The Sports Rabbi Show February 22, 2012

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Josh Halickman


Right click here to download The Sports Rabbi Show from February 22, 2012

Yogev Ohayon-Courtesy Maccabi Tel Aviv

To begin the show, Dov & I discussed the Israel Soccer League running down the scores and we talked about Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club’s victory over Rishon Le’Zion in the State Cup Final, their win over Hapoel Jerusalem and their upcoming Euroleague clash on Thursday evening against Zalgiris Kaunas.

I was honored to have Hadas Grinberg (7:05) of Channel 1, Sport 1 & Sport 2, Radio Lelo Hafsaka Sports רדיו ללא הפסקה & Yediot Achronot come on board to discuss not only her fabulous work on all of the mentioned media outlets, but we also discussed some of the big stories coming out of the Israeli Soccer League this season.

Hadas Grinberg

Hadas & I spoke about what it’s like to work the sidelines of a soccer match and the art of the interview focusing on a recent interview with former Beitar Jerusalem coach Yuval Naim in Yediot Achronot and Yaniv Katan of Maccabi Haifa on the field in Kiryat Eliezer after a match a couple of years ago on TV. So tune in to listen to one of Israel’s finest sports reporters around!

Hadas Grinberg Article about Yuval Naim in Yediot Achronot

Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Beitar Jerusalem-from Maccabi Tel Aviv Website

Jeremy Lin

Jon Scheiman (28:09) of True Hoops NY then joined The Sports Rabbi for an NBA update that focused again on guess who? Could it be any one other than Jeremy Lin! We also ran down the latest trade rumors and NBA All Star side shows, Slam Dunk Contest, 3 Point & Skills!

Iman Shumpert & Mark Zuckerberg

And you’ll have to check out his new blog “Create a Caption- Round 3″ to understand the picture above!

Mark Garrow (47:00) from ESPN, The Jayski Podcast, Jayski, and the Performance Racing Network-PRN graced The Sports Rabbi with his presence as we talked about the upcoming NASCAR Daytona 500 race this Sunday February 26th!

Mark Garrow

Mark & I looked at the Pole Sitter Carl Edwards, a man on a mission this season, the 150 Duals on Thursday and the chances of JJ Yeley and car #49 from America Israel Racing making it into the Big Race! We also discussed the importance of Israel to Mark and America!

Car #49 America Israel Racing

Make sure to join Mark on ESPN for a NASCAR Chat every Wednesday at 3pm EST/10pm Israel Time and Race Day mornings!

Gary Carter with The Sports Rabbi & Doc Ike!

Doc Ike (56:10) & I remembered Gary Carter, who passed away this past week after a bout with brain cancer. We reminisced about some of the great Gary Carter moments with The Montreal Expos and how important he was to the both of us as we were growing up.

The Montreal Canadiens honored Gary Carter before their game this past Sunday evening and Youppi! donned the original Expos uniform for this special occasion.

We ran down some of the great moments and games that we were both at, including game 1 of the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals and Wayne Gretzky’s last NHL game.

Trade deadline deals was the focus as we broke down the Canadiens trade of Hal Gill to the Nashville Predators for Blake Geoffrion, the grandson of former Canadiens great Boom Boom Geoffrion and great-grandson to another Canadiens great Howie Morenz. We also looked at the other potential moves before next weeks deadline.


Right click here to download The Sports Rabbi Show from February 22, 2012

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Pulpit Podcast: America Israel Racing!

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Josh Halickman


Right click here to download the Pulpit Podcast: America Israel Racing!

This past week I had the great honor and pleasure to welcome Rich Shirey of America Israel Racing a new NASCAR team who will be taking the message of “United We Stand” to the Daytona 500 this coming week in Florida!

America Israel Racing or AIR was formed to promote awareness of and support by Americans for Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East. They hope to educate Americans on the importance the United States’ relationship with Israel through exposure provided by one of the largest spectator sports in the world! With the support of like-minded individuals, AIR will spread its message of American Israeli support throughout the entire 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and beyond!

America Israel Racing Car #49

With Rich’s partner at AIR, Mark MacCaull along with Robinson-Blakeney Racing, Driver J.J. Yeley, and Crew Chief Tony Furr, America Israel Racing brings the Best of the Best to the greatest speedway in the world!

This in my opinion is one of the great Kiddush Hashem’s or Sanctification of G-d’s name that can be done. To be able to publicize solidarity between America, the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave, and Israel, the Land that G-d promised to the Jewish people, the Land of Milk & Honey, there can be no greater way to show the ties that bond these two great democracies and two great people.

