Jewish Athletes

Josh Rosen of UCLA poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #10 overall by the Arizona Cardinals during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

April 28, 2018, 12:45 am

Josh Rosen picked 10th overall by Arizona Cardinals in NFL draft

UCLA quarterback becomes first Jewish first-round NFL pick since Harris Barton was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1989

By JTA

Alex Bregman’s manager expects the young slugger to get even better. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images/via JTA)

April 3, 2018, 4:07 am

Alex Bregman is Major League Baseball’s next Jewish star

A combination of commitment and kindness make the newcomer one to keep an eye on -- on and off the field

By Hillel Kuttler

In this August 2, 1936 photo, Adolf Hitler and Hermann Goering are seen watching events at the Olympics in Berlin. (AP)

March 10, 2018, 4:33 pm

How the Nazis’ token Jew turned the 1936 Berlin Olympics into a propaganda win

By bowing to Hitler's promise to include one Jewish athlete, new book shows, head of International Olympics Committee colluded in the Nazis' portrayal of a 'tolerant' Germany

By JP O’ Malley

David Levin in action while playing for the Toronto-based Don Mills Flyers in the 2014-15 season. (Courtesy)

February 15, 2018, 3:59 am

From the Land of Canaan to Canada, Israel’s first hockey star shoots for NHL

As a 10-year-old, David Levin set his sights on hockey's big leagues. Today, his once-unlikely goal could actually be realized

By Robert Sarner

Arielle Gold competes in run 3 of the women's snowboard halfpipe final event at the Phoenix Park during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games on February 13, 2018. AFP/LOIC VENANCE)

February 13, 2018, 7:01 am

Jewish snowboarder snags bronze in Pyeongchang Games

After missing Sochi due to injury, Arielle Gold wins her first-ever Olympic medal at halfpipe competition dominated by teammate Chloe Kim

By TOI staff

Short track speed skater Vladislav Bykanov, lower left, leading the Israeli Olympic team at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, February 7, 2014. (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images/via JTA)

February 5, 2018, 4:24 am

Winter Olympics 2018: Five Jewish storylines to watch

Keep your eye on these athletes at the upcoming games in Pyeongchang, South Korea

By Gabe Friedman

Jewish Olympian and author of 'The Champion Mindset,' Joanna Zeiger. (Courtesy)

December 30, 2017, 3:23 am

This Jewish Sports Hall of Fame athlete wrote the book on thinking like a champ

Joanna Zeiger doesn't let her many injuries prevent her from competing in one of the world's toughest sports -- and she says this mental toughness can be achieved by anyone

By Rich Tenorio

Omri Casspi signs a basketball for a Golden State Warriors fan. (Courtesy Golden State Warriors;NBAE/Getty Images)

November 22, 2017, 3:05 am

As only Israeli in NBA, Omri Casspi tries to be ‘best ambassador’ he can

In conversation with The Times of Israel, the hulking Hebrew talks about country, team, and his growing family

By Jon Marks

Silver medalist Aly Raisman celebrates on the podium at the medal ceremony for the Women's Floor on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images via JTA)

November 10, 2017, 3:53 pm

Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman says US team doctor molested her

Dr. Larry Nassar, who worked as the women’s gymnastics national team doctor for decades, allegedly sexually abused dozens of athletes

By JTA

Gretel Bergmann (Margaret Lambert) competing in 1930s Germany (Bettmann, Courtesy of Olympic Channel)

November 8, 2017, 3:11 pm

How a talented German-Jewish high jumper’s dreams came crashing down in 1936

Documentary premiering November 9 on the Olympic Channel recounts when German medal contender Margaret Lambert was banned from competing because of her religion

By Renee Ghert-Zand

Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros celebrates after hitting the game-winning single during the tenth inning to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images via JTA)

October 30, 2017, 6:52 pm

Alex Bregman becomes first Jewish player to hit a World Series walk-off

Astros infielder drives in game-winning run in a back-and-forth thriller that gives Houston a 3-2 series lead over Dodgers

By Ron Kaplan

Milwaukee Bucks President Peter Feigin speaking at the opening of the team’s new training center in downtown Milwaukee as Mayor Tom Barrett, left, looks on. (Gary Dineen/Milwaukee Bucks/via JTA)

October 4, 2017, 6:52 am

How one NBA team’s president got his city to buck up

The Milwaukee Bucks' Peter Feigin is so high-energy, but low-maintenance that 'he might as well be the Fonz'

By Gabe Friedman

Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) stands by second as umpire Angel Hernandez, right, watches play during the second inning of the Tigers' baseball game against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP/Tony Gutierrez)

August 22, 2017, 11:59 am

Tiger Ian Kinsler gets big-league fine for ump trash talking

Jewish second baseman sets off protest by umpires, who say symbolically high $10,000 penalty not enough

By Yaakov Schwartz

Denis Shapovalov, of Canada, salutes the crowd after defeating Rafael Nadal, of Spain, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4) at the Rogers Cup tennis tournament Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)

August 14, 2017, 7:07 pm

Israeli-born tennis star wears a cross, but his mother considers him ‘Jewish’

Denis Shapovalov was first Israeli-born player to reach Canada's Rogers Cup semifinals since 2000, beating Nadal along the way

By Marvin Glassman

Adam Bisnowaty at a minicamp practice at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, May 25, 2017. (Evan Pinkus/via JTA)

August 6, 2017, 9:34 pm

New York Giants player shows Jewish pride on and off the field

Adam Bisnowaty is one of the NFL's only Jewish athletes -- and if his Hebrew tattoo doesn't tip you off, maybe the matzah in his locker will

By Gabe Friedman