Shani Beknob and Ethi Schwartzberg • Successful and powerful women made in Haifa

(haipo) – On the occasion of International Women’s Day (8/3/25), we bring you the story of two inspiring Haifa women, each of whom is a pioneer in her field. Women’s Day is an opportunity to look at the road that still remains to gender equality, but also to celebrate the achievements of women who have shaped a new reality through their determination and talent.

Shani Beknob, a rhythmic gymnast and world champion, and Etty Schwartzberg, chairwoman of the Israel Deaf Association, are clear examples of female strength that overcomes all obstacles, overcomes challenges, and breaks through boundaries on the way to the top.

Shani Bekanob: From the age of three and a half to the Olympic podium

Shani Bekanov, 19, from Haifa, is one of the most prominent talents in artistic gymnastics in Israel. She demonstrated her impressive talent in a big way when in 2024 she won the silver medal with the Israeli team in the Olympic all-around final – an unprecedented achievement that gave Israel a place of honor in the international arena.

"I've been doing gymnastics since I was three and a half years old," says Becknoff. "It all started in a small club in Kiryat Eliezer, where a coach named Anna Wiener, from the Maccabi Haifa Association, noticed my talent and opened the way for me to train at a more professional level. Since then, gymnastics has become the center of my life. I am grateful to everyone who accompanied me along the way and allowed me to reach these achievements – to the Maccabi Haifa Association and to Roy Schwatz, whose unqualified support was a significant driving force for me."

The road to the Olympics

At the age of 14, Beknob joined the Israeli junior national team, but the road to success was far from easy. “When I was accepted into the team, I had to travel every day to train in the center of the country – a demanding but necessary route,” she says. A year later, at the age of 15, she and her teammates won a bronze medal at the European Championships – a defining moment that marked for her the magnitude of her potential.

Later, Beknob moved to train at the Wingate Institute as part of the senior team, where she devoted all her energy to making her dream come true. "We lived at Wingate for three years, practicing ten hours a day. It was an endless investment, but I knew that every moment brought me another step forward."

Tension, excitement and a moment of victory

"The Olympics are both an exciting and stressful event. In one of the first exercises we made a few small mistakes, but in the final exercise we outdid ourselves and won the silver medal. Our goal was a bronze medal, but we managed to achieve more than that."

Concessions and a new path

When asked about the sacrifices she had to make for her athletic career, she replied honestly: "My family went out to have fun, while I was on my way to practice. Maintaining friendships was also a challenge, but the girls on the team became a second family to me."

With the end of her Olympic career, Knopf chose to open a new chapter in her life. "I enlisted in the army and went through basic training, but I quickly realized that I was looking for a more meaningful way to contribute. Today, I serve as a combat fitness instructor at Camp 80, and I am happy for the opportunity to make an impact and give of myself in another field."

Do you sometimes miss exercising?

"At first I didn't miss it," she says, "but in recent days, I was at the launch of Linoy Ashram's book, in which she talks about her career. When I entered the hall, it threw me back, to the days of training, and then I felt like I missed it, after a long time since I felt it."

Do you recognize me?

"Sometimes people recognize me. A few days ago I was with one of the girls from the team in Tel Aviv, and two people stopped me and asked me if I was from the Olympics. They were very excited and wanted a picture of me."

What did you do with the medal?

"For now it's in a box in the closet, but I plan to make a beautiful dresser for it."

"My mother tongue is sign language"

Eti Schwartzberg, 48, was born in Haifa to a deaf family. "I have been hard of hearing since birth, and sign language is my native language."

At the age of 21, when she was a mother of two young children and widowed from her husband, she did not give up on education and professional advancement. "I studied for a bachelor's degree at the University of Haifa, and at the same time I continued to work for the deaf community."

Public activity from a young age

"I was a social activist from the age of 15, and at the age of 21 I was elected to the position of chairman of the Haifa Association of the Deaf. Eight years ago I was elected national chairman of the Israel Association of the Deaf."

In her role as chairwoman of the association, she led an economic and organizational revolution. "When I took office, the association was on the verge of bankruptcy. Today, after years of hard work, the budget stands at 15 million NIS and all debts have been paid off."

The Deaf Association: Promoting accessibility and equality

The association operates in a variety of areas:
Social assistance – providing support in exercising rights and counseling.
Community activities – classes, trips and social events.
Employment promotion – helping deaf people find work.
Making sign language accessible – promoting translation and educational programs.

Community leader

Schwartzberg is the first woman elected to the position after 72 years of male leadership. "Many times people have questioned my ability just because I am a woman and hard of hearing. But I fought, I proved I could and today I am proud to be a leader in our community."

Is there still a place to celebrate Women's Day?

Schwartzberg and Knopf agree that the fight for gender equality needs to continue. “Women still face difficulties and challenges, especially women with disabilities,” Schwartzberg says. “We have to continue to speak out.”

Inspiration for the next generation

These two women, Becknoff and Schwartzberg, are an example and proof that women can succeed in any field if they are willing to invest and face the challenges along the way. Whether in the world of sports, social leadership, or any other field, the message is clear: perseverance, determination, and belief in yourself can bring any woman to success.