Welcome to the Center for Sport and Jewish Life "Where Ben Gurion meets Ben Gordon" The Center for Sport and Jewish Life is a donor-supported 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Jewish identity, Jewish community, and Jewish values through sports.

Dear Reader, Bruchim Ha-Ba’im! Welcome to the website of the Center for Sport and Jewish Life. We are pleased to have visitors from all over the world, and hope that you will enjoy the articles posted here. We want to hear from you! Please write us at JewishSports@gmail.com, with your ideas for stories, to let us know of Jewish athletes competing at the high school or collegiate level, if you are interested in writing for us, or SIGN OUR GUESTBOOK to let us know you stopped by. We hope to see you back here soon!

The Center for Sport and Jewish Life Promoting Jewish Values and Jewish Learning through Sport ANNOUNCES: 4th Sport and Jewish Life Essay Contest “What does it take to succeed in sports?" This year’s contest is timed with the Summer Olympic Games, and the quest of athletes all across the globe to reach this event. Whether in the Olympics or Little League, college athletics or on the golf course, finding success usually involves cultivating certain practices and traits, as well as certain commitments and values. We would like to know what you think it takes to succeed in sports, and why you think that might be important. Whether you play sports or are a fan, what are the things about sports that you think enrich our lives? We would like to hear about your own story, or the experiences of others in your life, or even what you have noticed about high profile athletes in professional sports. Your essay should incorporate a discussion of Jewish values, teachings from the Torah, or other Jewish texts or practices, as well as any other writings or films of interest to you. Lenny Krayzelburg will serve as honorary head judge for this contest. Also serving on the judging panel will be University of New Orleans head men’s basketball coach Joe Pasternack, and former Minnesota Vikings tight end Brent Novoselsky. Entries will be judged in the following categories: Grades 6-9 * Grades 10-12 * College students and others Entrants in each group whose essays are considered to be the best will be awarded U.S. Savings Bonds. In addition, schools or other institutions with significant number of essays submitted will also be considered for an award to be used for Jewish sports programming. Deadline for submission of essay and accompanying materials is June 23, 2008. For contest rules and application form, click here. Some contest details subject to change. Essays become property of The Center for Sport and Jewish Life.

Dr. J Makes a House Call... to the President of Israel
The 2008 NBA Draft, scheduled for June 26, will include at least one Jewish candidate. To read all about him, click here.
Remembering and Honoring the Fallen
Note: This year, Yom HaZikkaron, Israel’s memorial day for its fallen soldiers, is observed on Tuesday night, May 6 and Wednesday May 7. Yom HaAtzma’ut, Independence Day, is observed Wednesday night and Thursday, May 8. Both are pushed back by two days this year because of the Sabbath. When I was a Hebrew school teacher back in the day, I had a colleague from Israel. The students told me that in his first year, having just come to the States, they managed to convince him that days when World Series games were played were school holidays, and as such, Hebrew school did not meet on those days.  Entire Article »
Blue (and White) Devil Jon Scheyer
	Some years ago, St. Joseph’s University’s men’s basketball team was scheduled to play Lute Olson’s Wildcats in Tucson. A snowstorm prevented the St. Joe’s team from getting to Arizona, and as a result they had to forfeit the game. To gain sympathy, St. Joe’s coach Phil Martelli (this was in the pre-Jameer Nelson glory days) commented that whereas Arizona had players that were McDonald’s All-Americans, St. Joe’s had players that ate at McDonalds. The point being, of course, that McDonald’s All-Americans signed to play at top programs. With 14 Final Four appearances (3rd behind UCLA and North Carolina) and three NCAA championships, Duke basketball is certainly one of those top teams, with its fair share of high school McDonald’s All-Americans. One member of the current Duke team holds the record as the only Jewish McDonald’s All-American to date. Sophomore guard Jon Scheyer recently spoke with our reporter. Here is what he had to say:   Entire Article »
Jon Scheyer
The Jewish Boys of Springtime
	On the Jewish calendar, March means Purim, and recalling the time that lots were cast to determine the fate of Persian Jews. For aspiring minor league baseball players, March means spring training, at the end of which ones fate is determined – as far as season assignments in the hierarchy of the clubs farm teams. Two Jewish minor leaguers, both pitchers, both in their third season of professional play, spoke recently to the Center for Sport and Jewish Life. Here’s what Avi Rasowsky and Josh Appell had to say about life in the minor leagues.
Avi Rasowsky		Josh Appell

Samantha Schlachterman named Sun Belt Conference Female Diver of the Year
	The Center for Sport and Jewish Life extends a hearty Mazel Tov to Samantha (Sami) Schlachterman, a senior at Florida Atlantic University, who was recently named Sun Belt Conference Female Diver of the Year, after earning a first place finish in the 3-meter diving event at the conference championship. Schlachterman, a senior from Cherry Hill, NJ, also finished 3rd in the 1-meter event, helping FAU to an overall second-place finish and a spot in the NCAA Zone-B Diving Championships.
Sami Schlacterman, FAU Diver
Jewish Sports Center, HaKo'Ach, Re-opens in Vienna
		On March 11, 2008, the Associated Press reported that the Jewish sports club,  HaKo’akh of Vienna was being re-dedicated in its new home in the city’s Prater Park.  Almost 70 years to the day, on March 12, 1938, one million Austrians had gathered in Heroes’ Square to cheer on the arrival of the Nazis.                                                                                        Entire Article »
HaKo'Ach's soccer team won the Austrian National Championship in 1924-25.

