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Alef Interviews: Tamir Goodman
When asked to name the most famous Jewish professional athletes in history, most respondents would likely toss out names like “Hank Greenberg” and “Sandy Koufax” without too much hesitation. Give them a few minutes more, and some people might even come up with “Kerri Strug” or “Mark Spitz.” But, over the last several years another name has begun to gain traction. From his native Maryland to basketball courts across Israel, an entire generation of sports fans is cheering on professional basketballer, Tamir Goodman: “The Jewish Jordan.”
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Goodman first attracted national attention after profiles in Sports Illustrated, ESPN, and 60 Minutes, and raised eyebrows after a series of high-profile college recruitment offers. Ultimately, Goodman decided to play college basketball for Towson University, and in 2002 made aliyah to play professionally in the Israeli basketball leagues for Maccabi Tel-Aviv, and then Maccabi Haifa. Goodman recently announced his retirement from professional basketball, and has been focusing on leading basketball clinics, workshops, and motivational seminars in the United States. Goodman is also one of the leading figures advocating for the Haifa Hoops for Kids program, which allows American donors to provide basketball tickets for underprivileged children in Israel.
Alef recently caught up with Tamir by phone, and talked to him about his life, his work, and what it’s like to be a Jewish sports hero:
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Thanks for talking to us Tamir. Tell us a little bit of what you’ve been up to.
I’m in the States, i’m on an extended speaking tour. We have a reality TV show, we have a campus initiative, we have basketball caps and clinics and tournaments around the world, and we’ve really been working hard on Haifa Hoops for Kids. Here in America I do motivational speaking at Zionist organizations, at Chabad, Hillel, Aish ha’Torah. And, we do it to connect to Israel and Judaism. And, there’s Haifa Hoops for Kids which is a tzadakah program that raises money and empowers underprivileged kids from the North. [of Israel] It’s a great way to connect to Israel because you get to meet with kids, and teach them the sport that you love, and you can do it all through basketball.
Some of our readers might not be so familiar with your story- Share a bit about how you got to where you are, today.
I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and my older brother played basketball, and was very good. He took me to the gym one day, and I kind of never left. I grew up in a house full of Jewish pride, where we were taught from day one that we needed to take our talents and use them for ha’Shem. I learned very young that my biggest talent was basketball, and my goal is to try to show the world that you could play basketball, play division 1, play professionally, and not play on Shabbat.
Tell us how it feels to be playing a sport largely invented by Jews. Do you feel like you’re a part of that tradition?
I know that there’s been a lot of great Jewish athletes, and I was raised to be a fan. I remember my father teaching me about Jewish athletes in ALL the sports. I remember, as a young kid, seeing them talk about Hanukkah on ESPN and thinking that was the coolest thing! I think everyone has their specific mission, and their special talent, and their own way, and for me it was being the best basketball player that I could be, and at the same time, not playing on Shabbat. I had the opportunity to play for the number one team in the word at the time, University of Maryland, they won the national championship. Let me put it this way – if I would have played on Shabbat, I would have a national championship ring today, but on the other hand, I have Shabbat today, and I don’t have a national championship ring, and to me that’s more important, because Shabbat will last forever.
You must meet a lot of aspiring Jewish athletes. Tell us about them.
Most recently I had an opportunity to speak with Dmitriy Salita, a Jewish champion boxer who doesn’t fight on Shabbat and I was very happy to hear that he saw everything that was going with me in the papers with Maryland and everything [Editor's note: Goodman refused to play for the University of Maryland's basketball team, as games took place on Friday night and Saturday, during Shabbat] and as a Jew it helped inspire him. On all levels, from elementary school kids, to professional boxers, to collegiate athletes I’ve been getting a lot of feedback and I hope my life story can help inspire them in one way or another.
How does it feel to be both an athlete as well as representative of the Jewish Community?
I think that’s what ha’Shem created me for, [and] I think Judaism teaches us that it’s really all one thing; that our job as Jews is to take something physical and make it holy. It’s not like when we play basketball we’re “not Jewish”, or that we’re only Jewish when we’re in synagogue. The way that we play basketball, the way that we work, the way that we eat, everything we do, there’s a Jewish way to do it. I’m not a Rabbi or a Sage. Obviously we’ve all made mistakes, and will make mistakes, and continue to make mistakes, and continually grow, but I’ve tried to make that my mission- that basketball and Judaism can be one thing. I love Judaism, but I feel a special connection, a closeness, with Jewish athletes. We understand each other and the things we go through.
-Alef
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Learn more about Tamir
Learn more about Haifa Hoops for Kids
Learn more about Maccabi Haifa
Tailgate Shabbat
By Bennie Cohen
From the beginning of time, back when college football started, there has always been tailgating. People got together in the stadium parking lots and in front of their homes (if they were lucky enough to live close to a stadium). For the most part, college football is played on a Friday night or Saturday, AKA: Shabbos time. Being a fan of college football, tailgating, and Shabbat, I decided to combine three of my favorite things and came up with “Tailgate Shabbat.”
