December 22, 2011 | 8:04 am

Players on the Move

Posted by Jeremy Fine

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Some Jews on the move:

Craig Breslow has been traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Breslow has been a solid middle reliever for the As and this will truly give the D-Backs a bullpen boost. Vists this link to lean more HERE

It looks like Jason Marquis might be headed to the Twins. It is a solid move for the Twinkies who could use a middle of the rotation arm with experience. Click HERE to read more.

For more check out TheGreatRabbino.com

December 12, 2011 | 9:55 am

Have You Been Tebowed Lately?

Posted by Jeremy Fine

While it would be easy to ignore the craze, Tim Tebow-mania is everywhere. As I like to say, he is the “best, worst player I have ever seen.” While he throws a horrible deep ball, he misses receivers like no one else ever has, and his reckless style will eventually get him hurt, the kid is a winner. Tebow wins. And last time I check winning is what pro football is all about.

Clearly Tebow is not Jewish, in fact he is a firm believer in Christianity. But what Tebow has done has brought religion, prayer, and deep faith onto the 50 yard line. Do his prayers help the Broncos win? Is God watching down on them and protecting Tebow and his teammates? I am not sure, but it certainly hasn’t hurt. If anything, it seems to have centered Tebow and kept him focus. No one has been more watched and scrutinized. Yet, Tebow remained confident and poised. He remained centered. His faith was a big part of that.

If God and religion certainly have a place on the field, Tebow has used it to help himself. Now he has a football and religious following. Tebow has helped draw attention to faith and hopefully to a better world (even the football world). A world with less players that stomp on people’s heads and instead play with a healthy competitive edge. He has helped players find an outward connection to their faith. And maybe, just maybe, this will rub off on the Jewish athletes.

While I hate what he did to the Bears this weekend and while I think there are so many problems with his game, he wins, he is fun to watch, and ultimately he is a role model. So yes I have been Tebowed and I am on board to watch the Broncos play and pray their way into the playoffs.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
- Jeremy Fine
www.TheGreatRabbino.com

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December 7, 2011 | 5:06 pm

Recent Headlines

Posted by Jeremy Fine

TheGreatRabbino.com

Amare Wants to Open Up a Hebrew School

Knicks Targeting Former Maccabi Star Parker


Kraft Interested in Casino

Farmar Highlight Video from Israel

Jewish Baseball Year in Review

www.TheGreatRabbino.com

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December 5, 2011 | 5:00 pm

Interview: Japan Wrestling, Hamburger Eating, Jewish Blogger - Brad Garoon

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Last year I sat across the table from this guy and we got to talking. Turns out we both appreciate wrestling and Jewish education. Not to mention we run blogs. Below is an interview with wrestling blogger Brad Garoon. Check out his site and of course Dragon Gate wrestling.

My name is Brad Garoon. I run Open the Garoon Gate which you can find at http://bgsays.wordpress.com/. It’s the most comprehensive Dragon Gate and Dragon Gate USA blog there is. I also record English commentary on Dragon Gate’s Japanese PPVs, which can be found at IVPvideos.com. You can also hear me talk about Dragon Gate on the Cool Kids’ Table podcast on PWPonderings.com. I also have my MA in Jewish Education, but that’s besides the point.

When I was in college I lived with independent wrestler Jimmy Jacobs and got a gig writing Ring of Honor DVD reviews for 411mania.com. I ran an indy wrestling website and podcast called The Cool Kids’ Table for a while. After a while my wrestling interests became pretty solely focused on Dragon Gate, so I started Open the Garoon Gate as a place where I could keep all my Dragon Gate stuff archived.

My blog is the link to everything you need to know about the history of Dragon Gate. I’ve reviewed every single Dragon Gate show ever, so for those who have trouble watching shows in Japanese because they don’t know what’s happening, it’s a good companion piece. Recently I’ve started recording English commentary over Dragon Gate’s Japanese PPVs, making them more accessible to American fans. There is Dragon Gate USA coverage on there too, giving you more information about shows featuring Dragon Gate wrestlers that you can see live in the United States.

My favorite Dragon Gate wrestlers are CIMA, Shingo Takagi, YAMATO, Akira Tozawa and Masaaki Mochizuki. Those guys make Rey Mysterio and look like the big show. The things they can do in the ring really have to be seen to be believed. There’s also a fella named Cyber Kong there who has a gimmick similar to Kane’s, but wrestles a lot more like Brock Lesnar. All are well worth checking out. You can easily see a lot of their matches by going to dgusa.tv and buying some of their DVDs.

My favorite wrestler ever is probably Randy Savage, but I’ve always been a massive fan of Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, Ric Flair and although I’m always embarrassed to admit it, Sid. My favorite non-Dragon Gate wrestler today is Daniel Bryan. As a matter of fact, when he got fired from WWE for that whole necktie nonsense he did a short run through Dragon Gate USA and had one of the best matches of the last few years against Shingo Takagi there.

