Original Article Published On The Jewish News syndicate

The 6-foot-9, 220-pounder becomes the third Israeli, after Omri Casspi and Gal Mekel, to play in the NBA.

Israeli basketball fans had to stay up very late or rise very early to witness the Washington Wizards taking 19-year-old Deni Avdija No. 9 overall in the NBA Draft 2020.

Just after NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called his name at 9:02 Eastern Time from ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Conn., ESPN commentators highlighted the Maccabi Tel Aviv standout’s basketball IQ and his versatility, calling him “the steal of the draft.”

They noted his “tremendous versatility in the open court” and said he was “a fiery competitor.”

“It means a lot to me,” said Avdija when asked what it means to be the highest-drafted Israeli in history. “Israel is a small country and to represent Israel is amazing. I am super excited to get my game to the next level and to see what happens.”

The 6-foot-9, 220-pounder becomes the third Israeli to play in the NBA after Omri Casspi and Gal Mekel. “Omri has been in touch with me. We talked a lot about his route here, what I can do as a rookie, travel and more.”

The emotional Avdija thanked his friends and family for their support. “I truly love them. I love the support and will make you proud. I will work 100 percent!”

ESPN commentators playfully noted that Avdija, who addressed the media in fluent English, “gets by in two-and-a-half languages.” They noted that he learned English by “watching TV and playing ‘Call of Duty,’ ” the video game. “He is quite fluent in basketball, thanks to his Dad.”

His Muslim father, Zufer Avdija, was born in Yugoslavia and played for Yugoslavia’s national basketball team. The dual Serbian-Israeli citizen and sports coach also played for several Israeli professional basketball teams. “He played a big part in my journey,” said his son. “It was great to have another competitive sportsperson in the house. He taught me how to act on the court, small tricks, how to be a professional and how to have a good work ethic.”

His Jewish mother, Sharon Artzi, was a competitive track-and-field athlete. Avdija grew up in Beit Zera, a kibbutz in northern Israel, and currently lives in Herzliya. Soon, he’ll move to Washington, D.C.

“My American agent is from D.C., and he has said great things!” reported Avdija during the post-draft Zoom media conference, attended by more than 150 journalists from around the world. “Washington, D.C. is the capital—I heard it is a great place.”

Not only are the Wizards “a great organization,” he will play with such famed players as point guard John Wall.

Avdija doesn’t expect to have a difficult time making the transition from playing in Israel to playing in the NBA. “I am easy to adjust. I think it won’t be hard to adjust to the NBA style. I will be asking questions to get better every day and have the best environment around me to help me make sure I fit in and get better in the NBA.”

He will likely play small forward for the Wizards.

Avdija averaged 12.9 points per game, 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists on 52.6 percent shooting from the field and 35.3 percent from 3-point range in the Israeli league last season for Maccabi Tel Aviv. His stats were slightly less impressive in the more competitive Euroleague.

Yam Madar, a 6’3” point guard and fellow Israeli, is likely to be taken later in the NBA draft. Madar, who played for Hapoel Tel Aviv, is a skilled playmaker and strong shooter.

Israeli NBA prospect Deni Avdija shoots a free throw for Israel at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in April 2018. Credit: Sven Mandel via Wikimedia Commons.

‘Show his stuff on the highest stage’

Israelis haven’t been this pumped about the NBA since fellow Maccabi Tel Aviv player Casspi was drafted  No. 23 by the Sacramento Kings in the 2009 draft. He played for several teams during his 10-year NBA career.

Aliza Haas, who lives in Jerusalem, is the mother of two boys who grew up playing in the Hapoel Youth League. “People here are so excited and proud that there are two outstanding Israeli players in the 2020 NBA draft. Sports has always been a place where people can bring hope and show that anything is possible if a person works hard enough and believes in themselves. I can’t wait to see Avdija or Madar wearing an NBA team jersey!”

David Wiseman, originally from Australia and who now lives in Israel, maintains the Facebook Group “Follow Team Israel.” While he didn’t stay up to watch the draft, he and his group have been following Avdija for a long time. “ ‘Follow Team Israel’ has been sharing his exploits for a while and can’t wait for the rest of the world to get to know him. As much as a champion he is on the court, he is off it as well. Given his obvious talent from a very young age, people have been waiting for this day for a long time. We are excited to see Deni show his stuff on the highest stage and also to see where he will end up.”

Yariv Amiram, 26, grew up playing at Maccabi Tel Aviv youth club and has been playing basketball professionally for the past nine years. He currently plays for Hapoel Hevel Modi’in. Amiram feels that Avdija’s basketball IQ is high and thinks he will “automatically become someone who will represent Israel.”

He adds, “I’m sure he will do it great!”

Amiram said he is delighted that Avdija will help “make kids believe more that they can make it so high and go far. And in the future, it will open more doors for everyone.”

The sports news brought a dose of optimism to the two countries amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. And when travel finally resumes, Israelis will no doubt be off to Washington, D.C., to see their young up-and-coming superstar in action.

