During the 2009 American Classic, Raisman (age 15) placed first in the vault competition and tenth all-around. From there on out, Raisman has only got better. At the 2009 U.S. Junior National Gymnastics Championships, Raisman place third overall. Later that year, Raisman again placed third overall at the Junior Pan American Championships in Brazil.

The year 2010 saw more impressive performances by the young gymnast. In March 2010, the US gymnastics team took first at the City of Jesolo Championships. Raisman placed first all-around in her individual competition. At the 2010 National Championships, Raisman won the bronze medal. All throughout the year, Raisman was especially strong in her vault routine. Her specialty is the Double Twisting Yurchenko. She placed first in many vault competitions.

Two thousand eleven was a huge year for Raisman. She continued to win silver and bronze medals in the all-around competition. At the World Championship in Tokyo, the US team won the gold and Raisman took fourth place all-around. She was on track to do better than this, but she faltered during her routine on the uneven bars. Although she finished strong, it was not enough to help her place in the top three.

Raisman has been doing her senior year of high school online so that she will have more time to prepare for the Olympics. We are optimistic about Raisman’s performance in London later this year. She has several years left in her promising career. In fact, Alexandra Raisman recently went professional when she signed up with the Octagon Sports agency.

The story of Sidney Franklin is being further commemorated in an exhibit that opened on January 15, at the Beit Hatfutsot museum in Tel Aviv. The exhibit is called “The Game of Their Lives” and highlights nineteen incredible Jewish athletes between the 18th century and 1948, when modern-day Israel became a country.

One of the purposes of this exhibit is to dispel the stereotype that Jews are too weak and inept to perform successfully in their respective arenas. Although this stereotype is outdated, it is still perpetuated today. It has affected many great Jewish athletes, including Sidney Franklin. Despite the fact that Sidney Franklin was one of the best bullfighters of all time, he is unknown by many people today. He did not fit the stereotype and so people did not know how to accept and process his fame and success.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.” Although this is not the exact philosophy behind “The Game of Their Lives”, it does drive home a powerful point: the best way to unravel stereotypes and myths is to learn the truth. There could be dozens of inspirational, unknown Jewish athletes–like Sidney Franklin–whose remarkable stories are still waiting to be told.

At just seven years old, Amalya Knapp has already felt the sting of keeping a different holy day.

Amalya is a gymnast, as well as an Orthodox Jew, that was trying to compete in the New Jersey state competition. When the competition was held on Saturday, Amalya was devastated to find that she wouldn’t be able to perform.

This year’s USA Gymnastics competition was held on two days, Saturday and Sunday. Since the Knapps observe a strict Sabbath, they knew that Amalya would not be able to go to any of the competition held on Saturday.

Despite her ability, Amalya was only able to score in the events that were held on Sunday which meant that her scores were not comprehensive enough to make the final ceremonies. However, she scored well enough that she was able to make fifth place, and was honored on paper, if not in the ceremony.

Her mother, Chavie, said their family was not bitter that they had to forego some competitions due to their religious observance of the Sabbath, but she knew it meant a lot to Amalya to compete.

The Knapp family’s struggle with compliance has aroused much debate and has even spurred Assemblyman Gary Schaer to join the cause for the young gymnast.

Although it might seem like Amalya is the victim of religious intolerance, this could just be evidence that there is more and more apathy toward religion.

Rather than open oppression, the Knapps feel as though they, and their religion, are being squeezed out of an increasingly secular world.

Especially in the world of athletics, there seems to be less and less room for religion, no matter which one you subscribe to.

Thanks to this 7 year old New Jersey native, we can all see how indifferent toward religion the world of athletics has become.

In fact, Elisha Levy’s team is now merely one win away from wrapping up the Premier League Championship.

Haifa received a big boost earlier in the day, when Reuven Atar’s youngsters on Maccabi Netanya scored a late goal to draw defending champion Hapoel Tel Aviv 2-2.

