Iran’s Attack on Israel
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Some of the best-known trail-blazing Jewish athletes who left their imprint on the athletic arena and in our Jewish hearts.
Among the fields in which Jews have distinguished themselves, medicine, science, economics and entertainment come immediately to mind. Sports—less so. And yet, contrary to popular belief, there have been hundreds of noteworthy Jewish athletes, many attaining iconic status. Here is a sampling of some of the best-known who’ve left their imprint on the athletic arena and in our Jewish hearts.
Sandy Koufax, born in 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, was one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. His noteworthy career with the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 1960s established him as one of baseball’s most legendary figures.
Starting with the Dodgers in 1955 with his powerful left arm, Koufax developed into a powerful force on the mound. His laser-focused fastball and deadly curveball resulted in four no-hitters, three Cy Young Awards, and five consecutive ERA titles. In the 1960s, Koufax led the Dodgers to multiple World Series victories.
His Jewish faith garnered national attention when Koufax declined to pitch Game 1 of the 1965 World Series since it coincided with Yom Kippur. Koufax was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1979 in Israel and the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, which honors the best U.S. Jewish athletes of all time. He was also the final player welcomed into the inaugural Israel Baseball League in 2007 by the Modi’in Miracle.
By the time he retired at the peak of his career in 1966 at the age of 30 due to persistent arm injuries, he had more than earned an honored place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Mark Spitz became world-famous during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Just 22, he made Olympic history by winning seven gold medals in swimming competitons. That record was unbeaten for 36 years.
Raised in a Jewish home, Spitz was proud of and inspired by his faith and connection to his heritage. He would often speak about how they molded his values and determination. His athleticism and attachment to his heritage was inspirational both in the sports world and to future generations.
Shawn Green, born in 1972, became well known for his outstanding career in Major League Baseball (MLB). Among the teams for which he excelled as an outfielder were the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and New York Mets.
Green's expertise won him two Gold Glove Awards and two Silver Slugger Awards. His standout achievements include having been a 4-time MLB All-Star as well as a member of the exclusive 30-30 club, which acknowledged seasons in which he thrilled fans with at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases. Green’s Jewish heritage fills him with pride. In September 2001, Shawn announced that he would not play on Yom Kippur, because he considered himself "a role model in sports for Jewish kids."
Max Baer was one of the top heavyweight boxers during the 1930s. Known for his punching power and charismatic personality, Baer achieved sports immortality by clinching the heavyweight title in 1934, when he defeated Primo Carnera. Known for his flamboyant style both inside and outside the ring, Baer became a crowd favorite with his entertaining performances.
Baer's Jewish heritage also played a significant role in shaping his identity. Baer proudly embraced his Jewish roots and his affiliation with Judaism added depth to his public persona. In a time when Jewish athletes faced challenges and stereotypes, Baer's success and pride in his heritage served as an inspiration to many.
Aly Raisman brought artistry to gymnastics. Her international prominence surfaced as a member of the U.S. women's gymnastics team, known as the "Fierce Five," which brought the gold home from the 2012 London Olympics.
Raisman established herself as one of the team’s standout gymnasts, clinching individual medals, including gold on floor exercise and bronze on balance beam at those Olympic Games. Famous for her powerful routines and laser-like focus, she quickly became a role model for gymnasts.
Raisman has spoken with pride and passion about the importance of her faith. In addition, she has advocated for positive body image and taken a brave and public stand against abuse in sports. As an extraordinary athlete and inspiring public figure, Raisman is a role model for aspiring athletes and for people worldwide to embrace their cultural identity.
Hank "The Hebrew Hammer" Greenberg, shot to fame with an extraordinary career in Major League Baseball (MLB) during the 1930s and 1940s. He played for the Detroit Tigers and later the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Greenberg's nickname, "The Hebrew Hammer," stemmed from both his Jewish heritage and his mighty hitting on the diamond. As an exceptional first baseman and outfielder, Greenberg holds the distinction of being the first Jewish superstar in American team sports. He broke barriers and challenged stereotypes, becoming a source of pride for Jews everywhere.
In addition to serving honorably in World War II, Greenberg’s honors included two Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards and multiple All-Star selections.
Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom was a boxer and actor who came from a family with Eastern European Jewish roots, of which he was very proud.
Recognized for his unusual boxing style and outstanding defensive skills, Rosenbloom became the World Light Heavyweight Champion in 1930. Outside the ring, his charismatic personality turned out to be a natural for the entertainment industry. His screen performances were a perfect blend of toughness and humor, inspiring his nickname "Slapsie Maxie."
Achieving great pride in the ring and inspiring great pride in the Jewish community, Rosenbloom was elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1972 and to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993. He died on March 6, 1976.
Arnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach was celebrated for his exceptional coaching genius and leadership in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in 1917 to a Jewish family, Auerbach was raised with a strong work ethic and a sense of community – which evolved into his coaching philosophy that stressed teamwork and dedication. His coaching career’s high point was with the Boston Celtics, where he served as head coach and later as the general manager.