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There are two things you don’t hear much about during the Covid pandemic—new businesses opening and new job opportunities for people with disabilities.  (Bakers) hats off to Shiri Reuveni-Ullrich, the founder and president and the amazing team of Rising Above Bakery in Chestnut Ridge, New York! The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization will train and employ people with disabilities.  

Reuveni-Ulrich, a speech therapist who worked with students in the kitchen for years, developed a cookie line which provided work opportunities for people with disabilities.   “After establishing our baking routines, I noticed how much the students open up in the kitchen. Nonverbal students started sounding their voices, laughing, singing, expressing their true self. From there the road was paved to combine all my passions into one focal point- thus the bakery,” reports Reuveni-Ulrich.

Reuveni-Ullrich notes that “over 80% of adults with intellectual disabilities do not have paid employment in their communities” and adds, “At Rising Above Bakery, we believe that everyone should have a fighting chance to learn a skill that leads to personal empowerment and even to steady employment opportunities.”  

Plans for a brick-and-mortar bakery that would employ individuals with different abilities as equal members of the team as well as teach baking skills are still in the works. At this, they are creating a cottage bakery that will offer workshops and classes, centered on “teaching within a loving community atmosphere available for New York and New Jersey residents.” The goal is to prepare new bakers for independency in the kitchen. 

They have launched a Kickstart Challenge and hope to raise $20,000 to get the bakery up and running.

Check out this short video to learn more.

It is always refreshing to see more training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.  It is especially praiseworthy that Rising Above Bakery is opening during these difficult times.  Please check out my growing list of creative job sites for people with disabilities. I have visited 30 or so and have another 150 on my list still to visit! 


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Best Webinars During Pandemic Are Short, Focused and Have Rich Content.  Thank You, Dr. Stephen Shore!

Raise your hand if you are on your 100th educational webinar this pandemic!.   We are all getting smarter by the minute, thanks to an abundance of webinars, offered by so many wonderful organizations and individuals.   I have written about some in this blog.  I have learned from Temple Grandin, Next for Autism, Access Israel, RespectAbility and more.  Some last exact an hour (ideal), and some last up to five hours (with no built in bathroom break—arrgggg!),

Thank you, Shelly Christensen of Inclusion Innovations and Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer of Jewish Learning Venture for offering an awesome 29 minute, 53 second session with Dr. Stephen Shore on The 4 A’s of Autism—all part of the series, “Everyone’s Welcome: A Fresh Conversation About Disability.”  View it here! 

For more info on upcoming webinars, click here.

Dr. Shore is always engaging, informative and clear.  He is a professor of special education at Adelphi University and he is autistic himself.  He shared his story, then shared the 4 A’s—Awareness, Acceptance, Appreciation and Action, and answered questions about employment, changing mindset about people with autism, and about the term autistic.   Enjoy!

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Nearly every Friday afternoon, I receive a phone call from an old friend wishing me “Shabbat Shalom.”  In this day and age when few people pick up the phone to ask and truly care about how another person is doing, it is very refreshing.  Even on a busy Friday with Shabbat starting just after 4 pm, I look forward to Jeremy’s call.

I suspect I am not the only person who benefits from and appreciates Jeremy and his many fine qualities.  This became clear during a recent event sponsored by Beth Sholom Congregation and Talmud Torah in Potomac, Maryland.  Assistant Rabbi, Eitan Cooper had planned to host Jeremy at the shul’s yearly Disabilities Awareness and Inclusion Program, but Covid led to a shift to a virtual program.  Nearly 100 people were captivated by Jeremy’s sincerity, openness and passion as he spoke with Rabbi Cooper and the community about disabilities—his own and in general– inclusion and his personal Jewish journey. Jeremy received applause when Rabbi Cooper explained his role working in a supply center of a local hospital.  Jeremy was proudly wearing a sticker noting that he is a valued and essential worker—he has been going to work each day (except for Shabbat!) during the pandemic.

Jeremy grew up in a very committed Jewish family in the Washington, DC suburbs. I have known Jeremy for nearly 20 years many years as part of the Camp Ramah in New England community.   I worked with Jeremy in the Tikvah Program, and led a trip to Israel with Jeremy and several others nearly 20 years ago.

Jeremy spoke about what inclusion in the Jewish community really means.  He described how he was warmly embraced and welcome in to community member’s homes when he lived in New Haven, CT as part of a training program.  Jeremy was also warmly welcomed in to the Yale University Slifka Center community by students and by rabbis, and by rabbis and families in the larger community. Jeremy spoke fondly about a former New Haven, Chabad Rabbi, Yossi Hodakov, and by many Chabad Rabbis in the DC area.  Jeremy has shared with me that he regularly davens and (pre-Covid) eats with the loving Chabad Israel Center community close to his home.

David Ervin, Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes (JFGH), noted how hard it is to follow Jeremy as a speaker!  The JFGH provides individuals with developmental disabilities and/or chronic mental disorders with the opportunity to live independently within the community.

Everybody should find time on this short Friday to watch the inspiring interview with Jeremy and to pick up the phone to wish a friend or family member, “Shabbat Shalom.”  Thanks Jeremy for being such a great teacher!

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