This was followed by two lightning quick goals to take the lead in the second half thanks to a superb effort from striker Toto Tamuz.

Unfortunately, Hapoel’s Swiss cheese defense let the team down.

Nevertheless, the team nursing a 2-1 advantage, Netanya forward Sergiy Tretyak received a pass off of a free kick while he was unmolested in front of the Hapoel net.

Tretyak took this opportunity to blast a drive past a helpless Vincent Enyeama to even the score and to quiet the stunned Hapoel crowd at Bloomfield.

Now, Netanya will have a chance to spoil the chance of Hapoel’s rival for the Premier League championship. If Atar’s club draws or defeats Maccabi Haifa, it would grant Hapoel Tel Aviv another shot at closing the gap and a chance at mounting a comeback to take first place.

But a Haifa victory would bring the league title back up north, a satisfying result for a fan base whose heart was broken last season when the team lost the championship by virtue of Hapoel Tel Aviv’s last minute goal to top Beitar Jerusalem.

“We started the match very well,” Hapoel Tel Aviv coach Eli Guttman said. “We applied pressure and we played against a good team that has proved its worth this season. We just couldn’t score goals, but we came with the same determination to start the second half. We let in [the second goal] because of a lack of communication between the defenders.”

So if you’re sick of hearing about conflict in the Middle East that has to do with borders and regulations, stay tuned for the conflict between Covenant soccer teams.

Tal was born in Trenton, New Jersey on August 30, 1943 to parents who had emigrated from Eastern Europe and spent a few years in what was then Palestine on their way over to the United States. His father worked as an engineer on the construction of the Rothenberg electric station, and his grandfather helped build the country’s first airfield in Herzliya.

Brody’s basketball career started when he was eight at the Jewish Community Center, and then moved up to Trenton Central High School. Not only did he lead his team to an undefeated season, but Tal was also the first selected for the Newark All-State Team in his senior year. His yearbook actually quoted Tal saying that he either wanted to be a professional basketball player or an FBI agent.

Tal excelled on the basketball court at University of Illinois, but he was also successful socially and was a prominent member of Zeba Beta Tau, the Jewish fraternity. But it wasn’t until he played in the 1965 Maccabiah Games that he became truly in touch with his Jewish roots.

After leading the American team to a gold medal, the Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team approached Tal and urged him to play for the Israeli team. Although he had just been drafted to play for the Baltimore Bullets, Israel’s culture and thriving hub had enthralled him enough to stay and play for the Maccabis.

Tal brought the Israeli team a serious attitude and inspirational commitment, inculcating his teammates with his view of basketball as a way of life. Not only did the team hold double as many practices, but the team started making it through enough rounds that they made it to the European Cup Championships and finished second in the league.

The pinnacle of Tal’s career was during the apex of the Cold War and the Soviet Union was boycotting Israel. When the Israeli’s team came up against the Red Army’s team, it was clear that a team of vigorously trained communists clearly had the upper hand. But when Maccabi upset the heavily favored Soviets, it was not only a change for the basketball team, but a chance for Israel to say they are worthy to compete—in every sphere.

Career Highlights:
Appell an all-around athlete in high school, lettering in football, soccer, and baseball for Hewlett high. In fact more then one MLS scout paid close attention to the youngster but he preferred to concentrate on football and baseball. In 1999, Josh helped Hewlett to the Nassau County title with his sterling punting ability. He also made all-division, all-conference and all-county as a high school pitcher for four straight years. Josh won the same honor twice for soccer.

Appell then enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania and played his first full season for U of P in 2002. His skills as a punter did not go unnoticed, as Josh was named team rookie of the year. He punted for 1,933 yards in 51 attempts for the season. He won the Football Gazette Special Teams Player of the Week after one of his best performances, an eight-punt, 289-yard gem in a game against Princeton. The Quakers endedthe 2002 season with a record of 9-1.