As a long time NASCAR fan when I learned about America Israel Racing I went wild! Finally a real team to root for. Yes, I like to watch Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson with their sponsors race around the track, however, Dupont and Lowe’s just doesn’t mean the same as America & Israel.

Think about it. I team created by two fine individuals for the sole purpose of showing togetherness, Yachad as they say in Hebrew, United we Stand. Can it get any better than this?

America Israel Racing has some important hurdles to overcome there is no denying that. Firstly they will attempt to qualify for the Big race this Sunday February 19th. Then it’s on to the Gatorade Duels on Thursday February 23rd, and then if they qualify as there are only 43 spots in the Daytona 500 and 49 cars are attempting to make it in, they will make it to the race on Sunday February 26th! So it’s a ways to go.

The other issue is funding. The team has put together enough money to run the next race or two, but then after that it will be wait and see if the capital comes in. Obviously good performances during Speed Weeks at Daytona will be crucial in continuing the operation and their hope is that veteran driver JJ Yeley will be able to bring that car to a good finish and Victory Lane! It would be no sweeter than that.

Car #49 America Israel Racing

So if you live in Israel, are a supporter of Israel, or you live in America and support the great friendship between these two great nations, then America Israel Racing is for you!

Make sure to check out America Israel Racing on Facebook and Twitter and better yet next week at Daytona!


Right click here to download the Pulpit Podcast: America Israel Racing!

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The Sports Rabbi Show February 15, 2012

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Josh Halickman


Right click here to download The Sports Rabbi Show from February 15, 2012

As usual Dov joined me to discuss the Israeli Basketball scene breaking down the State Cup Semi-Finals this past Monday night where Maccabi Tel Aviv upended Hapoel Holon 91-70 and Maccabi Rishon Le’Zion defeated HaBikaa 78-71. Tel Aviv will face Rishon Le’Zion in the finals this Thursday night in a winner take all match up!

We also gave the rundown on Maccabi Tel Aviv’s big Euroleague victory last Thursday against Cantu of Italy and look forward to the next game in a week’s time versus Zalgiris Kaunas.

Then I had the great honor and pleasure to welcome Rich Shirey (5:50) of America Israel Racing a new NASCAR team who will be taking the message of “United We Stand” to the Daytona 500 this coming week in Florida!

America Israel Racing or AIR was formed to promote awareness of and support by Americans for Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East. They hope to educate Americans on the importance the United States’ relationship with Israel through exposure provided by one of the largest spectator sports in the world! With the support of like-minded individuals, AIR will spread its message of American Israeli support throughout the entire 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and beyond!

America Israel Racing Car #49

With Rich’s partner at AIR, Mark MacCaull along with Robinson-Blakeney Racing, Driver J.J. Yeley, and Crew Chief Tony Furr, America Israel Racing brings the Best of the Best to the greatest speedway in the world!

Car #49 America Israel Racing

Make sure to check out America Israel Racing on Facebook and Twitter and better yet next week at Daytona!

Jon Scheiman (21:50) of True Hoops NY then joined The Sports Rabbi for a conversation about Linsanity! Jeremy Lin who else and what more can be said of this Harvard graduate who has taken New York by storm! Jon’s new post Lin-vigorated runs down all you need to know about the new phenom!

Moran Roth (53:22) of Hapoel Holon of the Israel Basketball League joined me to talk about his great career in Israel, the championship he won with Holon back in 2008 against Maccabi Tel Aviv, the Israel National Team and the dreams of making it to pro basketball! Moran Roth is a class individual on a off of the court and this All-Star is averaging 8.3 assist per game, making everyone around him better, a true star!

Boaz Korpel (1:06:10) from Sport 5 then joined me as we took a look at the Formula 1 testing sessions that Boaz attended last week in Jerez, Spain! Boaz talked about all of the greats he was able to see on the track and speak with from Jackie Stewart, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Dario Franchitti to name a few! We also looked at Alon Day the up and coming Israeli driver from Ashdod who will be driving in the Indy Lights series this year.

Boaz Korpel is one of the finest people who wants to continue promoting motor racing in the Holy Land and around the world! So check him out on Facebook!

Doc Ike (1:35:26) came on board to talk NHL and Montreal Canadiens hockey. We also looked at the possibility of Rick Nash from the Columbus Blue Jackets being on the trade market as the deadline approaches at the end of the month.

