Jewish Athletes

The 1983 Canadian national junior hockey team that competed in the world championship in then-Leningrad. Sherwood Bassin is seated front row center, to the right of the goalie. (Courtesy/Hockey Canada)

September 8, 2019, 3:36 am

The Cold War caper that saw future hockey stars sneak prayer books to USSR Jews

Sherry Bassin says that he was ‘just doing what’s right’ when he convinced Canada’s junior hockey players to hide religious items among their gear for the 1983 championship

By Robert Sarner

Shawn Green, playing for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998, was one of three outfielders named to an all-time Jewish baseball team. (Jonathan Kirn/Allsport/Getty Images via JTA)

September 6, 2019, 3:45 pm

The all-time Jewish baseball team roster?

Beit Hatfusot museum sets out its dream list of top hitters, pitchers and managers as it marks screening of documentary about Israel’s 2017 World Baseball Classic run

By JTA

Greg Joseph celebrates after the Cleveland Browns defeated the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, October 7, 2018. (Jason Miller/Getty Images via JTA)

September 2, 2019, 7:57 am

Cleveland Browns cut Jewish placekicker Greg Joseph

Joseph released from team on waivers after losing kicking competition to rookie, may still be picked up by another NFL team

By JTA

Agnes Keleti performs a split in front of Hungarian young gymnasts Budapest on January 16, 2016. (Peter Kohalmi/AFP/Getty Images/via JTA)

August 9, 2019, 1:00 pm

At 98, Olympic gymnast and Holocaust survivor Agnes Keleti is feisty as ever

The most decorated female Jewish Olympian of all time and Hungary’s most accomplished living athlete’s secret to success: ‘Being nice and motherly doesn’t do it’

By Cnaan Liphshiz

Hungarian architect and Olympic champion Alfred Hajos, 72, dives into the Margaret Island Pool, Budapest, which he designed and for which he won a golden diploma (AP Photo)

July 30, 2019, 3:54 pm

Jewish athletes competing in Hungary honor 1st Jewish Olympic champion

Alfred Hajos won two gold medals in swimming at the 1896 games in Athens, the first modern edition of the sporting contest; went on to become an architect

By JTA

Tennis champion Angela Buxton (Howard Blas/The Times of Israel)

July 13, 2019, 7:37 pm

Wimbledon champ says anti-Semitism led top UK club to snub her for decades

British Jew Angela Buxton has yet to be accepted into tennis’s All England Club, 63 years since applying, shortly after historic victory at Wimbledon

By TOI staff

The Israel delegation at the Pan-American Maccabi Games (YouTube screenshot)

July 12, 2019, 9:35 am

Largest Jewish sporting event of the Americas being held in Mexico

The 14th edition of the Pan-American Maccabi Games features 3,800 athletes from 19 countries competing in 24 sports

By JTA

Tamara Statman thinks the team has a good chance of making the Olympics. (Courtesy of the Israeli Softball Association/via JTA)

July 5, 2019, 5:47 am

Israeli softball is building a women’s ‘dream team’ for the 2020 Olympics

Thirteen US Jewish college students and recent graduates arrived in Israel at the beginning of the month to train for the European Championships in the Czech Republic

By Marcy Oster

Jewish pro soccer player David Schipper playing for New Zealand's Southland United football club. (Courtesy/Monica Toretto)

July 2, 2019, 6:47 pm

This Jewish soccer pro plays in a New Zealand winter league down under

American David Schipper is the first Jew most people in town have met — but the inviting atmosphere and chance to challenge the world’s best players are well worth the long move

By David Sedley

Baseball player Ryan Braun. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images/via JTA)

June 12, 2019, 2:36 pm

Ryan Braun breaks Hank Greenberg’s record for most home runs by Jewish player

35-year-old Milwaukee Brewers outfielder hit 332nd career homer in game against Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday

By JTA and TOI staff

New England Patriots' Julian Edelman (#11) holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Feb.ruary 3, 2019, in Atlanta. The Patriots won 13-3. Edelman was named the Most Valuable Player. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

May 12, 2019, 10:40 pm

Julian Edelman graduates from college, 10 years after leaving Kent State

Jewish 2019 Super Bowl MVP completes integrated studies bachelor’s degree, which he says fulfills promise to his parents and will set example for his daughter

By Marcy Oster

February 4, 2019, 6:14 am

Patriots’ Julian Edelman becomes first-ever Jewish player to win Super Bowl MVP

Edelman has 10 receptions for 141 yards as he helps New England Patriots win a low-scoring final in Atlanta after he was forced to sit out last year’s game with an injury

By Agencies

Michal Spalter, in the last half-mile stretch of the Head of the Charles Regatta, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on a cold, blustery day that made for harsh rowing conditions, October 21, 2018. (Kate Mouligne/courtesy RESOLUTE Racing)

November 9, 2018, 11:42 pm

Holocaust heroes’ grandson helps Israeli rower compete in prestigious US race

Michal Spalter tops her best time as she paddles through rough waters at the Head of the Charles Regatta in front of 300,000 spectators in Cambridge, Massachusetts

By Penny Schwartz

Boston Red Sox's Ian Kinsler bats in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Sunday, September 23, 2018, in Cleveland (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)

October 20, 2018, 1:54 pm

Ian Kinsler and Red Sox advance to World Series, Bregman’s Astros out

This will be the player’s third World Series appearance, his first for the Sox

By JTA

October 20, 2018, 9:48 am

Greg Joseph’s long journey from Jewish day school to the NFL

New Cleveland Browns kicker, whose faith has guided him throughout his life and career, says he aims to get better every day and have fun while doing it

By Ed Carroll