Joshua Appell is exactly the kind of athlete I need to help me transition smoothly from baseball to football.

Born Isaac Benjamin Davis in 1987, Ike is the son of Baptist pitcher Ron Davis and Jewish mother Millie Gollinger. Millie has made sure that Ike is well aware and proud of his Jewish heritage by reminding him the hardships his family has had to endure and thrived because of them. Millie’s family was from Lithuania and, like so many others, a large percentage of it was killed in the Holocaust. Ike’s great aunt was a Holocaust survivor and Ike has said that he is so grateful that she was able to come to the United States and bring her story with her. Although he goes by Ike, he is very proud of the name Isaac and his Jewish heritage, saying that “I’m glad Jewish kids get to see that they can grow up to be professional baseball players.” When told that Shawn Green, a Jewish player for the Mets who came before Ike, used to receive marriage proposals from Jewish mothers, on behalf of their daughters, Ike laughed nervously and said: “I hope that doesn’t happen. I’m not ready for marriage.”

Being so young—just barely 24—Ike shows great potential in his baseball career. In 2009 he received the Mets Organizational Player of the year, and in 2010 he broke the Mets rookie total bases record with 230. He also tied the record for the Mets rookie extra-base hits with fifty three in the year 2010. And to top 2010 off, he tied the Mets rookie walks record with 72. Having only played two seasons in the league, we can only expect more and more from Ike Davis. I don’t know about you, but I’m excited for the meshugaas.

So most of the family is looking forward to Gabe Carimi putting on the blue and orange. And that’s where we get back to the Jewish contribution to the NFL and particularly Da Bears. Word on the street is that Gabe might be a rival for top Jew Bear title now held by the redoubtable Sid Luckman. During his 12 seasons with the Bears he led them to four NFL championships. Could Gabe do the same? I know 5 fans who are probably praying that he can. I for my part am looking forward to seeing 5 smiling faces for a few seasons of Bears best behavior.

Good news for those interested in the community of Jewish Athletes and Sports Participants generally, especially if you know about the programs of  the Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare (JHSMH) systems that includes more than 70 health care facilities and 1,900 patient beds in Kentucky and southern Indiana.

In 1997, Jewish Hospital Frazier Rehab Institute implemented a comprehensive sports medicine program that has evolved into Jewish Sports Medicine (JSM), a program providing medical services to the physically active Kentuckiana community.

As part of the Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare organization, JSM offers a comprehensive range of services including education, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and wellness from a specially trained and certified staff, ensuring the highest quality of care possible.

Certified Athletic Trainers and other professionals in the area of sports medicine provide a holistic approach to the athlete, no matter the level of competition.

JSM offers an extensive array of services, packaged with a multi-faceted approach. This approach keeps people in the game of life by helping them understand the need for education and preventative measures, for the entire individual-physically and mentally.

And more information about the involvement of JSM and the Senior PGA Championship in just a few days.

Jewish Sports Medicine, a service of Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare, will provide on-site medical services for the Senior PGA Championship when the tournament comes to Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville May 24-29, 2011.

A team of physicians, nurses and EMS personnel will be on hand to treat any medical needs among the 10,000 daily spectators and volunteers expected to be on-hand for the championship.

“We anticipate that we will treat a number of different types of injuries, but the most common during events like these are headaches, lacerations and allergies,” said Dr. Mario Maya, JHSMH medical director for the event. “Other injuries may include falls on the course resulting in sprains, strains, bruises, fractures lacerations, more.  Our purpose is to keep everyone safe and well so that they can enjoy this wonderful sporting event.”

“There is also the potential for heat related illness,” Maya added. Volunteers and spectators alike need to be aware of the possibility of insect bites/stings; sunburns so wear the sunscreen; hydration so drink plenty of water; and wear cool comfortable clothing and shoes.