Duke soph Jon Scheyer scores career high 27 points in 96-95 loss to Miami

Trailing Miami by 20 points nearly 3/4 of the way through the game, Duke mounted a late second-half rally, only to see victory elude them in the final seconds of play. Leading the comeback effort was Jon Scheyer, who played like a man on a mission. After shooting 2-for-6 in the first half, Scheyer connected on 5 of his 7 second-half shots, including 4-for-5 from behind the arc. He sank 8 of his 9 foul shots to finish the night as the game’s high scorer. Jon Scheyer                                                                                                                              Entire Article »

They Said It...

In his 1999 account of his career as an NFL referee, Jerry Markbreit described how as a first-year official he got into the habit of attending Catholic mass. The head of his officiating crew, Tommy Bell, caught him off guard when he "broached a subject that was to affect me deeply as a person and forever alter my professional routine. He said, 'Jerry, I know you're Jewish, but this crew goes to Catholic church before every game. I'm a Baptist and I've been going for the last fifteen years. We think of it as something that draws us together. But you're certainly not obligated to go. Everyone will understand.' I had no idea how to react. I said, "Does everybody go?" He said, 'Yes.' 'Well, I'm going, too.' When we parted, I thought, 'Are you crazy, Jerry?' "The next morning, when we arrived at church, I felt very awkward. I'd never been in one before. I walked inside, and boy, I had this terrible, almost sacrilegious feeling that maybe the walls would topple down on me for being there. We sat together in the pew and, when the Mass started, they all kneeled on the kneeling boards. I was afraid to do it. I just sat there thinking: 'Is this what it takes to be an NFL official? I can't do this. Why am I here?' Then I realized that not everybody on the crew was Catholic, but they were here, so it must be okay. I decided I would just say my own prayers, like in temple, and God would certainly understand. Even though I was in a Catholic church, I was praying Jewish." "After the service, as we filed to the doors, the Catholic members dipped their fingers in the holy water and made little signs of the cross on their foreheads. I thought: 'What do I do? Should I make the sign of the Jewish star? Then (another member of our crew) came over.....and said, 'We know that you're Jewish, but this has nothing to do with religion. This is togetherness. We've been doing this for years, and we're very proud that you would do it with us.' "I had attended church with them because I wanted to fit in. I didn't want these guys to feel burdened with a rookie. I wanted them to be happy that the league put me on their crew....I didn't want to be the nebechel little shlepperdik who comes on a crew and doesn't know his tochis from a hole in the ground." From Last Call: Memoirs of an NFL Referee, by Jerry Markbreit, published by Sports Publishing Inc. Reprinted with permission.

"Sharp: I wish everyone could see what Israel is really like" When Derrick Sharp completed his playing days at the University of South Florida, his entire starting five went over to play in Israel. He has been there for the past 12 years, the last 10 with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Sharp, an African-American, became a naturalized Israeli citizen, and spent 2000-2003 as a member of the Israeli National Team. "It was a privilege to be part of that team," he said of the experience. "I was honored that they wanted me to play, and I had a great time." When a reporter asked him during the Orlando visit where "home" is, he replied, "That's a good question! I grew up in Orlando. I played in Tampa. My wife is from Canada. And I've been in Israel for the past 12 years." The 34 year old figures he has 4-5 good years left in him, and would love to finish out his career with Maccabi. He might even stay in Israel when his playing days are over. "Living in Israel has definitely broadened my outlook. I love it over there. My mom has come to visit, she loves it too. We aren't concerned about the safety issue – that is mostly media hype, what they show you on TV. I wish everyone could come over here and see what it is really like."

Featured Articles

Remembering and Honoring the Fallen Coach K and the Meaning of Passover Blue (and White) Devil Jon Scheyer Josh Appell: It can be tough, but if you stick with it hopefully good things can happen More Articles »

Backstroker Krayzelburg Giving Back           Four-time Olympic gold medalist and Center for Sport and Jewish Life Advisory Board member Lenny Krayzelburg has never lost sight of his journey to the top of his sport. As a recently arrived teen from the Ukraine who spoke a faltering English, Krayzelburg found a home of sorts at the Los Angeles JCC, before achieving fame at USC and the Sydney and Athens Olympics. In recent times, the pool at the JCC has fallen into a state of disrepair. Krayzelburg, a one-time JCC lifeguard, tossed the JCC a life preserver in the form of a $100,000 donation. Krayzelburg served as head judge for the Center for Sport and Jewish Life's last essay contest, and continues to actively support the Center's work.