To me, Shabbat is all about community. Mine consists of a bunch of buddies (mostly Jewish) from college, who get together for home games to see our beloved USF Bulls. We grill, talk, and welcome all to our tailgate (very Jewtastic if you ask me). For games that fall on Friday nights, it is important to myself and others to make sure we have a challah, candles, and wine glass complete with wine. Our menu will consist of: chicken, ribs, onion dip, beer, shrimp, anything that Publix has on sale, really. There isn’t any rhyme or reason to what we put on our grill; it doesn’t even have to be kosher, although we always have kosher options available (Hebrew National is not one of them). If you truly want a different Shabbat experience try a Tailgate Shabbat. Why Not??
You don’t need to spend Shabbat in your home, at your Synagogue, or even with your grandma. Shabbat can be spent in front of your favorite stadium with the people you consider family. For me, that’s what Shabbat is all about: community, and welcoming people into your home – people who wouldn’t have a place to go otherwise. Same goes for tailgating. When you open your tent and grill, you open your heart.
For those of you interested, here’s my favorite tailgating burger recipe.
Veal and Lamb Burger
- ½ lb ground lamb
- ½ lb ground veal
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 clove chopped garlic (you can use dry garlic if you wish)
- ½ chopped Sweet Vadialia onion
Form into patties place on grill, DO NOT over cook.
Enjoy the goodness that is the veal and lamb burger.
Photo provided by Tedkerwin, licensed under Creative Commons
Matzah Ballers
By Bennie Cohen
The scene is set: January 20, 2010 the Sacramento Kings take on the home favorite, and Eastern Division leader, Atlanta Hawks. Phillips Area, located in downtown Atlanta, can hold roughly 60,000 people. Tonight, it sold a whopping 10,000 tickets. However, this was no ordinary game, a fact proven by the Israelis in the crowd. As I walked to the 200 level, where my friends and I had tickets, I was in shock- Not because of how many people weren’t there, but how many people were. It may not have been a packed house, but tonight, thousands of people had come out to see the Israeli Phenom; Omri Casspi, the first Israeli drafted in the first round of the NBA draft had come to town.
There were people wearing Maccabi Tel-Aviv jerseys, along with Sacramento Kings jerseys with “Casspi” in Hebrew. Israeli flag hung in various part of the arena. It was an amazing site. I have always been fascinated about the pride Israeli’s have for each other and this was no exception. The game started, but Omri wasn’t on the court. Then, a timeout! Omri jumped off the bench, takes off the sweats he had been practicing in before the game, and the crowd goes wild!
The people sitting next to us heard us cheer as Omri scored. We quickly explained to them that, yes, we were Hawks fans, but tonight were going for the player on the other team. The guy laughed, and tipped his Hawks hat said “I hear ya” and quickly followed up with a “shalom.” Â We all laughed and finished the game together.
With five minutes remaining in the game, those of us going to the “Meet and Greet” (put together by the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta ) set off to gate 113, to be taken onto the court to shoot a basket or two, and wait for Omri to come out. When we got there, we found a line of about 300 people waiting. Being one of the first people, I felt lucky. Passing time on the court I shot a few balls- the rust was definitely there: I airballed, followed it up with a rebound, and still missed the layup.
The crowd started to head to the seats under the basket, and waited patiently for the Israeli superstar. Finally, after about twenty minutes, Omri came out and was immediately swarmed! Everyone was trying to get a picture, a hug, and in my case, an autograph. Luckily I had my people help me out; I got my ball signed and was able to help get a picture of Omri and one of my friends before Omri was taken away so the “big shots” in Atlanta could get their time with the superstar. About fifteen minutes went by. People were shoving each other, and I couldn’t help but think “Am I at Machane Yehuda on Shabbos????” The security guards were getting irritated, but no one seemed to care- this was # 18 on paper (# 1 on our hearts) OMRI CASSPI! After about twenty minutes Omri left to head out on the road. The Kings had a game in Charlotte the next night.
The experience was amazing. I don’t really care about the Kings or the Hawks (I am a Miami Heat fan, myself) but for one night I was the biggest Omri Casspi fan in the South.  I consider myself lucky to have seen the first Israeli to play a meaningful roll in the NBA. Next time, who knows? Maybe a football game with an Israeli playing quarterback in the NFL! Imagine those autobles….
Bet My Life
By Aaron Lerman
As I stood watching Jon Markowitz run past me for the last time, grinning ear to ear, enroute to finishing Ironman Switzerland, I thought to myself, “Wow, he’s really gonna do this.” But Jon wasn’t just finishing that last lap back in July 2008 for himself; he was finishing this race in memory of his parents and for the people that would benefit from the funds raised through Bet My Life Charities, the charity he formed months earlier.
The goals of BMLC are simple: provide athletic education, training support, and anything else a budding athlete will need to complete a race of his/her choice, be it a casual 5k or an Ironman Triathlon, all while raising money for worthy causes.
On a daily basis I try to practice Tzedakah and acting as Vice-President of Bet My Life Charities challenged me to explore my own Jewish identity. What does it mean to be a “good” Jew? Surely, giving people a venue to get in shape, have fun, and train with other like-minded people is one step in that direction. Whenever I’m handling my duties with BMLC I have this warm and fuzzy feeling, knowing my time is donated for the greater good of humanity and knowing my help with our atheletes makes a real difference in their lives as well.