Asking me the best match I’ve ever seen is like asking me to pic amongst my children. But I’ve watched Flair vs. Savage from WrestleMania VIII dozens of times and it never gets old. I also love Austin vs. HHH from No Way Out 2001 and Austin vs. Rock from WrestleMania X-7. I think those are the two best modern matches, and it kind of blows my mind that they happened over a decade ago.

Since Yokozuna isn’t on that list I’m going with Randy Savage. You’re not a real wrestling fan unless you know to what I’m referring.

I used professional wrestling as an example of suspension of disbelief a lot throughout graduate school and while teaching Hebrew school. I think the logical leaps we take with wrestling in order to feel entertained and overjoyed by it are similar to those we take as spiritual seekers.

Thanks to Brad for the time. We will keep an eye out for more Dragon Gate news.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
- Jeremy Fine
THEGREATRABBINO.COM

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November 30, 2011 | 10:01 pm

Top Jewish NBA Stories of 2012 (and a little of 2011)

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Oh, how I missed you. I missed your dunks and dishes. I missed your poise and effort. I missed your improving skills and fearless leadership. I missed you Derrick Rose.

Anyone else as excited for the NBA? Well, its time to count down the Top 10 Jewish NBA Stories of 2012 (and a little of 2011).

10) Maccabi’s Influence in the NBA

Now that Maccabi Tel Aviv is a powerhouse in Europe, will that mean more NBA players coming over from Israel. Regardless, if they are Jewish or not Israel has had an impact on the NBA and helped develop many players.

9) Lebron and Kobe at JCCs

I am not sure if this means anything for the Jewish people or for Jewish basketball, but maybe just maybe Lebron and Kobe bring more attention to the game. Maybe JCCs can becoming practice facilities for the NBA?

8) Will the People Follow Omri to Cleveland

With Omri Casspi being traded to Cleveland, will he see the same response and following from the Cleveland fans? Will Israeli flags be out at each game? Will he been seen eating at the Kosher Subway?

7) Arison and the Heat Need More

Lebron, Wade, and Bosh. Is there anyone else on that team. Arison will need to buy some more bodies to help the Big 3 help.

6) Amare Judaism

According to Jewish law Amare is not Jewish, but he has brought just as much attention to Judaism through basketball than maybe anyone else. What will his next step be? Will he open Jewish schools? Play with a kippah on? Not sure, but excited to see more.

5) Cuban to Assemble Repeat

The Mavs were great down the stretch and didn’t even have Caron Butler. If Butler returns or if the Mavs make more deals, can they repeat? My vote is anyone but the Heat.

4) Frank Back on the Saddle

The Pistons have been down and out. Enter Lawrence Frank. Will that make a difference? Will they sign Tayshun Prince or start anew? Regardless, good luck to Frank its going to be an uphill battle.

3) Farmar’s Success

Now that Farmar got to go over to Israel and show he can lead a team in all ways (scoring and passing) at a high level, will the Nets give him a chance? Can he get in with Deron Williams in the way? Farmar certainly has something to prove and some new found confidence to help him out.

2) Casspi’s New Challenge

Casspi had a solid Rookie season, but faded last year. Some believe he was in Paul Westpaul’s doghouse. Will a new scenery mean more minutes and opportunities. With the Cavs hoping to run with Kyrie Irving, this should benefit Casspi.

1) Stern Post Lockout

I think the most interesting story is what David Stern’s role and image will be post lockout. How will he handle the new situation? What trouble will brew from a shorten season? Will the deal hold up?

Mark your calendars for December 25th, not because of Hanukkah or Christmas, because finally the NBA can restart. Who else is excited for a DRose crossover?

“I wanna go higher.” - Stacey King

And Let Us Say…Amen.
- Jeremy Fine
www.TheGreatRabbino.com

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November 27, 2011 | 12:15 pm

Farmar and Casspi to Return to States

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Now that the NBA lockout is over (so excited to watch DRose), it looks like Maccabi Tel Aviv will be without Jordan Farmar and Omri Casspi.

Casspi will return to the Cleveland Cavs, but will be recovering from a knee injury. To read more click HERE.

Jordan Farmar, who had been leading red hot TA, will return to the states. In his last game he dished out 13 assists and added 11 points. To read more click HERE.

Certainly Maccabi will miss them both and looked to be a powerhouse in Europe, but NBA fans should be ready. Also, we might finally get to see Jon Scheyer receive some minutes.

And Let Us Say…Amen.
- Jeremy Fine
www.TheGreatRabbin.com

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November 27, 2011 | 12:12 pm

Braun Named MVP

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Mazel Tov to Ryan Braun on becoming the NL MVP. First Jewish blooded MVP (hitter) since Hank Greenberg. Well deserved. For more read HERE.

www.TheGreatRabbino.com

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November 21, 2011 | 7:00 pm

Forget Salita and Foreman: Meet Carolina Raquel Duer

Posted by Jeremy Fine

Carolina Raquel Duer has been making headlines. The Jewish Argentinian female boxer is World Boxing Organization’s super flyweight champion. 

www.TheGreatRabbino.com

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