Belonging in America: The Importance of Basketball in American Jewish History

BELONGING, BUILDING, BECOMING: Jews and Sport in the 20th Century

A three-part series that explores how sport helped Jews shape their destinies in the U.S., in World War II, and in the land that would become Israel. Curated by the Adult Education Committee in collaboration with veteran sport and society journalist Ken Shulman, Building, Belonging, Becoming features stories about American Jews in Basketball and Baseball, about the historical origins of the Munich Massacre, and about the 1977 triumph of an Israeli basketball team over its Russian [nemesis] that put Israel “on the map”.  Ken Shulman will introduce and moderate all three programs.

As Jews immigrated to America in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, sport provided a means to assimilate into their new country.  Rabbi Jason Cook will lead an interactive session on November 16^th focusing on why Jews have been drawn to basketball and the sport’s importance in shaping the identity of Jews as Americans and Israelis.  A historical version, through the lens of baseball, of the role sports has played for American Jews is told in Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story (narrated by Dustin Hoffman) which will be streamed the weekend ahead of Rabbi Jason’s session. Click HERE for more info on that program.

All are welcome.

Click HERE to join by Zoom