French swimmer explains Hebrew tattoo as a family tribute

Published on August 2, 2012

French Olympic swimmer Fabien Gilot said the Hebrew tattoo on his left arm is a tribute to his late grandmother’s husband, a Jewish survivor of Auschwitz.

Aly Raisman, Jason Lezak shine for Team USA

Published on July 31, 2012

While both took to the podiums in London this week to receive a medal, 18-year-old Aly Raisman’s Olympic star was rising as 36-year-old swimmer Jason Lezak’s appeared to be setting.

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.

Love Looks Jewish to Me

By Ilana Angel
Published on May 15, 2012

Oh Carnival Cruise Line, how I wish you’d step up to the rest of them…

By Julia Bendis
Published on July 18, 2011

Israeli swimmers under heavy security at Dubai meet

Published on December 16, 2010

Israel's national swim team is competing under heavy security in a world competition in Dubai.

Maccabiah Results: Team USA Wins 82 Medals in the First Full Week of Competition

By JewishJournal.com
Published on July 21, 2009

Tel Aviv, Israel, July, 21 – Team USA has won 25 Gold, 26 Silver and 31 Bronze Medals in the first full week of competition at the 18th Maccabiah Games. Competition began on Sunday, July 12 and in addition to the medal count, both Jason Lezak and Andrea Murez broke Maccabiah Records in their first day of competition on July 19.

VideoJew’s VideoGuide to L.A.  #5—Jew vs. Wild

Published on November 3, 2008

VideoJew Jay Firestone goes native in this episode of VideoJew's VideoGuide to Los Angeles

Report from Beijing: Israeli Olympians visit Beijing school

By Alison Klayman
Published on August 19, 2008

The Shi Jia school put on events over the last two years to teach the students about Israel, how to say "Shalom," even had its students Skype with a school in Jerusalem. Of course, the school was following the progress of Israeli athletes along with China's.

Sunday wrapup from Beijing: U.S. swimmer Torres wins two silvers; Israelis lag

Published on August 17, 2008

U.S. swimmer Torres wins two silvers

Jason Lezak earns first individual medal

Published on August 14, 2008

American Jewish Olympic swimmer Jason Lezak followed up his relay heroics with a bronze medal in the 100-meter men's freestyle.

The sport of sleep deprivation

By Mrs. Shoshana F
Published on August 14, 2008

Report from Beijing: Swapping old Jewish swim records for new ones

By Alison Klayman
Published on August 11, 2008

In a strange Jewish sports irony, the gold for this half-Jewish team may come at a price to the legacy of iconic Jewish sports figure Mark Spitz

Israeli swimmer’s Olympic dreams marred by father’s death

By Roy Eitan
Published on August 7, 2008

Sadly, his father won't be there to see his son compete after an accident at the family's Netanya home claimed Costa Mendel's life.

Olympics 2008: Swimmers lead U.S. Jewish contingent

Published on July 31, 2008

The athletes who make up the U.S. Jewish contingent headed to China, a mix of veterans and newcomers, have a decent chance of winning a medal or two.

Soboroff heads effort for ‘Chai’ Maccabiah

By Tom Tugend
Published on June 18, 2008

L.A. teams are golden at Maccabi Games

By Carin Davis
Published on August 30, 2007

More than 60 athletes from Westside JCC's Team Westside and The New JCC at Milken's Team L.A. represented the greater Los Angeles area this month during the 25th annual Maccabi Games, scoring numerous gold, silver and bronze wins in such sports as baseball, basketball, swimming, soccer and table tennis.

Krayzelburg Keeps Swim Program From Taking a Dive

By Beverly Gray
Published on August 3, 2006

Just a year ago, the Lenny Krayzelburg Swim School, headed by the four-time Olympic gold medalist, opened with fanfare and big ambitions at the Westside Jewish Community Center (JCC), a once lively place that in recent years has been seeking to reinvent itself. Living up to the center's dreams, as of late July, Krayzelburg now has 896 students on his roster.

Dive Into Home Swim Lessons

By Galia Yardeni
Published on May 26, 2005

One of the biggest dangers for children during summer is drowning.

High Marks for Jewish Swimmers

By Tom Tugend
Published on March 31, 2005

"Watermarks" is a life-affirming documentary that celebrates the constancy of courage and grace, from youth to old age.

Its setting is the waltz-loving Austria of the 1920s and '30s, where the lithe young swimmers of the fabled Hakoah ("the strength") Vienna sports club are beating their "Aryan" rival clubs year after year.

Freestyler Judith Deutsch alone breaks 12 national records in 1935 and is the toast of the town, until she refuses to compete for Austria at Hitler's 1936 Olympic Games. As punishment, she is barred from competition for life and all her marks are erased from the official record books.

After the Reich's takeover of Austria in 1938, the swimmers scatter to Palestine, the United States and England, marry and establish professional careers.

Some 65 years later, Israeli director Yaron Zilberman decided to track down eight of the swimmers, now in their 80s, in their adopted countries.

Krayzelburg to Defend Record in Athens

By Tom Tugend
Published on July 22, 2004

Swimmer Lenny Krayzelburg will go to the Athens Olympic Games, thanks to placing second in his race during the U.S. qualifying trials, a feat greeted with greater acclaim and emotion than his three gold medals in Sydney four years ago.

Starting Over

By Peter Ephross
Published on September 14, 2000

Millions of immigrants have flocked to the United States looking for streets paved with gold. Lenny Krayzelburg, who came to Los Angeles from Odessa, Ukraine, in 1988 is searching for gold as well - but in a pool at Sydney's Olympic Games.

Israeli-Style Fitness

By Orit Arfa
Published on August 24, 2000

Maybe it's no Sports Club/LA in its luxury and beauty, but the Elite Sports Center at Tel Aviv University is one of the best sports clubs in Israel, with facilities and services that may make even the premier sports club in L.A. a little envious.

Swimming Star

By Jason Levin
Published on June 10, 1999

"My parents felt my sister and I would have more opportunity in America, that leaving Russia would give us a chance to follow our dreams," said the 6'2", 190-pound Lenny Krayzelburg, adding with a smile, "My dream since I was 5 or 6 was to win an Olympic gold medal."

A Conversation with Novelist Josh Henkin

Published on May 8, 1997

Josh Henkin will read from his new book, "Swimming Across the Hudson," Mon., May 12, 7 p.m. at Dutton's on San Vivente. Josh Henkin's paternal grandfather was an Orthodox rabbi who lived in the United States for 50 years without ever learning to speak English. Still, the author was able to forge a strong connection with the old man, the kind of bond that transcended language and linked Henkin to a people and a past.