Jewish Hospital recognizes that athletes are not the only ones to sustain injuries while at these events. Attendees are often the ones that need medical attention.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for our community to have the Senior PGA Championship back in Louisville,” said Denise Wooldridge, RN, BSN, Director, JHSMH “It is important to recognize that athletes are not the only ones to sustain injuries while at these events. Jewish Sports Medicine is proud to be a partner and provide the care needed for volunteers and attendees.”

Jewish Sports Medicine has provided medical management for the last four major PGA tournaments held at Valhalla in addition to the 2009 Ryder Cup.  Maya has been the medical director for all of these.  Jewish Sports Medicine also provides medical management for many other regular community events including University of Louisville football and special events such as the 2010 USA Cycling Masters Road National Championship.

Maya is board certified in emergency medicine, practices occupational medicine with Occupational Physicians Services of Louisville, a local medical group helping provide leadership to the JHSMH EmployCare program, as well as working with the Jewish Hospital Sports Medicine program.

The 72nd Senior PGA Championship will be held at Valhalla Golf Club over five days. There will be a maximum of 156 players that represent 17 countries.  Valhalla is only the third course in the nation to have hosted a PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship and a Ryder Cup.

Just wanted to introduce some of you to the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and it’s website as that is an organization that fully deserves the support of both Jewish and Gentile sports-fans, and also the World  Jewish Community whether they watch or participate in sports, or are usually ambivalent towards sports generally. Sports in the modern Jewish culture are a bridge between peoples and nations, and Israel and the people of the world. In the section of the website dealing with the history of Jewish sports participation it is said the modern era of sports and the Covenanted People started in the late 18th century when a growing number of Jews were involved in the athletic contests of that time. Boxing attracted many a man who saw a way to make some mark on the world and earn a crust or two when maybe the avenues for advancement were narrow. The history books mention the Belasco brothers, Isaac Bitton, Barney Aaron and Samuel Elias as pugnacious pugilists at the top of the the pile. The very best known boxer was Daniel Mendoza from Portugal who held the English boxing champion crown from 1792 to 1795. His bouts under his self-titled “Mendoza the Jew” name brought him wide acclaim when boxing was a very different game than today. It was a much more brutal sport in the 18th and 19th centuries. In keeping with the age he was the subject of editorial cartoons and stories, and songs were composed in his honor. Mendoza was a source of pride among Jewish people and in addition became a favorite of the masses of ordinary people who flocked to fights in those days. Even the less ordinary, more extra-ordinary fight fans saw that Mendoza was one great battler and the Prince of Wales was a big fan. Mendoza became to be regarded as the “father of scientific boxing” as he match his wits against the brawlers who in a time of pure violence used their brawn rather than their brains to try to demolish their opponents. He was the forerunner of a great tide of scrappers who won the hearts of the British boxing fraternity in the years that followed.

The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame/Yad Le’ish Hasport Hayehudi was formally inaugurated on July 7, 1981. Its predecessor, the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, was founded in the United States in May 1979. The original Hall of Fame included only American honorees. The International Hall of Fame honors athletes and sportsmen and sportswomen throughout the world.

The purpose of the IJSHOF is to honor Jewish men and women, worldwide, who have accomplished extraordinary achievements in sports and to recognize other Jewish men and women, through its Pillar of Achievement, who have made significant contributions to society through sports. In addition, its Lifetime Achievement Award annually honors those individuals who have made significant contributions to the State of Israel and society through sports.

Elections to the IJSHOF are made annually. Announcements of each election are made on about December 1st for the succeeding year. Anyone can submit nominations to the IJSHOF. They should be made to the Executive Director, IJSHOF, Wingate Institute, Wingate Post Office, 42902 Israel. All submissions of nominations should be accompanied by as much support information about the candidate(s) as is available.

The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is a “partnership” between the Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sports and some of the world’s leading sports authorities, and interested, active and philanthropic Jews.

So how about it. On your next trip to the Promised Land visit the Hall of Fame in Netanya and see what has been achieved in the wide world of sports.