As a high school and Division I college basketball player, I always wore my kippah while playing ball, but I was told that it was not desirable to wear tzitzis during athletics because the perspiration and wear and tear that the tzitzis would be exposed to could degrade the holiness of the garment.

At age twenty, I was recruited by European powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv to play professional basketball in Israel. Shortly after my arrival, a coach asked me why I did not wear tzitzis while playing. I reiterated the answer that I had been taught, but this exchange spurred me to think more deeply about the mitzvah of tzitzis.

After doing some research, I decided to wear tzitzis on the court while taking all measures to prevent degrading the garment. While this decision felt right to me, turning it into actual practice was more complicated than I expected. First, since the Israeli Basketball League prohibits players from wearing anything under the team jersey, I needed to obtain special permission from the League to wear my tzitzis. I soon discovered, however, that the materials, fit and design of the many styles of tzitzis I tried were not conducive to performing at a high intensity level. Finally, the tzitzis did not hold up well against all the sweat and washing, requiring me to purchase seemingly endless pairs.

After retiring from professional basketball in 2009 due to several severe injuries, I began focusing on coaching. I repeatedly encountered Jewish athletes who did not wear tzitzis during athletics because the garments were not comfortable or fashionable, and considered by many as unnecessary during sport. I learned that it says, “V’asu lahem (for them)” tzitzis” (Bamidbar 15:38) and was inspired by the plural usage to create a line of tzitzis that appealed to a modern aesthetic and that could withstand rigorous activity so Jews everywhere could adhere to the mitzvah of wearing tzitzis in comfort and style, without needing to worry about damaging the garment.

After an extended process of devising a design, locating a manufacturer, developing the prototype, ensuring the tzitzis were halachically kosher while simultaneously enhancing, rather than impeding, athletic performance, and finally, working with the OK to secure kosher certification, Sport Strings tzitzis become a reality.

Sport Strings is unique because the garment is created out of high-performance athletic materials, offers a compression fit, UV protection, and anti-odor and anti-microbial properties while strictly adhering to the halachos regarding tzitzis. The garment is constructed of two attached lightweight layers with the inner compression layer consisting of the high-performance materials, while the outer layer fulfills the halachic requirements by being a four cornered garment with the majority of the sides open, and consisting of material that is fifty-one percent cotton.

I learned that it says, “V’asu lahem tzitzis” (Bamidbar 15:38) and was inspired by the plural usage to create a line of tzitzis that appealed to a modern aesthetic and that could withstand rigorous activity…

OK Kosher Certification examined four main aspects of the garment to ensure the tzitzis were kosher: the fabric used for the outer garment (the use of synthetic fabrics is questionable for the tzitzis garment); the halachic status of the inner, wicking garment; the openness on the sides to render it a four-cornered garment; and, finally, that the tzitzis were tied according to halacha and that they were placed properly on the corners of the garment.

While Sport Strings are clearly advantageous to athletes, they are also a great option for those less inclined towards athletics. The compression design of Sport Strings fits sleekly under casual and dress clothes contributing to a neater looking appearance. Whether worn during athletics, at school, camp, or at the office, it is my hope that outfitting the Biblical commandment with modern materials and design will help others perform the mitzvah of tzitzis with increased enthusiasm.

Sport Strings can be customized with graphics and individualized and team logos. For more information about Sport Strings, please go to tamirgoodman.com

May 7, 2012

(JTA) — Omri Casspi of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Tamir Goodman, “the Jewish Jordan,” are teaming to run three basketball camps in suburban Cleveland.

According to a news release, the camps for first- to eighth-graders are designed to improve skills of boys and girls “in a positive and Jewishly spirited environment.”

The camps will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on consecutive Sundays from June 10 to 24. The June 10 camp is at the Beachwood Middle School; June 17 and 24 at the Fuchs Mizrachi School and Agnon School campus.

Casspi is the first Israeli to play in the NBA. He was a first-round draft pick of the Sacramento Kings in 2009 and was traded to the Cavaliers prior to this season.