To wrap up the show Dov (1:46:37) and I looked at the Israel Soccer League’s results from the weekend and discussed the Beitar Jerusalem’s firing of Yuval Naim and the hiring of Eli Cohen as coach to try and salvage the balance of the season.


Right click here to download The Sports Rabbi Show from February 15, 2012

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Pulpit Podcast: The Great Naftali Abramson!

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Josh Halickman


Right click here to download the Pulpit Podcast featuring Naftali Abramson

This week on the Pulpit Podcast, I had the honor & privilege to speak with Naftali Abramson, one of Israel’s great singer’s & musician’s!

Nafatali made Aliyah as a young child and grew up in Jerusalem where he only began his career at the age of 17! But even though with the late start he has catapulted to being one of the greats in Jewish music around the world.

Performing in places such as Australia, the US & Canada, plus all across Europe and Scandanavia, Nafatali has made a great impact on the Jewish world and delivers the important message of Israel to one and all! In Israel he not only gives concerts but performs at many simchas including weddings and bar mitzvahs.

Naftali has released 3 albums and wants to hear from all of you! So if you want to contact Naftali to book a performance or pick up a CD email him at naftaliabramsonmusic@gmail.com. If you want to check out some of his music go to Naftali’s My Space Page. You can also find Naftali on Facebook!

The podcast begins with Mitzva Gedola from Naftali’s first Album “Toda” and below is “Boe’e Chala” via YouTube!

So please take a listen to this wonderful interview with Naftali Abramson as “The Sports Rabbi” brings you the best from Israel and the Jewish World!


Right click here to download the Pulpit Podcast featuring Naftali Abramson

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The Sports Rabbi Show February 8, 2012

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Josh Halickman


Right click here to download The Sports Rabbi show from February 8, 2012

Dov & I reviewed the past week in Israeli Basketball running down the scores and last minute heroics!

Then Roey Gladstone (5:05) from Sport 5 joined me for an in depth look at Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball team looking at some of the struggles the team has had of late, from the lack of ball movement, a drop in assists and the general situation going into the crucial Euroleague match up against Bennet Cantu of Italy. Maccabi Tel Aviv must win by at least 9 points to offset their 8 point loss 82-74 last week versus the same Cantu in Italy.

Roey Gladstone who is the head of the Basketball Desk at Sport 5 also talked about Hapoel Jerusalem and their up and down season. You can follow Roey on twitter @RoeyGladstone so check him out!

Omar Sneed (29:51) joined me from Turkey to discuss his career which has spanned many countries and teams, including Israel where he played for Hapoel Jerusalem, Maccabi Rishon LeZion and Ironi Ashkelon. Omar also talks about his time in Iran and Russia as well as his longing for Jerusalem a potential return one day!

Jerry Trupiano (40:40) out of Boston and The Sports Hub 98.5FM joined me for a look at the Boston area teams. The Super Bowl was a main topic of discussion as the New England Patriots were defeated by the New York Giants 21-17 this past Sunday. We also talked about the reigning Stanley Cup Champions Boston Bruins and how they have added to their already solid fan base, and discussed the Boston Celtics and how they have become somewhat of a footnote because of the lockout.

And a conversation with Jerry would never be complete without mentioning the Boston Red Sox and what they have in store for MLB this coming season!

Jon Scheiman (60:50) from True Hoops NY joined The Sports Rabbi and gave us the lowdown about his trip to The Big Easy, New Orleans where he had the opportunity to not only see the Hornets take on the Phoenix Suns and Steve Nash, he had the opportunity to speak with one-on-one to the great one himself Steve Nash after putting up 30 points & 10 assists while breaking the Suns franchise record for assists formerly held by Kevin Johnson. So check that out!

Jon also covered the New Jersey Nets vs. Chicago Bulls and Derrick Rose this week and we talked about the injuries hitting the NBA and the emergence of Jeremy Lin as a potential top notch point guard for the New York Knicks!

Chris Nimbley (86:42) of Jets Insider graced the airwaves as we reviewed the Super Bowl, the bad taste left in New York Jets fans and what the Jets need to do next season in order for them to reach the big game.

Doc Ike joined The Sports Rabbi (103:26) for an NHL update as we discussed the Montreal Canadiens and the rest of the top stories from the NHL.

Dov & I (113:57) ended off the show reviewing the Israel Soccer League focusing on Beitar’s loss to Bnei Saknin this past Saturday night and their shoot out State Cup loss to Bnei Lod. These are unsettling times for Beitar and their fans as they continue to drop further and further.

