Interviewing

Original Article Published on The Jerusalem Post

Jordan Farmar is carefully moving around the court, shooting three pointers and free throws. This is despite a groin injury, which has kept him out of the New Jersey Nets lineup for four straight games. It was only a week ago that Farmar’s three-point last-minute score led the Nets to victory. Towards the end of a practice session at the New Jersey Nets training facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the bearded 1.88 m, 82 kg guard sat down with the Jerusalem Post to discuss basketball and life in America and Israel.

The 25-year-old Farmar grew up in Los Angeles, California. His father is African-American and Christian. His step-father, who raised him and is a huge influence on Farmar, is Israeli and Jewish. Farmar studied at UCLA and was the 26th pick in the first round of the 2006 NBA draft. He played with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2006-2010, has played with the New Jersey Nets since 2010 to the present and played for Maccabi Tel Aviv for four months, during the recent NBA strike. His teams have won the NBA championship twice and he was selected as Euroleague Player of the Week in November, 2011. Farmar wears number 2 and averages 10.6 points per game.

You are very close to Omri Casspi. Did you get to hang out with him when the Cleveland Cavaliers were in town recently? How is he doing?

I saw him last Monday night. He is in a tough spot.The NBA is a big business. He’s gotta keep working. It goes up and down if you are not a super star player. I know he had an injury recently and is trying to get back in form.

How did you guys first meet?

For a while, I was the only Jewish player in the NBA. Then he got drafted and joined me! He is the first Israeli-born player. He came to town to play us – we connected around Israel and being Jewish.

What is your best move? How would you describe your style?

Up tempo. Get people involved. Score when need to. Be able to run a team. I like to get out and run, set a screen, make a pass. I appreciate a good game of basketball and people who understand the game.

What is the main difference between basketball in the NBA/US and Israel?

There are superstar players in the US like Lebron, Kobe, Dwight, Howard. You don’t see guys like that overseas. They are incredible. In Israel, the little things are appreciated — the pass and the assist are appreciated as much as the actual stats. And it seems to be about winning – guys want to win. Here, the business of basketball can sometimes get in the way.

What was it like playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv during the strike? You were a Euroleague player of the Week in November, 2011! Was your role different on your Israel team?

I played for four months “I played a lot ” maybe 30 games. In Israel, my team would go as far as I could take them. Here I back up Deron Williams, probably the best point guard in the world!

How were you received in Israel?

Everybody embraced me. I was very welcomed, and wanted and appreciated for having made the decision to play. I felt like I was at home it was a whole family atmosphere wherever I went.

How is your Hebrew?

It is not my strong point! I can definitely understand conversations, I can understand what is going on and I can get my get point across, but I don’t speak well.

What is your relationship with Israel?

My stepfather is from Tel Aviv and we have a lot of family in Israel in the Shabazi neighborhood of Tel Aviv. My daughter, my fiance and I spent a lot of time with family during our four months in Israel.

Tell us about the basketball camp for Israeli Jewish and Palestinian children you were involved with:

I got involved through my agent, who is Jewish. It started with the Seeds of Peace. They bring kids from different conflict areas Egypt, Jordan, all over. They all come to a summer camp in Maine. They live together, sleep together, eat together. I spent a day there during my first year. Then I worked with them in Israel in 2008. It is through the Peres Peace Center. They have eight camps all over the country. At the beginning of the program, kids argue. Then, with sport as the medium, they forget about everything they were taught (about the others). They are “just kids” they work together to accomplish a goal. And they high five each other.

Any plans to do it again?

(Smiling). I got pretty busy winning an NBA championship, free agency, having a baby….

It sounds like your Israeli step dad was a pretty important influence on you.

My dad was always around, but my step dad was with me every day. My step dad raised me. We are close. He worked six days a week. He instilled good values in me. He is the only person I know who can wake up without an alarm at the time he planned to wake up. He is disciplined and responsible. Aman! A great father figure. He was in the army in Israel.

Does your step dad get to watch you play?

He is a huge Lakers fan. He loves to watch me play. It was great to be part of that team. When he came to the States, he loved Magic (Johnson), (Nick) Van Exel, Eddie Jones, Kobe, and Shaq.

Were you connected to the LA Jewish and Israeli community?

Growing up in LA was great! I love LA! We were a Jewish household. We had visitors from Israel and family coming in and out. I went to Hebrew school, had a bar mitzvah….

What is your favorite Israeli food?

Malawah.


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Omri Casspi on meeting up with Gilad Shalit, what it’s like to wear number 36, and life as the only Israeli playing in the NBA

NEW YORK — Basketball player Omri Casspi achieved overnight rock star status in 2009 when he was drafted 23rd overall in the first round by the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Casspi signed a three-year contract worth $3.5 million and became the first Israeli to play in the NBA.