Goodman was dubbed “the Jewish Jordan” in a cover story in Sports Illustrated during a stellar high school basketball career. He went on to play Div. I college basketball and professionally in Israel and the United States.

Don’t miss out! Get the JTA Daily Briefing delivered FREE to your inbox!

The Event: The theme of dreaming — and achieving — the impossible dream was front and center on April 17 inside the North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, where more than 100 supporters of the Jewish United Fund came out to meet one of Israel’s premier basketball heroes, Tamir Goodman.

JUF-Israel Emergency Fund mobilizes the resources for wide-ranging humanitarian services to 300,000 Chicagoans of all faiths as well as 2 million Jews in Israel and around the world.

Cause Célèbre: “JUF has invited me to this amazing temple to be part of this community and share my story,” said Goodman, who first gained notoriety as the “kippah-wearing standout” at Townson University in Maryland (kippah is another name for yarmulke).

Dubbed the “Jewish Jordan” by Sports Illustrated, Goodman’s story received worldwide media coverage on Fox News, ESPN, CNN and ABC, to name a few. He played six professional seasons in Israel despite being told that it would be impossible for him to play professional or collegiate ball as an observant Jew.

“I was fortunate to live out my dream and play professionally without playing on Shabbat,” Goodman said. Currently a motivational speaker, Goodman uses his story as a tool to inspire “everyone whom I can possibly reach to let them know that there is no such thing as impossible.”

NSCI Executive Director Drew Barkley said, “To be able to host the JUF here tonight is something that … cements our values with [JUF’s] values in supporting the community.”

The website for North Shore Congregation Israel is www.nsci.org. The main number is 847.835.0724.

JUF’s website is www.juf.org, and the main phone number is 312.346.6700.

Bottom Line: The event raised nearly $70,000, bringing North Shore Congregation Israel’s total for the Jewish United Fund 2012 campaign to $2,482,000 from more than 800 donors.

On April 26th, a historic event took place when over 300 members of Chicago’s Jewish community gathered at the United Center to celebrate Israel’s 64th birthday with Tamir Goodman’s Coolanu Israel, a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching Jewish values and Israel education through basketball programs. The Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration had added significance because the Bulls were playing against the Cavs and Omri Casspi, who made history as the first and so far only Israeli to play in the NBA. The Coolanu Israel participants’ enthusiastic cheers that rocked the United Center were a lively declaration of love and appreciation for the State of Israel.

The celebration kicked off with a reception before tip-off where participants enjoyed the festive atmosphere, an Israeli themed dinner, trivia games about Israel, and socializing with old and new friends. Tamir Goodman, Coolanu’s founder and director, Diane Halivni, Coolanu’s director of programming and development, and Michael Small, the evening’s MC, welcomed the crowd to the exciting event. Participants were then thrilled by surprise appearances by Bull’s President and COO, Michael Reinsdorf, and JNF Chicago Region president, Scott Gendell, both of whom addressed the crowd and shared personal anecdotes about Israel.

Participants then made their way to their seats to watch the game and cheer on the home team (as well as Coolanu’s fan-favorite, Omri Casspi!). The Coolanu group’s loud cheering even caught the attention of the camera man, and the group, waving Israeli flags, was featured on the scoreboard!  After the Bulls defeated the Cavs, everyone made their way court side for what was a truly special post-game event.

After Tamir Goodman revved up the crowd, he ran into the locker room area and moments later returned with special featured guest, Omri Casspi, who received a hugely warm welcome of singing, cheering, and chants of Am Yisrael Chai from the adoring crowd. MC Michael Small, as well as participants in the stands, posed questions to Casspi, who gave heartfelt answers to each question. A highlight of the question and answer session was when Casspi extended an invitation to the group to visit him in his “favorite” place in all of Israel, his hometown of Yavne.

Participants also had the pleasure of listening to remarks by the Anti-Defamation League’s Regional Director, Lonnie Nasatir, and watching a video message on the scoreboard from Israel’s Consul General, Orli Gil. The group then counted the Omer and sang a moving rendition of Israel’s national anthem, Hatikvah. The incredible evening became even more special when all the kids in attendance had the thrilling opportunity to shoot free throws on the United Center court.

