher levels of well-being and social capital. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies that examine the change in social capital and well-being over time.

Summary Health Exercise Nutrition for the Really Young (HENRY) is a UK community–based early childhood obesity prevention intervention that was adopted and implemented in Israel between 2013 and 2018. The aim of this study was to explore the implementation process in Israel and compare it with that of the ‘parent’ programme in the UK, in order to throw light on the challenges of introducing complex interventions into different countries and cultures. Published reports from HENRY and Haifa University’s evaluation of the Israeli implementation were reviewed and comparisons between the UK and Israel were carried out utilizing the RE-AIM framework. In both countries, the intention was to implement in lower SES communities. When comparing the individual items, Reach and Effectiveness, we found a difference in the Reach although Effectiveness was similar: Reach was proportionally lower in Israel, but parent and professional changes in behaviour were positive in both countries. For the organizational items Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance, we found large differences between the countries. Major challenges identified in Israel included: failing to take adequate account when planning and implementing the intervention of the different ways social and health services are organized and how local authorities are structured and provide services. In addition, differences in culture beyond language and professional variations were challenges, when trying to transfer the intervention with high fidelity from the UK to Israel. Lessons learnt may benefit others in attempting cross-country implementation of complex interventions

Summary This exploratory study deals with biological parents’ involvement in residential placement in Israel from the point of view of 79 youth who left care. It presents youth’s retrospectives on their parents’ involvement in care and the degree to which the placement staff involved parents in reality. The youth functioning while in care and after leaving were also examined according to their parents’ involvement. Findings Results show that only a quarter of the youth reported that staff involved their parents on a regular basis. T-tests and chi square tests showed significant differences in functioning between young adults with high and low parental involvement. Youth whose parents were more involved had better educational achievement in care and after and reported significantly lower involvement in risky behaviors than those with lower parental involvement. However, no group differences were found regarding outcomes in adjustment to military service and financial status. Applications The findings emphasize the gaps in parental involvement in care by staff and the potential contribution of engaging biological parents in the lives of their children while in care and toward emancipation.

Background‘Beterem in the City’ is a model developed in 2008, based on criteria established by Safe Communities, to promote and manage child safety in municipalities. The model incorporates components of public health, organisational consultation and safety management and is tailored to unique characteristics of municipalities in Israel. A formative and summative evaluation of program effectiveness was conducted.MethodsThe three year evaluation process comprised various methods. Quantitative tools included: 1. Surveys with program directors and managers in 23 cities 2. Surveys with organisational consultants; 2. Surveys of safe behaviour in four cities. Qualitative tools included: 1. Interviews with program developers and stakeholders; 2. In-depth review of program implementation in four cities, based on interviews and program documentationResultsThe evaluation indicates that the implementation of the model is incomplete and demands improvement. Those components that are implemented in full demand less time, resources, and expertise as compared to the components that were not implemented. Program components that were found to be correlated with positive outcomes include effective management and utilisation of the organisational consultation hours.While ‘Beterem in the City’ has potential to lead organisational change and increase child safety over time, the current model is ambitious and may not be suitable for the organisational culture and management in most municipalities in Israel. In spite of these results, the evaluation points to success in implementing the model and better outcomes over time and in cities with stronger and more evolved management structures.Conclusions‘Beterem in the City’ needs to be adapted to different types of municipalities in Israel, including Arab cities and cities with a low socio-economic population. In order to implement the model effectively additional resources, from national bodies, will need to be directed to the program.