OUR
STORY
"How do you want to start a group for skater girls when there are only two of us?"
It all started one afternoon at the old skate park in Gan Sachher, in Jerusalem. Maayan and Paola used to skate there every day after school. Maayan comes up with the idea to start a girl's skateboarding group. Paola didn't think it was an easy thing to do, or a simple one. But Maayan was serious. She takes her skateboarding and her women seriously, and couldn't stand the lack of support for the female skateboard scene.
She also doesn't take no for an answer, and Paola began to see things differently – which wasn't difficult, because of course Maayan was right.
By the end of that same evening they had begun creating their own logo, with a chalk stone that they found on the floor. Several styles and many ideas for names later – the JSG as we know and love it today was born.
Who knew that this simple idea would become something with enormous potential?!
OUR TEAM
Maayan Levi
co-founder of JSG, 30 years old, originally from Jerusalem and presently living in Tel Aviv. Maayan holds a BSc in Earth Sciences from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and has been skateboarding for 10 years. Maayan came up with the whole idea of the JSG, and didn't find it at all odd that she was starting a group for skater girls with only two members "Skateboard for me is a way of life, is art, is love and is community."
Paola Ruiloba
co-founder of JSG, 29 years old, originally from Panama but has lived in Jerusalem for 13 years. Currently finished her degree in Industrial Design at the Hadassah College and also a Capoeira instructor. Paola has been a skater for 8 years and training in Capoeira for 7 years,
and somehow manages to do all this and work with only 24 hours a day. "Skateboard is home, family and a place where I can express the real me."
Noa Katz
from Carmiel – now living in Tel Aviv. Noa is an illustrator, who graduated from Jerusalem's Bezalel Academy in 2016 with a degree in Visual Arts and since then has published an independent comic book, among other things. Although Noa began skateboarding at age 12, she claims to have taken a lot of time off. It doesn't show in her skating. Noa's last break was 5 years ago and she has been riding constantly since then, while constantly keeping it real and keeping us laughing.
Natalie Zerbib
from Ashdod has been skateboarding for almost 2 years, in between injuries. Natalie is all in on everything she does, and her favorite past-times, when she isn't skating, are – in no particular order – drawing, talking and sleeping.
Hannabella Terrel
from Jerusalem has been skateboarding for almost 5 years, in between injuries. Hanna is all in on everything she does, and her favorite past-times, when she isn't skating, are watching movies, hanging out with her friends, talking and sleeping.
Emily
from Jerusalem Kryat Yovel. She has been skateboarding for 4 years now. She loves sciences and her grades in school are the highest in her class.
Aviya Gerlitz
from Jerusalem has skated for over 9 years (with little mini-breaks on the way). Aviya also likes dancing and swimming, while she isn't studying for her Masters in Sociology. "For me, skateboarding is a symbol of gender equality which smashes preconceptions about people - and a game of peace and justice between people – regardless of their race, religion, color or gender."
Neri Katz-Haddad
from Jerusalem, Skateboarding and soccer are her two passions - both give her a sense of community on the one hand and individualism on the other. Skateboarding is funny that way. She has been skateboarding for three years. Neri is a girl of few written words, but her mother thinks skateboarding is freedom.
Noa Shushan
from Jerusalem. She has been skateboarding for 4 years, but only skates on weekends or when she has time between school. She wants to be business manager.
Roni Horovitz
from Tel Aviv has been skateboarding for almost 2 years, Roni is all in on everything she does, and her favorite past-times, when she isn't skating, are – DJ, dancing drawing and hanging out with her friends.
Fadwa
from East Jerusalem. She has been skateboarding for a year, she like to travel to new skateparks around the country with her friends.
Taga Koffman
from Jerusalem the coolest girl in town, has been skateboarding for almost a year. She's a product manager and graphic designer.
Ayden Alami
from East Jerusalem Akabet el Suwana. She has been skateboarding for a couple of months. "I'm very clumsy and i fall all the time". She's very athletic (soccer, basketball, horse ride, diving, surfing, skateboarding and dance).
When she grows up she wants to be an Astrologist and a horse riding coach.
Michal
from Jerusalem. She has been skateboarding for a couple of years. She loves to play soccer and specially skateboarding.
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Misgav Watzman
from Jerusalem has been skateboarding for almost 3 years, she likes visit her grandmother in the US and her favorite past-times, when she isn't skating, are – hanging out with her friends, she loves dogs and to listen to good music.
Diana
from Kfar Saba, skates like a rock star with a lot style and elegance, always skating around the world and exploring more skates spots. Her unique style as a person makes to everyone to love her.
Tahel
from Ashdod She has been skateboarding for a couple of years and shreds everything in her way. She loves surfing and specially skateboarding.
Anita
from Ashdod She has been skateboarding for a while now and shreds everything in her way. She loves science and specially skateboarding.
Luiza
from Krayot She has been skateboarding for a while now and shreds everything in her way. She always with a beautiful smile while skating. She likes to compete and participate in every skate contest or event.