The evening was a huge success and a truly memorable way to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut. The event could not have been possible without the ongoing support of Anne Lanski and the iCenter, the hard work of the Coolanu staff, the generous sponsors and donors, dedicated volunteers, inspiring speakers, and of course, all of the participants who brought their enthusiasm, ruach, and their Israeli flags to the United Center.

Please check out some amazing photos from the evening, below, and keep checking the blog for updated pictures and information on future Coolanu programs and events. Please feel free to comment on the pictures and let us know your thoughts!

(Pictures by Dejaviewsusa.com)

Opening words from Diane Halivni

Tamir Goodman with Michael Reinsdorf - President and Chief Operating Officer of the Chicago Bulls

Tamir Goodman with Scott Gendell and Michael Reinsdorf

Coolanu crowd waits to greet Omri Casspi

Omri Casspi smiles when he sees the Coolanu crowd

Omri Casspi inspires Coolanu

Good Times

Tamir, Diane, and coach Lavina

Coolanu participants line up to shoot a free throw

Bye until next time: Tzeitchem L'shalom

Tamir Goodman, 30, has been known as basketball’s “Jewish Jordan” but these days he’s an inspirational speaker promoting Jewish identity, president of Tamir Goodman Sports Consultant LLC, a husband and father of four.

A former professional player for the Maryland Nighthawks who’d previously sported jerseys for six seasons with Israeli teams, Goodman will be the guest speaker at the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s Men’s Night Out on Monday, April 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Tucson Jewish Community Center.

Goodman is proud of his basketball prowess — and his Orthodox Jewish identity. “I’m the first Jewish athlete to play Division 1 college basketball and professional basketball and not play on Shabbat,” Goodman told the AJP from Cleveland, where he lives with his family, coaching boys’ junior varsity and girls’ basketball at a Jewish day school.

Although he retired as a basketball player in 2009, Goodman recalls, “I gave 1,000 percent for the Jewish people. It was never about me. I came back from three career-ending injuries,” until a final injury made it impossible for him to keep playing. Still, he continues, “my injuries were my greatest blessing. I knew Hashem didn’t want me to play anymore. I’m a better person from my challenges in life, not necessarily my accomplishments. I’m at peace that I can’t play anymore.”

Goodman grew up in Baltimore, Md., in an Orthodox Jewish family, with six brothers and two sisters. He began playing basketball at age 5 and first garnered national attention as a junior in high school, averaging 35.4 points per game for the Talmudic Academy of Baltimore. Goodman’s story received worldwide media coverage, including Sports Illustrated and CNN, ESPN, 60 Minutes and Fox Sports. He was ranked the 25th-best high school player in the country in 11th grade, and later received a scholarship to the University of Maryland.

Although Goodman isn’t in the game anymore, he hasn’t left basketball. He trains Jewish coaches and has worked with more than 30,000 Jewish children in basketball camps across North America, England and Israel, including as director of Haifa Hoops for Kids, which raises money to help disadvantaged children in Israel through basketball. A dual U.S. and Israeli citizen, Goodman served in the Israel Defense Forces and received the Outstanding Soldier Award for his service.

Orthodox Judaism has even informed his current consulting business. Goodman created “the high-performance, compression-fit, moisture-wicking, odor-wicking, UV protected” Sport Strings tzitzit, which he knew was needed “from my years of playing basketball and praying hard.”

Goodman will speak about his “emotions of Jewish pride” in Tucson, his first trip to Arizona. “From what I hear you have a very special community, and I’m excited about coming to Tucson,” he says, adding that he expects a lot of laughing together.

Alexander (Lex) Sears, who has been in the Tucson real estate business since 1971, will receive the 2012 Mentor Award. A past president of the Tucson Jewish Community Center, Sears founded and is past co-chair of the Federation’s Real Estate and Allied Professionals group.

Admission to Men’s Night Out is $36, plus a minimum pledge of $180 to the Federation Campaign for men over age 30; under 30, a minimum pledge of $36; students, a minimum pledge of $18. Deli and beer will be served. RSVP by April 11 to Rebecca Goodman (no relation) at 577-9393, ext. 119, or rgoodman@jfsa.org.

