Backgammon tourney for peace

A tournament pitting Bay Area sheshbesh (backgammon) players against one another at "Israel in the Gardens" will raise money for an organization that builds playgrounds and funds sports programs in mixed Arab-Jewish neighborhoods in Israel.

Both adults and teens will compete for prizes, but the funds raised from the tourney will benefit the Playing for Peace organization.

The tournament is being organized by Jewish Community High School by the Bay. Last year, JCHS students raised money for Playing for Peace by selling balloons and operating a photo booth at the festival. Their efforts helped support the building of a playground in the city of Acco, just northeast of Haifa.

For more information, call Erin Fish of JCHS at (415) 345-9777.