So take a listen!


Right click here to download The Sports Rabbi show from February 8, 2012

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Pulpit Podcast: Rabbi Yehoshua Ellis talks about being a Rabbi in Katowice, Poland!

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Josh Halickman


Right click here to download the Pulpit Podcast featuring Rabbi Yehoshua Ellis from Katowice, Poland

This week on the Pulpit Podcast, I had the honor & privilege to speak with Rabbi Yehoshua Ellis who is the Chief Rabbi of Katowice, Poland.

Poland you ask? Yes! Rabbi Ellis and his wife Raissa are in Katowice to help with the Jews of the area, the youth and the “Hidden Jews”!

Not only is Rabbi Ellis a Rabbi, he is a Shochet, a ritual slaughterer as well for the town and surrounding areas.

Just a mere 40 minute drive away from the city of Oswiecim, the city on which the Auschwitz/Birkenau Death Camp lies, Katowice was once home to 10,000 Jews.

Two recent articles, one in Haaretz “U.S. Rabbi sent to Poland to revitalize Jewish Community” and the other at Ynetnews.com “Polish City of Katowice gets new rabbi” discuss in further detail the Rabbi’s work.

If you would like to be in contact directly with Rabbi Yehoshua Ellis please email him at jeellis@gmail.com, or contact him via Facebook, “Yehoshua Ellis” he will be more than happy to be in touch!

In this Pulpit Podcast, Rabbi Ellis talks about the challenges, his long standing relationship with Polish Jews and how he met his wife-a native of Poland, his background and his dreams and desires for the years to come.

So please take a listen of the first in a new series on Podcasts heard exclusively on “The Sports Rabbi” that will feature Israel and the Jewish World!


Right click here to download the Pulpit Podcast featuring Rabbi Yehoshua Ellis from Katowice, Poland

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The Sports Rabbi Show February 1, 2012

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Josh Halickman

The Sports Rabbi Show February 1, 2012


Right click here to download The Sports Rabbi show from February 1, 2012

Dov & I reviewed the past week in Israeli Soccer, analyzing the Beitar Jerusalem loss to Rishon LeZion 2-0 and reviewing the 1-1 draw between table leaders Kiryat Shemona and Maccabi Tel Aviv at Bloomfield stadium in Tel Aviv.

Then I & welcomed onto the show Dave Feldman from Fox 5 Sports in Washington DC! (7:07) A Decade or so ago, Dave worked at ESPN, anchoring Sportscenter and covering college basketball. Dave and I discussed the upcoming Super Bowl match up between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. We make our picks so tune in to see who we got this coming Sunday! We also talked about the Redskins, Capitals & Nationals looking at their prospects this season. Dave also reminisced about his trip to Israel! So don’t miss out on one of sports top news guys!

Doc Ike joined The Sports Rabbi (19:58) for an NHL update as we discussed the top story of the day which of course was the recent discovery that Sidney Crosby had a neck injury in addition to the concussion which may have played a factor in his rehab. Doc Ike looks ahead to the second half of the season as the Montreal Canadiens have 5 games in 8 days, so it’s make it or break it time!

Former Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball player Lay Z Gordon (30:15) joined The Sports Rabbi for a conversation about his basketball career from his youth all the way to playing in the Israeli League! Lay Z also talked about life after basketball as he is now a budding musician with an upcoming concert this February 18th in Tel Aviv!

At this concert he will be playing “Oh My Holy Land”, a song that will be used around the world by the Israel Tourism Ministry! So check out Lay Z Gordon for more information about the upcoming concert, his basketball career and his music at LayZGordon.com and CoachGordon.com ! You can also purchase tickets by going to this website http://www.tkts.co.il/default.asp

Jon Scheiman (46:58) from TrueHoopsNY.com (44:45) joined The Sports Rabbi for our weekly NBA review as we ranked on the New York Knicks, checked out Deron Williams from the New Jersey Nets and marveled over the LeBron James Big Dunk and Blake Griffin’s posterizing of one Kendrick Perkins!! Check out his site for these unbelievable Jams!

Also, this week, Jon posts exclusive footage of Kevin Durant’s pre game workout vs. the Nets from a week ago. Watch the detail of Durant’s moves in these great clips. There was a reason why The Sports Rabbi was wearing a Durant T-Shirt Last night!