Coolanu Israel camp

Posted: Thursday, March 22, 2012 5:35 pm

Sue Hoffman
Staff Reporter | 0 comments

Should sports camp offer more than training? Absolutely yes, according to basketball star and trailblazer Tamir Goodman.

Goodman is founder and director of Coolanu Israel, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening Jewish identity and connection to Israel through seminars, camps, clinics and other venues for Jewish students, professionals, athletes and coaches. Some 30,000 Jewish boys and girls have attended Coolanu sports camps.

“Coolanu,” Goodman said, means “everyone.” The camps bring everyone together through the universal language of basketball.

“When we’re working with kids, we’re not only teaching basketball, but also values,” said American-born Goodman, who played for top Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv for six seasons. Dubbed the “Jewish Jordan” by Sports Illustrated as a top high-school player, Goodman played NCAA Division I basketball on an athletic scholarship without playing on Shabbat. He’s now a renowned public speaker.

“Behind every pass, dribble and shot, there’s a metaphor for life, Judaism and Israel,” Goodman said. For example, players are taught to dribble low to the ground while keeping their head up. The metaphor, he said, is that Judaism emphasizes humility. “They can’t just be satisfied with their own accomplishments in life,” he said. “They have to help their teammates achieve their potential.

“We train coaches on these values,” Goodman said. “We speak to kids through the language of sports. This is my mission.”

Goodman, who just held a Coolanu camp in Chicago for 130 children and 40 coaches and has held clinics at The Agnon School in Beachwood, said he’s working on the logistics for starting Coolanu Cleveland.

Camps need to emphasize individual training, said Goodman, a University Heights resident and the father of four. “We look at each athlete as a special individual and help them reach their potential on and off the court. Some kids may be going through challenges and having a tough time. This is our opportunity to enhance these kids’ lives.

“The Torah says you save one person’s life and you save the whole world,” Goodman said. “We realize the power of sports to help people in ways other things can’t.”

Every child attending Coolanu gets his or her own ball to emphasize personal improvement, Goodman said. “When each kid has his own ball, we recognize individual accomplishments.” One person does three shots a minute, another 10 a minute. “It’s all about how you define success.” For a child who wouldn’t take a shot before and now takes one, that’s success, he said. “It’s just as important as a game-winning shot. We tell them, ‘You need to reach your own potential. Then you’re a true winner.’”

When selecting a sports camp, talk to the coaches and staff, Goodman said. “Some elite camps are invitation only. Other camps are like ours, where the staff knows how to realize the beauty in each kid. We look at each athlete as a special individual. We help them reach their potential on and off the court. We can use sports as a tool to enrich their lives and help them overcome obstacles.”

Like the Coolanu camps, Blue Streak camps attract a range of abilities.

“We try to make camp as noncompetitive as possible,” said Blue Streak camps president Tim Baab. “We try to downplay competition and give every kid a chance to kick it, hit it and throw it.”

Blue Streak camps, located in several Cleveland-area sites, including Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, University School in Hunting Valley and Fairmount Early Childhood Center in Beachwood, offer sports, from archery and baseball to basketball, football, golf, soccer, hockey, tennis and more.

Blue Streak offers specific sports camps as well as an all-sports camp where children sample a little bit of many sports. Outdoor education, rappelling and compass reading are also offered.

Besides providing the opportunity to play sports, the camp “is about motor development and coordination” for all skill levels, Baab said. “I have had kids who are not that athletic and those that are terrific and everything in between. You don’t have to be a star to be in this camp.”

That atmosphere brings campers back year after year, he said, and they eventually work their way up to being junior counselors and counselors.

“I think kids should participate in and play as many different sports as they can,” Baab said. “There’s a different type of coordination and set of social skills to be developed” for each sport.

A noncompetitive atmosphere and wholesome environment are among the qualities parents should look for in choosing a sports camp, Baab said. If they’re looking for competition, they should look at specialized camps, he said.

shoffman@cjn.org