This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on June 17, 2013

One Israeli Creation for the Weekend

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on June 14, 2013

One Israeli Creation for the Weekend

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on June 7, 2013

Soccer tourney brings Arabs, Jews together

Published on June 6, 2013

Despite the summer heat radiating off of the soccer field, dozens of former professional soccer players from all over the world — and of varying faiths — gathered to play a friendly “Soccer Peace Tournament” on June 2 at Calabasas High School.

Sports-related incidents spark slight rise in Dutch anti-Semitism

Published on May 23, 2013

The doubling of sports-related anti-Semitism last year led to the first increase in overall anti-Semitic incidents in three years in the Netherlands.

Maccabi Tel Aviv back on top but coach future uncertain

Published on May 21, 2013

Champions Maccabi Tel Aviv have reasserted their dominance of Israeli soccer but media reports on Tuesday suggested they might have to continue their revival without coach Oscar Garcia.

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on April 22, 2013

Leveling the Playing Field

By Michelle K. Wolf
Published on April 16, 2013

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on April 14, 2013

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on April 8, 2013

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on April 1, 2013

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on March 25, 2013

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on March 11, 2013

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on March 4, 2013

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on February 25, 2013

Homophobic Redemption in Pro Sports

By Beit T'shuvah
Published on February 21, 2013

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on January 28, 2013

Lance Armstrong and the disease of wild narcissism and ruthless ambition

By Rabbi David Wolpe
Published on January 24, 2013

Lance Armstrong proved surprisingly poor at backpedaling. His stone-faced, reluctant regret made many who watched the interview wonder if this was an illness. Why did this man mow down associates, besmirch employees, lie, cheat and bully his way to the top of a sport he is now insouciantly tearing down around him?

Dr. Matthew Lefferman and Eric Weissman: Putting Sunday sports in play

By Ryan E. Smith
Published on January 3, 2013

Nowhere in the Torah does it say: “And on the seventh day, God played soccer.” Which is too bad for observant Jewish youths who would love to take advantage of the many local sports leagues that play on Saturdays.

Frisbee — the ultimate peace negotiator

By Ryan Torok
Published on January 2, 2013

Who would have thought that a Frisbee could be used to build bridges between bitter enemies? Ultimate Peace, an organization founded in 2008 by American Ultimate Frisbee players, tries to do just that. By running a weeklong overnight summer camp in Israel and other activities throughout the year that are open to Jewish-Israeli, Arab-Israeli and Palestinian youth, it aims to improve relations between the groups, one flying disc at a time.

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on December 31, 2012

Adam Greenberg signs minor league deal with Baltimore Orioles

Published on December 24, 2012

Jewish player Adam Greenberg will resume his professional baseball career after signing a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles. Greenberg, 31, signed a minor-league contract with the Orioles and will work to get a spot on their Class AAA farm team in Norfolk, Va.

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on December 24, 2012

Adam Greenberg signs minor league contract with Orioles

By Jeffrey Hensiek
Published on December 20, 2012

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on November 26, 2012

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on November 11, 2012

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on October 8, 2012

All-star Jewish baseball team

Published on October 3, 2012

During Yom Kippur, many Jews fret over whether Jewish Major Leaguers will play on the holiest of holidays. This has become a growing problem, because the number of Jews playing Major League Baseball (MLB) has been increasing.

This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on October 1, 2012

Teshuvah and Penn State

Published on September 12, 2012

In our busy lives, there are lots of decisions to make. Although we know that quick judgments made without all the facts may be faulty, we do not have the time to dwell on each decision, and we learn to live with a kind of necessary impatience. Whether it is a route across town, what we want for lunch or the selection of a shirt to wear, we need to make our choices quickly and then get on with the day.

Israel and the world Pt. 19 - weekly news from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on September 10, 2012

L.A. Teens Win More Than 70 Medals at Maccabi Games

Published on September 5, 2012

Team Westside’s luggage was a little heavier on its return flight from the Maccabi Games in Houston last month. Athletes won a combined total of 18 medals in three sports at the annual competition, which took place Aug. 5-10.

Israel and the world Pt. 18 - weekly news from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on September 3, 2012

Art Shamsky to represent Israel baseball at Classic

Published on August 29, 2012

Former Major Leaguer Art Shamsky will serve as Israel's ambassador to the World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Jupiter, Fla.

From homelessness to the table tennis summit, Paralympian Tahl Leibovitz is London-bound

Published on August 21, 2012

Tahl Leibovitz spent much of his adolescence riding New York City’s subways – not for transportation or because of the trains’ allure.

Paraguayan Jewish soccer boss suspended for racial slurs against Arabs

Published on August 17, 2012

Paraguay's soccer association has suspended the Jewish president of a team for hurling racial slurs at a colleague of Arab descent.