Casspi averaged 10.8 and 8.6 points per game in his two seasons with the Kings, and in 2010, he was selected to play in both the NBA All-Star Weekend Rookie Challenge and NBA All-Star Weekend H–O–R–S–E Competition. On June 30, 2011, Casspi and a 2012 first round draft pick were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for forward/center J.J. Hickson.

Throughout Casspi’s NBA career, he has taken very seriously what he perceives as his role as ambassador of Israel and the Jewish People. Many United States communities have organized “Jewish Heritages Days” at their NBA stadiums, and Casspi has patiently posed for pictures and signed hundreds of autographs.


‘I feel happy being Israeli and Jewish every time I step on the court’

“I feel great pride being Jewish and Israeli, and a lot of responsibility. I feel happy being Israeli and Jewish every time I step on the court,” Casspi told The Times of Israel Wednesday.

Casspi was born into a sporting family. Father Shimon is an accomplished tennis player, mother Eliana was a competitive basketball player and sister Aviv played basketball for Elitzur Holon. Brother Eitan often travels in the States with Omri.

As a child in Israel, Omri Casspi played basketball for several local teams and at age 13, moved to the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth team. By age 17, Casspi turned pro and played for Maccabi Tel Aviv. He was drafted by the Kings at age 21, after he had completed his mandatory three-year service with the IDF.

Casspi signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv during the 2011 NBA lockout and intended to join the team if the lockout was not resolved.

The 161-day lockout, which began on July 1, 2011, ended on December 8, 2011, and a shortened season began on December 25th. Casspi is averaging 22.8 minutes per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers with 3.4 rebounds and 7.7 points.

Casspi spoke with The Times of Israel in the visitors’ locker room at Manhattan’s Madison Square Garden prior to Wednesday night’s heartbreaking 120-103 loss to the New York Knicks; the Cavaliers led at the half 61 to 49.

Omri Casspi taking a shot at Wednesday’s game.

There is a picture of you and Gilad Shalit which appeared all over the Internet and Facebook yesterday. What is the story behind the picture and meeting?

Gilad Shalit came to Orlando for the NBA All Star Weekend last weekend. He wanted to keep it off the media. Nobody really knew he was there. He wanted to have quality time with his family and a few really good friends. We had dinner. It was very emotional for me.

How did he seem?

He seems fine. First of all, he is a big fan of basketball. I was honored to be around him and have dinner with him and talk.

How did you choose number 36?

[Smiling] Double Chai! I wore 18 in Sacramento. I come to Cleveland and Anthony Parker wore that number. I was going to either cut it in half and take 9 or double it — double chai — so I took 36.

Were you disappointed that you didn’t get to play for Macabi Tel Aviv, or were you happy to just get on with the season after the lockout? Were you in Israel during the lockout? Are you in touch with NBA player Jordan Farmar (who also played for Maccabi Tel Aviv)?

I was in States working out. I never got a chance to go to Israel. I was happy and disappointed — both! I kind of wanted to play for Macabi Tel Aviv a little bit and see my family. I am happy I am playing basketball for Cleveland.

I am very friendly with Jordan. We are great friends. He is a great guy. He did a lot of great things for Maccabi Tel Aviv this year. [Farmar actually played for Maccabi during the lockout — he returned to the New Jersey Nets after the lockout ended]

What has the adjustment been like — to a new team and to a new Jewish community?

Because of the lockout, we had no training camp and no summer activities with my new team — we didn’t have time to bond with the guys. We are going to get close this summer.

The Jewish community — wherever we go, West or East — there are a lot of people with flags. They come to support me, invite me for chagim…

Has the Jewish community’s excitement for you died down over time?

I get a warm reception. It has always been great.

Is there a communication gap between the Jewish communities of the US and Israel?

In Israel, we are not seen as a Jewish community. We are a country. It is a little different. Here, in the United States, people really get together. I think the two do understand each other — absolutely. In Israel, we support the Jewish people of the US, and the Jewish people in the US have a lot of influence — political, etc. I have been here 2 or 3 years now — I don’t think we [Israel] would have a country without the people of the United States.

Any ideas what you will do after basketball?

[Laughing.] No, I am still thinking about my basketball career. Not yet!

Jeremy Lin? [The Knicks’ Chinese American Harvard grad sensation]

I played against him before — when he was with Golden State. It is a really nice story. What a big step forward he made. Really nice story.

How do you relate to the Jeremy Lin story?

Everybody can relate in a way. When I first got here, many believed I could not play in the NBA. Then, I got better. When you see a guy like Jeremy Lin, it is inspirational.

