For the students of the “Beit LeBanim” boys’ boarding school, a unique social institution of the Jewish Community of Dnipro intended for children from at-risk families, an unusual sports activity was organized – the boys got acquainted with a sport that was new to them and tried their hand at American pool.
Their introduction to the world of billiards began with 8-ball pool, or “eight-ball” – one of the most popular and widespread varieties of this game in the world. Eight-ball pool uses a set of fifteen numbered colored balls and a white cue ball: after the opening shot, the opponents each strive to pocket their own group of balls – seven solids or seven stripes – and the game can be finished by correctly pocketing the black ball, No. 8. Relatively simple to understand, the rules at the same time demand from the player precision, calculation, and the ability to think through their actions several moves ahead.
Perhaps this introduction to pool will become for some of the boys the first step into the great world of billiards, and in time they may want to try their hand at its other varieties as well – all the way to snooker, with its far more complex tactics, special culture, and well-deserved reputation as one of the most intellectual and refined billiard disciplines.
Billiards is interesting not only as an engaging way to spend free time: it requires concentration of attention, precision of movement, coordination, endurance, and the ability to calculate one’s actions in advance. Therefore, the introduction to pool became for the boys at once a rest, a new experience, and an opportunity to test themselves in an unusual form of sports leisure.
“We strive to ensure that our students have the opportunity to constantly discover something new, to try their hand at the most diverse activities, and to find what truly captivates them,” noted Rabbi David Vaskovsky, director of the “Beit LeBanim” boys’ boarding school. “Today the boys got acquainted with American pool, learned precision, focus, and calculation, and simply had a wonderful time together. And for the opportunity to give our children such diverse and meaningful leisure, we sincerely thank the united and cohesive Jewish Community of Dnipro under the leadership of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Kaminezki.”