Israeli soccer team under ‘severe threat’ in Hungary, coach says

Published on August 16, 2012

The Israeli national soccer team was warned of a "severe threat" to their safety in Budapest where they played a friendly match against Hungary on Wednesday, Israel's coach said.

The day after- an Olympics summary

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on August 14, 2012

Jewish glory, frustration mark London Games

Published on August 13, 2012

The London Olympics may have “lit up the world,” as organizing committee head Sebastian Coe put it, but for Jews the 2 1/2 weeks offered healthy doses of frustration and glory.

Israel and the world Pt. 16 - weekly news from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on August 13, 2012

Ankie Spitzer leads worldwide minute of silence for Munich 11

Published on August 13, 2012

Ankie Spitzer led a minute of silence to honor the Munich 11 that was streamed live around the world.

Israel’s rhythmic gymnastics team heads to Olympic finals

Published on August 10, 2012

Israel’s rhythmic gymnastics secured a spot in the finals at the London Games.

Russian basketball team, coached by Israeli-American David Blatt, reaches Olympic semis

Published on August 8, 2012

The Russian Olympic men's basketball team, coached by Israeli-American David Blatt, has advanced to the semifinals.

Aly Raisman loses bronze, Gabby Douglas wins gold

Published on August 2, 2012

Smiling 16-year-old Gabby Douglas took the Olympic Games by storm on Thursday when she won the all-around gold medal ahead of Russian Victoria Komova.

Women in sports: Not an Olympic-size victory

By Maya Paley
Published on July 31, 2012

Jason Lezak likely closes Olympics career with a silver medal

Published on July 31, 2012

Four-time gold medalist Jason Lezak, competing in what is likely his final Olympics, helped the American swim team qualify for the 4x100-meter freestyle relay finals.

Thoughts after watching the Olympics opening ceremony

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on July 31, 2012

Costas recalls Munich 11 during Olympic opening ceremony

Published on July 30, 2012

Sportscaster Bob Costas remembered the 11 Israelis killed in the 1972 Munich Olympics on air as the Israeli delegation entered the Olympic stadium in London.

Israel and the world Pt. 14 - Olympics Special

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on July 30, 2012

Founder of London Shomrim carries Olympic Torch

Published on July 25, 2012

The founder of London’s Shomrim patrol carried the Olympic torch in South London.

Report: Germany was warned a month before ‘72 Olympics attack

Published on July 23, 2012

Germany was warned about a possible terror attack against Israeli athletes one month before the Munich Olympics in 1972, Der Spiegel reported.

Israel’s Olympians heading to London thinking medals, remembering slain countrymen

Published on July 9, 2012

Israelis and their Summer Olympics athletes are eyeing the upcoming London Games with excitement and disappointment.

Israel and the world Pt. 11 - weekly news from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on July 8, 2012

The NBA’s next Israeli player? [VIDEO]

Published on July 2, 2012

National Basketball Association teams, fans and analysts seem to be in a constant search for the “next Michael Jordan,” looking for a player to duplicate the feats of the six-time champion and five-time Most Valuable Player many consider the best ever in his sport.

Italy’s Camila Giorgi falls in Wimbledon’s round of 16

Published on July 2, 2012

Camila Giorgi, an Italian Jewish player, lost in her upset bid to reach Wimbledon's quarterfinals.

Jeremy Hunt, Britain’s secretary for sports, will not call for a moment of silence at Olympics

Published on June 29, 2012

Great Britain’s secretary of state for culture, media and sport will not join the growing international campaign for a moment of silence at the upcoming London Summer Olympics for the 11 Israeli athletes murdered at the 1972 Munich Games.

German foreign minister joins call for Olympics tribute to Munich 11

Published on June 28, 2012

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has joined the effort to urge the International Olympic Committee to hold a moment of silence at the London Olympics for the Munich 11.

Nascent Israeli lacrosse team sticking out, surprisingly, in European tourney

Published on June 26, 2012

Israel’s national lacrosse team is clinging to a one-goal lead with 20 seconds remaining when the referee blows his whistle -- the Wales coach wants a stick check on an Israeli player.

America the Beautiful

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on June 21, 2012

Gino Bartali, Italian cycling legend, saved Jews during WWII [VIDEO]

By JewishJournal
Published on June 18, 2012

Gino Bartali is best known as a cycling legend who holds the record for the longest time span between victories at the Tour de France – ten years – a feat made all the more impressive by the Tour’s status as one of most grueling endurance competitions in the world and the fact that Bartali was an old man (by cycling standards) when he made his comeback in 1948. Looking beyond the marvel of his athletic stamina, Bartali’s life provides a powerful lesson in how moral endurance can empower from within.