(Source: http://www.timesofisrael.com

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Original Article Published on The Jerusalem Post

A D’’ash exclusive with singers Idan Raichel and India Arie

For the past 10 years, Idan Raichel has been one of Israel’s most popular, unique and beloved musicians. Unlike most band leaders who stand at the center of the stage, Idan, with his long dreadlocks, thick hair band and baggy pants, sits at his keyboard at the far left of his stage. In extensive tours of Israel and the world, the composer and director prefers to showcase his enchanting blend of musicians – from various countries in African, Latin America and the Caribbean – and their unique sounds.

As the director of the Idan Raichel Project, the 34-year-old from Kfar Saba shares a message of tolerance and love. He has changed the face of Israeli music. Idan Raichel has grown from being a nine-year-old accordion player to an Israeli Army Band musician, to a counselor at a boarding school for immigrants and troubled youth, to the leader of the always evolving Idan Raichel Project, which has so far released three platinum albums.

Now, Idan Raichel is composing music with India Arie, the famous African-American singer songwriter who has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide and won four Grammy Awards.
Raichel and Arie performed their song, ‘Gift of Acceptance’ at last year’s Nobel Peace Prize awards. The pair will release their new album, called Open Door, album in March 2012.

D’’ash reporter Howard Blas caught up with India and Idan following their concert at New York City’s Beacon Theater.

D’’ASH: When did you guys first meet?
India: I was traveling in Israel in 2008 and was exploring historical sites. I left the tour early and went down to Tel Aviv. I like to explore the music traditions and the populations of a place. I asked people “who are the forward thinking people with intelligent lyrics?” Everyone said “Idan Raichel,” so I arranged to meet him.
Idan: I am a big fan of India’s. I was very happy such an established American artist is so open-minded to explore music from other parts of the world. When she came to Israel, it was a really cool dream to have an American singer singing with us in English. I realized there was good chemistry between us so we wrote a whole album together.

D’’ASH: What attracts you to each other? 
Idan: India is very modest and artistic, and she has a lot of confidence. Sometimes in art and hip hop culture, there are a lot of sexy elements. India presents herself in a very modest way with a lot of grace. It is beautiful to see.
India: We just have very similar musical tastes. When I hear his chord progression and melodies, I like it, but even more, I feel it is something I should be singing. I love his music and relate to it and want to sing it. That happens rarely! 

D’’ASH: Your New York concert took place the the very same day Gilad Shalit was released. What was your reaction when you heard that he was home? Tell us about your hopes and dreams for the Middle East.
Idan: It is a new year in Israel. I hope it will be a year of building foundations for peace. I hope that all prisoners who went back to their side and Gilad Shalit, who came to our side, will represent a movement for fighting for peace and not wars.
India: Idan first told me the story of Gilad Shalit when I went to Israel in September, 2010. I don’t know enough about Gilad Shalit and his situation. But it is always beautiful to see someone survive. I hope the prisoners released will commit to peace. It was interesting to be up close with three Israeli musicians from Idan’s band and see how they felt. It was very moving to hear them debating. All had different points of view about the prisoners being released. In the end, they were happy about the release; whatever their previous beliefs had been, they were all happy he was out.

D’’ASH: Can you describe the message of your song ‘Gift of Acceptance?’ What what was it like performing it at the Nobel Prize ceremony?
Idan: The melody I had in Israel for the past three or four years.

I sent it to India and she wrote beautiful lyrics. It was everything she wanted to say until now and couldn’t say it, until today. “Gift of Acceptance’ turned out to be one of the most beautiful songs on Open Door. The song represents the idea that people all over the world, regardless of race, gender, and political views, can join together and become a big community.
India: It was satisfying and fun and not only because it was at such a prestigious event. My whole life, I have been committed to making music in the name of peace. It was fulfilling to be there and to be singing a song I feel passionate about! It is aligned with my values.

D’’ASH: What was your funniest moment on tour? 
Idan: To go on stage and start to say, “Good Evening New York, or LA, or Denver” and then pause and realize you don’t even know where you are! 
India: At our last show of the tour, we were playing Open Door music. There is one part where I sing a song in three part harmony with my back up singers (we sing like sisters!) Anyway, during the show, Idan and Gilad and Yankele (his musicians) surprised me. They suddenly came out from backstage with one microphone, pretending to do the three part harmony. It was terrible! 

D’’ASH: What advice can you give to young musicians? 
Idan: Do it in YOUR way; follow your own dreams and inspirations. Learn from the past to build your own foundations for what you want to do in the future.
India: Know that you have to do what you love. Sometimes you do what you THINK will make money or will be popular. When you do what you really love, things fall in to place in a special way.