Yoni Nir from Ironi “Eldan” Ashkelon (69:00) Basketball joined The Sports Rabbi to talk about his career in the Israeli basketball league, from his youth days with Maccabi Tel Aviv to playing as a rookie for Hapoel Jerusalem all the way to his current club. We discuss Ashkelon’s big victory 81-80 over Maccabi Haifa and Yoni’s thoughts of playing in Europe!

To wrap up the show Dov & I (76:05) take a look at the Israel Basketball League, breakdown Maccabi Tel Aviv’s shocking loss to Maccabi Ashdod 78-73 and what they have in store in Euroleague action this week against Bennet Cantu of Italy.

So take a listen!


Right click here to download The Sports Rabbi show from February 1, 2012

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The Sports Rabbi Show January 25, 2012

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Josh Halickman

The Sports Rabbi Show January 25, 2012


Right click here to download The Sports Rabbi show from January 25, 2012

Dov & I look take a quick look at the Beitar Jerusalem vs. Ashdod soccer match from Saturday night, before I welcome on in David “Dubi” Pick (4:08) who covers Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Israel Basketball League for Eurobasket.com & Makor Rishon Newspaper in Israel.

Dubi & I cover the upcoming HUGE Euroleague game between Maccabi & Barcelona and we look at the various matchups the teams present. Will Devin Smith try to lockdown former NBA star Juan Carlos Navarro? How will scoring machine Lior Eliyahu fare and what will be the reception for Ex-Maccabi player Chuck Eidson? We also talk about some of the interesting stories and players from the Israel League this year. From Joe Crawford to former Duke star Jon Scheyer to Hapoel Jerusalem we break down all the top news.

Jeremy Last of The Last Word joins The Sports Rabbi (27:11) to discuss Kiryat Shemona’s ascent to the top of the Israel Football (soccer) League. We talk about the parity in the league and touch on the Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Maccabi Haifa game from Monday evening.

Jon Scheiman from TrueHoopsNY.com (44:45) tells us all about his visit to the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Jersey Nets game this past week where he gets to interview the Thunder’s Royal Ivey for The Sports Rabbi Radio Network!

In Jon’s latest post Royal Background, he goes inside the Thunder locker room to speak with a terrific NBA role player with a high IQ in Royal Ivey which then becomes the topic of the day. High Basketball IQ, playing a system and coaching… when will Phil Jackson be behind the NY Knicks bench!

Doc Ike joined The Sports Rabbi (106:41) for an NHL update as we talk discussed the top two stories of the day, Alexander Ovechkin sitting out the All Star game after being suspended by the league for 3 games and Tim Thomas last year’s Stanley Cup winning goaltender for the Boston Bruins and his embarrassing decision to NOT join his Bruins teammates at the White House for a visit with President Barack Obama because of political reasons. Oy Vey!

AND Jay Cottrell of WBAL 1090AM in Baltimore, (121:47) the flagship station for the Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Orioles joins The Sports Rabbi to talk NFL Playoffs, NBA, college Basketball, Tamir Goodman and his new Tefillin and more. We debate whether Tom Coughlin of the New York Football Giants becomes a Hall of Fame coach if he defeats the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick for the second time in the Super Bowl! Take a listen to what we have to say! What do you think!

So take a listen!


Right click here to download The Sports Rabbi show from January 25, 2012

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TRUE HOOPS NY: Just Boshing With You

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Josh Halickman

With a title like Just Boshing With You , how could The Sports Rabbi not love Chris Bosh & Jon Scheiman’s latest True Hoops NY Blog!

Jon as usual goes inside the NBA to give us his expert analysis and commentary on some of the best the basketball world has to offer!

So enjoy!

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The Sports Rabbi Show January 11, 2012

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Josh Halickman

The Sports Rabbi Show January 11, 2012

Dov & I look at the Israel Soccer League as we break down all the action from this past weekend and we look forward to the next week?

Doc Ike joined The Sports Rabbi for an NHL as we talk about the passing of Ron Caron former Assistant GM of the Montreal Canadiens and former GM of the St. Louis Blues. We also discuss the Canadiens, Rangers, Bruins and potential playoff teams!

Chris Nimbley of www.JetsInsider.com came on board and talked about the NFL playoffs as we take a good hard look at who will take the match ups this coming weekend!

And Josh Jurnovoy of WRUF Sports Radio 850 Florida discussed Alabama’s big BCS National Championship victory over LSU!

So take a listen!


Click here to download The Sports Rabbi show from January 11, 2012

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