Together with Auerbach, the Celtics triumphed, winning an amazing nine NBA championships from 1957 to 1966. Auerbach's strategic excellence, melded with his facility of creating a sense of unity among his players, turned Auerbach into a coaching icon. In his life beyond basketball, Auerbach’s love of his Jewish heritage led to his commitment to social justice and his reputation as a trailblazer, visionary, and example of Jewish resilience in sports Auerbach has inspired many generations of athletes and fans.
Extraordinary gymnast and Holocaust survivor Agnes Keleti was born in 1921, in Budapest, Hungary. World War II and the Holocaust interrupted the career of the budding gymnast star. As Hungarian Jews were being persecuted, Keleti went into hiding and adopted a false identity to survive the war. Tragically, many of her family members did not survive the Holocaust.
When the war ended, Keleti returned to her beloved gymnastics and went on to win 10 Olympic medals, including five golds, during the 1952 Helsinki and 1956 Melbourne Games.
Keleti's Jewish heritage remained an important part of her identity, inspiring others with her overcoming adversity and her ability to adapt to different life experiences, and to use the human spirit and the power of sport to transcend hardship. She was awarded the Israel Prize, the Jewish state’s highest honor bestowed on its citizens.
Boxer Barney Ross, born Dov-Ber Rasofsky, was born in New York City to a Jewish immigrant family. His boxing skills helped him deal with the challenges of the depression. Ross became a three-weight world champion in the 1930s, triumphing over the lightweight, light welterweight, and welterweight divisions. His tenacity in the ring mirrored the strength instilled in him by his Jewish upbringing.
During World War II, Ross enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served impressively in the Pacific Theater, earning a Silver Star and a Purple Heart for his bravery. Ross's wartime experiences enhanced his reputation as a man of courage and honor.
Ross distinguished himself not only as a world champion in the ring but also as a symbol of resilience, sacrifice, and pride in one's heritage.
To USA Centric, some of the greatest Jewish Athletes are European, Victor Barna many times a World Champion at Table Tennis, Richard Savit of the USA who was a Tennis Champion at the Wimbledon Championships after WWII. These are some of the greatest that you have left out of your list.
Agree copmpletely USA centric.
For example, what about
Angelica Rozeanu (15 October 1921 – 21 February 2006) was a Romanian table tennis player of Jewish origin, the most successful female table tennis player in the history of the sport, winning the women's world singles title 6 years in succession.(Wikipedia)
Completely USA centric.
What about the greats like Jody Schechter, Harold Abrahams, Alexander Khalifman, Ali Bacher, Okey Geffin, Ronny Rosenthal, Ben Helfgott.
See my response to Markk Shor's comment, below.
You should have included in Hank Greenberg's profile that he was the first famous Jewish ballplayer to not play on Yom Kippur. In Sept 1934, in a hot pennant race with the Yankees, Greenberg went to shul on Yom Kippur and did not play. Another significant point was that, a few years later, he was about to break Babe Ruth's home run record of 60, having reached 58 home runs weeks before the end of the season, when pitchers were ordered to not give him hittable pitches, because they did not want a Jew breaking Ruth's record.
Did any of these sportsmen refuse to play on Shabbat?
I was surprised not to see Buffalo Bills head coach (1980s-90s) Marvin Levy not included.
Also, there was great concern for Mark Spitz’s safety when terrorists attacked the 1972 Olympics, murdering Israeli athletes.
Red Holzman should make this list. He joined the NBL Rochester Royals, and was named Rookie of the Year in 1944–45.In 1945–46 and 1947–48 he was on the NBL's first All League team.Holzman stayed with the team through their move to the NBA and subsequent NBA championship in 1951.
He was the coach of the NY Knicks for their only two NBA Championships (1970 & 1973), and he won 613 games as coach of the Knicks. Since coaches did not wear uniforms, when his "Number" was retired, they raised a Knicks jersey with the number 613.
He is in the Basketball Hall of Fame, the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.
In 2000, a clock tower was erected in his honor at the intersection of Central Avenue and Cedarhurst Avenue in Cedarhurst.
Thanks, Mark, and Robert, below. Yes, I'm sure many others could have been included. This was not meant to be a definitive list, but just a selection of worthy Jewish high-profile athletes. It's kind of like making a list of great movies, or even great Jewish-themed movies. You're always going to leave someone's choice out, especially when you have article limitations and there are so many choices. Perphaps we'll do a sequel and present some of the others.
My comment was not intended to say that the people mentioned in the article were not deserving of their mention, Far from it. I just always felt that walking in to the "World's Most Famous Arena" and seeing a Knicks jersey with the number 613 hanging in the rafters commemorating Red Holzman is something special.
You should have mentioned Marty Glickman. An All-American in football and track, who, prevented from competing in the 1936 Munich Olympic games, went on the become who many believe the greatest sports announcer.