And personally, I too, have grown since that cool and misty day while watching Jon swim, bike, and run through Zurich. It got me motivated to train for my own triathlons and marathons and my participation in his charity has helped me bridge two important things in my life that have always remained separate: athletics and Tzedakah. What better than being able to combine them! I had wanted to get in shape and watching Jon and thousands of other racers got me thinking that if these people could train for a race, surely I could too!
BMLC has set up two sponsored recipients of funds raised: The Barbara L. Stone Foundation seeks to eradicate illiteracy and The Eric L. Markowitz Cancer Research Society Foundation awards stipends to families with loved ones undergoing experimental cancer treatments. Our sponsored athletes go that extra mile, not just training for the half-marathon, but raising awareness about those less fortunate. They also find a personalized coach, mentor, and friend in Jon.
The funds raised through BMLC go to real people and really make a difference, helping to support the concept of Tikkun Olam. I am proud of BMLC because we are determined to make a difference, and even though we are small now, we’re dreaming big! If you have any desire to get in shape and raise awareness about those less fortunate, check us out and email me or Jon personally – I cannot wait to work with you!
Visit us online at BetMyLife.org
Picture by infomatique licensed under Creative Commons
The Tennis Lesson
Scientists? Sure. Noble laureates? Easy. Writers, business men, film makers, and revolutionaries, those lists are long. But athletes? It’s tough, I know; Judaism and sports are not exactly in concert. Trying to find my identifications as a Jew I’ve been exploring this peculiarity of mine over the last three years by learning about the Torah and about Jewish traditions, culture, and history. I’ve even traveled to Israel twice, yet I learned just recently that over 7000 Jewish athletes gather every four years in Israel. The existence of the Maccabi Games, the “Jewish Olympics,” came as a complete surprise to me. I’m competitive, I like sports, so why have the rabbis kept this from me? I even have a sport I can play.
When I was 10 years old, it was decided for me that tennis was the sport I needed to pick up. Asking my mother and father why they decided to send me to tennis I only get vague non-answers:
“Hard to remember why we sent you there,” my father explains. “Maybe it was convenient, maybe we thought you were short and didn’t have a basketball future, maybe we thought we didn’t want your long nose broken in boxing and the few brain cells you have damaged.” He paused, “Hard to remember now.”
Typical protective Jewish parents.
I think back to the first day, when my father took me up the street, and up the hill to the bus station. We hopped on the bus which wound its way through town, to parts not clearly recognizable to me. Within 20 minutes we were there, walking off the bus and into a building made of heavy stone or cement. As we walked in, I remember thinking the building was a fortress and found it fascinating that a tennis court was set up inside. There was a wooden floor, and the ceilings were extremely high, with the windows above our heads covered in a rusty metal mesh. After a quick introduction my father left me with the instructions that I was to come home right after my tennis lesson.
I was left, deserted, with the instructor, and given a tennis racket. I had played table tennis many times and was part of a table tennis training group. Badminton was a family tradition played on all of our vacations as well as in front of our nine story residential building. But tennis was something completely new. The trainer was a middle-aged man with a mustache and socks rolled up over his calves. This being my first lesson, he pointed out the proper way to hold the racket and explained the point of the game: “the ball flies over the net to the other side of the court and the other person hits it back to you.”
The learning ended there. Practice consisted of people hitting balls back and forth, chasing the balls down and then doing it over and over. At one point, a ball came zooming at me with incredible speed. I hit it with the racket facing up, and watched the ball fly high up in the air, and into the window, its progression stopped only by the rusty protective metal. The impact made a loud CLING that reverberated through the high empty space. The game stopped. Everyone was looking at me.
The trainer decidedly took this interruption as an opportunity to teach and proceeded to yell at me for a few minutes about how “the ball should land on the other side of the court, that the game was played with the other opponent not with the window and why the hell was I aiming for the window in the first place if my goal was not to break it?” The lesson was over but my anguish was not soon forgotten, and I vowed not to be part of this dumb sport, with balls that have a mind of their own, flying wherever they want, and I’m the one who gets yelled at in the end.
In true family disposition I came home and said nothing to my parents. Next week, as it would be for many following weeks, it was time for another lesson. Either my mother or my father would take the bus down with me to the fortress of tennis. I would waive goodbye to my parents and walk into the building, only to immediately turn around and walk right out. I would spend the next hour walking the streets, kicking rocks, and sitting around. I would not hold the tennis racket in my hands ever again.
By end of the summer of that year, the Jewish Federation finalized our papers and the “Union,” which by now was quickly falling apart, allowed our family to make our exit to America. Our emigration put a stop to this farce and saved me from explaining why my tennis skills are what they are today. Had I know about the Maccabi Games I might have chosen to pursue tennis, to become like a Maccabee, a winner, successful in my pursuit of victory and showing courage in the face of adversity. Maybe not.
Anyway, the way I see it, if you want to get ahead in this world, you have to play golf.
Photo provided by StuSeeger, licensed under Creative Commons
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