Boston and St. Louis rabbis, synagogues get into the World Series spirit

October 22, 2013

By ELLEN FUTTERMAN

St. LOUIS (St. Louis Jewish Light) — Taking a page from “Fiddler on the Roof,” mega baseball fan and Congregation Shaare Emeth Rabbi James Bennett was recently heard uttering a variation of the famous Teyve line, “May...

World Series: Grossman’s dream job at Fenway Park

October 22, 2013

By HILLEL KUTTLER

(JTA) — You’d think Adam Grossman has a pretty easy job. After all, with the Boston Red Sox owning one of the most iconic brands in professional sports and gunning for their third World Series title in...

Israel, Israeli swimmers face discrimination at events in Arab countries

October 22, 2013

(JTA) — The Israeli flag was removed from outside the venue of the FINA Swimming World Cup in Doha, Qatar.

A tweet was posted Sunday complaining about the flag’s presence before it was taken down from outside the Aspire Zone,...

Israel windsurfer takes gold at World Cup

October 20, 2013

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli windsurfer Shahar Zubari won a gold medal at the Sailing World Cup in China.

Zubari finished first in the men’s RS:X on Saturday in Qingdao.

Israeli Maayan Davidovich took the bronze medal in the women’s RS:X.

Jewish Argentine coach guides Colombia soccer’s return to World Cup

October 17, 2013

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (JTA) — Led by its Jewish Argentine coach, Jose Pekerman, the Colombia soccer team will be returning to the World Cup following a 16-year absence.

With Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Paraguay, Colombia was in second place in...

Finnish Jewish runner credited with victory stripped in 1938

October 08, 2013

(JTA) — The Finnish Sports Federation awarded first place to a Jewish runner who was denied victory at a national competition 75 years ago.

Less than a month after apologizing for stripping Abraham Tokazier of his victory in a 100-meter...

Israel-born sculptor Omri Amrany carves out a niche in American sports

September 30, 2013

By HILLEL KUTTLER

BALTIMORE (JTA) – Needing a gift for retiring New York Yankees reliever Mariano Rivera, the Baltimore Orioles pitched their idea for a sculpture to the Israel-born artist Omri Amrany.

No surprise there, even though Amrany knows nothing...

Book on Jewish sports stars strikes Ryan Braun from cover

September 25, 2013

(JTA) — A Jewish publisher pulled a photo of Ryan Braun from the cover of a children’s book about Jewish sports stars.

Braun, the Milwaukee Brewers outfielder suspended  in July for the remainder of the season for violating Major League...

For a big-hearted camp owner, death of ‘The Dream’ hits hard

September 25, 2013

By HILLEL KUTTLER

BALTIMORE (JTA) — Dean Meminger sat in owner Irv Bader’s office at Camp Seneca Lake and talked of his girlfriend, her battle with lupus and their plans to marry.

Meminger, known as “The Dream” as a star...

Nate Freiman’s big year: Slugging for Israel to chasing a pennant in the big leagues

September 11, 2013

By HILLEL KUTTLER

BALTIMORE (JTA) – Last September, first baseman Nate Freiman was doing his best to help Israel secure a spot in the World Baseball Classic. Despite some super hitting from the towering slugger, the team fell short.

Fast...