Herzlia gamers enabled to compete around Shabbos

For most teenagers, gaming is a hobby. For a small group of Herzlia High School pupils, it’s become a serious competitive pursuit. And the organisation behind the ACG School Showdown last weekend made it possible for them to compete while still observing Shabbat. 

On 16 and 17 July, Daniel Rozowsky in Grade 8, Adam Harris in Grade 9, Nathan Bloch in Grade 8, and Joshua Gamaroff in Grade 10 represented their school at the showdown at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World in Cape Town. This esports competition showcases teamwork, strategy, and quick thinking, as much as lightning-fast reflexes. 

The four Herzlia pupils competed in both Fortnite and FIFA EA Sports FC (Electronic Arts Football Club) and delivered an outstanding performance, with Gamaroff finishing second nationally in FIFA after a closely contested final on the main stage. Herzlia’s Fortnite team placed 12th overall with 105 points, surpassing their own expectations. 

Because one of the days they were competing was a Friday, their teacher Kerry-Ann van der Merwe, the United Herzlia Schools head of innovation, organised for the boys to play from home. 

“I told them about Shabbat and the children needing to get home on time, and that we had to factor in travelling home and traffic. We didn’t want the children getting home late and families not having enough time to prepare for Shabbat,” she said. 

On Friday afternoon, the pupils left the tournament and Van der Merwe stayed at the venue to facilitate the process. She obtained the game code, sent it to the team via Google Chat, and they used it to log in and rejoin the match from home. 

The fact that they didn’t play throughout the tournament because of Shabbat didn’t affect how they were scored. Points were awarded per round, for how many players they eliminated, and then when they finished the game or got knocked out, as a team. 

“It was fun. I was proud of the boys for being as flexible as they were, but also steadfast in that we had Shabbat to observe and make sure that was adhered to,” said Van der Merwe. “The league was extremely understanding and supportive, and I admire them for that. It was wonderful that they could make a plan to accommodate our children so they could still participate, and complete their rounds from home.” 

Having practised since the beginning of the year in their respective games, the team were excited to compete at national level and represent their school. All the players had started gaming when they were younger, playing at home before esports was introduced at school. They were thrilled by the opportunity to play with their friends and compete. 

After playing in weekly matches for the first two school terms, Gamaroff finished in the top two of the school online league of EA Sports FC (2026). The Fortnite team, made up of Harris, Bloch, and Rozowsky, were promoted to the premier division of the ACG school league. 

For Harris, the captain of the Fortnite team, being able to compete against other schools was important for them to gauge how they work as a team. 

Bloch explained that being able to compete with other teams enhanced the experience. “It’s fun sitting by the computer on a call, but it’s more fun at a big event where everyone is also playing, so we can meet our opponents and understand what we’re up against,” he said. 

Gamaroff also liked going to gaming events. “When you play, especially in my game, you get to interact with a lot of like-minded people who understand it, and you learn from one another. That’s why I enjoy playing in person, especially against professional players. It’s always good to compete against someone better than you because that’s how you improve. If I know I’m going to beat someone easily, I’m not really being challenged. Being surrounded by people who share the same passion and are all trying to get better makes it a really rewarding experience.” 

“Beyond the game itself, what I love about esports is how it breaks down social walls. It gives kids from all walks of life, who might never normally cross paths, a chance to connect over a shared passion, feel genuinely valued, and build a supportive community together,” said Van der Merwe.