CdM brothers find escape in soccer

Steve Virgen

There was a moment Michael Benabou thought the worst, yet he became

too nervous to cry.

On the television in Israel, Michael heard the news of a bombing

at a bus station and realized his younger brother, Danny, was leaving

from that same place to visit their grandmother.

“I didn’t know if he was on the bus or not,” said Michael, a

senior at Corona del Mar High. “I was scared.”

Danny, a freshman at CdM, could have been injured or killed in the

bombing if his bus was an hour late.

That happened seven months ago. They were in Israel for the past

10 years and, because of their Judaism, they dealt with much of the

turmoil in Israel. But now in America, the Benabou brothers want to

forget the past. They have painful memories of their life there. As a

matter of therapy, perhaps as a means of escape, the Benabous find

solace on the soccer field. Michael is on the Sea Kings’ varsity

team, while Danny plays for the school’s frosh/soph squad.

Because of an ankle injury and the process of settling back into

life in the United States, Michael has not been able to attain much

playing time with the Sea Kings, who take a 5-1-4 record into a Jan.

7 meeting with crosstown rival Newport Harbor. But he’s content with

being part of the team and remains motivated to contribute to the

squad before season’s end.

Besides, soccer means much more to Michael than earning a varsity

letter.

“When you go to a soccer game or play soccer, everything goes

out,” Michael said. “You don’t worry about your problems. You don’t

worry about the outside, just the game. When I play soccer, I have

fun. I play with a lot of passion. It’s like an escape in a way.”

Soccer has been an outlet for peace for the Benabous, who have had

much trauma to overcome. They were born in America. Isreal, however,

despite being a place where trouble seemed to lurk in every shadow,

is their home.

“If the situation in Israel was better, I would prefer to be

there,” Danny said. “I grew up there. All my friends are there. I

know everyone in my neighborhood. Here, I come and I know no one.”

While the Benabous are finding their way in a new life, they are

pleased to be away from the strife and danger. When Michael walked to

school in Israel, he replaced the antennae for his cell phone with a

screwdriver as a possible weapon of defense against any Arab

attacker, he said. He had to remain alert and emotionally strong.

He had seen friends one day, and the next, mourned for their loss.

He has dodged death a few times, as well.

Two years ago, Michael was less than a mile away from a bombing

and could feel the shock wave from the explosion. He ran over to the

scene and what he saw remains as nightmarish pictures in his mind.

“I remember bodies on the floor and blood everywhere,” Michael

said. “I could still see it in my head. There is a lady, her eyes

wide open. Glass broken and blood all over the place. Stuff I will

never forget. Stuff that will just stay in my head.”

Throughout their lives, soccer has been a constant for Michael and

Danny. They grew up with the sport and love everything about the

game, they said. Danny especially enjoys the intricacies of the game,

the dribbling, passing and technique involved, while Michael loves

the spirit of the sport and the emotions that can come from scoring a

goal.

The game can somehow calm their worries.

Joseph and Marcelle, their parents, as well as younger sister,

Thila, remain in Israel. Michael and Danny left for security reasons

and, frankly, to avoid serving in the Israeli Army, which would have

been required. They stay with Annette and Gabriel, their aunt and

uncle, in a home near the school.

During the winter break, Michael returned to Isreal for a visit.

It will most likely be his last. Now, he must find a new home in

California and at CdM. He said he wants to meet new friends and, on

the soccer field, his goal is to become a starter for the Sea Kings.

That would be quite an accomplishment, considering the CdM boys

soccer team is talented and has depth. It won a share of the Pacific

Coast League title last year and expectations are high.

“He has gotten a slow start with us,” CdM Coach Pat Callaghan

said. “The guys like him. He’s a skillful player and I think he will

help us out.”

Michael injured his ankle during practice early in the season and

missed time. He has been building back strength and thoughts of his

family and Israel only inspire him to do better.