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Original Article published on The Jerusalem Post

Our American correspondent goes one on one with Israel’s first NBA player

He is a rock star! Sacramento Kings assistant coach Mario Elie said as he watched from the side of the court at New York City famed Madison Square Garden. Rookie Omri Casspi smiled as he signed pictures, jerseys and even Israeli flags for loyal Jewish and Israeli fans. I’m excited to be part of Omripalooza! commented another fan. When Casspi began addressing the pre-game crowd on Jewish Heritage Night, thousands began chanting, Omri Casspi! He patiently answered the questions which he has been answering in stadiums across the country: What is it like being the first Israeli in the NBA? Who are your heroes? Do you miss Israel?.

Casspi, 21, has had a very successful rookie year. The handsome, good natured forward from Yavne has become a true star and fan favorite on and off the court. He averages 11 points, five rebounds and one assist per game, scored a career high 24 points against the Phoenix Suns, and participated in the Rookies versus Sophomore game and the HORSE competition at the 2010 NBA All Star Game.

Casspi had a great night against the Knicks. At the post-game press conference, Casspi was flocked by American and Israeli reporters. One noted the irony: 18 points – CHAI – for number 18 in the purple Kings jersey!

Casspi’s Jewish Heritage Tour continued recently in New Jersey, against the Nets. Or Rujdera was lucky enough to be visiting the States from Netanya and came to the game with his father. Or, decked out in his bright purple #18 Sacramento Kings jersey wasn’t at all disappointed by Casspi scoring only two points, seconds before the final buzzer. The seventeen year old was proud that he and his friends get up at 4am in Israel twice a week to watch Casspi play. Just a few short years ago, Casspi himself was waking up at 4am to watch his hero, Michael Jordan, play basketball!

Casspi was born into a sporting family and began playing basketball at an early age. He played for several local teams and at age 13 moved to the Maccabi Tel Aviv youth team. At 17, Casspi turned pro, playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv. In 2009, Casspi was drafted in the first round (23rd overall) by the Sacramento Kings, signing a three year contract worth $3.5 million.

The Casspi family is very close and very athletic. His brother, Eitan, lives and travels with him while in the States. His sister, Aviv, 16, is a serious basketball player for Elitzur Holon and may even make it to the WNBA. His father, Shimon is a great tennis player and mother, Eliana, was a competitive basketball player herself. They take turns coming to the States to watch Omri play!

Casspi understands what it means to represent Israel and the Jewish People. I feel great pride being Jewish and Israeli, and a lot of responsibility. I feel happy being Israeli and Jewish every time I step on the court. At the end of the season, he will return to Israel and play for Israel’s National Team.

Casspi is truly blessed; he is a talented athlete surrounded by supportive family, teammates and fans. And he is a true mentsch! We have high hopes for Casspi as he continues to be Israel’s ambassador around the world.

Do you miss Israel?
 I miss home. My family and friends are there. But I have gotten used to living in the States; it is pretty comfortable now.

Do you ever feel affected by the current political situation between the US and Israel?
I’m reading and trying to be as connected as possible. However, I’m mostly focusing on basketball.

What is your current relationship with Maccabi Electra?
 They are my friends and it was my home for over 8 years.

Tell us about your sister, Aviv, and her hopes for the WNBA.
She is 16 and plays for Elitzur Holon. She is very talented. We pray for her. You never know!

Who are your mentors at the Kings?
 Francisco Garcia (#32, a guard) has really shown me the ropes.

What has been the biggest adjustment playing in the NBA?
Getting used to the athleticism, physicality and nightly games.

You have worn lots of different numbers so far. Now you are wearing #18…
I wear #18 because it is symbolic to our Jewish community. It means life. I plan to wear it from now on!

Tell us about your army service.
Army service is an important part of growing up in Israel. I did it, my brother did it, my father all my friends. I was a sports counselor for three years. I taught, refereed and played. The army really helped me. It was a good experience.

What does it mean to you to be the first Israeli in the NBA?
 It is a great honor. I am trying to be the best player and the best example I can be.

Favorite Jewish holiday?
 Chanukah. I love sufganiyot!

Did you celebrate your bar mitzvah?
 Yes, at home in Israel. I went to my local synagogue on Shabbat, read Torah, everything. We took a family trip to the States, which is when the Nike Commercial was filmed.

Other sports you love?
 Soccer and tennis.

Favorite food other than hummus?
 Italian pasta, chicken, pizza.

Shoe size?
 13. At games I usually wear black Nike’s with a white swoosh.

Favorite movie?
 Currently Avatar. In general, Lord of the Rings.

Favorite music?
 I love Israeli music Shlomo Artzi, Eyal Golan, Muki.

How did you spend Yom Haatzmaut?
 I was at home in Israel with my family and friends having a barbecue!

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