Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija is proudly representing Israel and Judaism on and off the court.
The 20-year-old Israeli is having a good second season in the NBA and finally having opportunities to interact with the local Jewish community. Avdija lit the menorah on the fifth night of Chanukah at the Rockville Town Center in Montgomery County, Md., 20 miles north of the team’s Capital One Arena.
He wore a white kipah, chanted the blessings, signed autographs, answered questions from fans and expressed appreciation to the members of the Jewish community who helped him celebrate his first Hanukkah away from family.
“I want to say thank you to the people who came here and supported me and light the menorah with me. Those little things with the community, especially with the Jewish community, it’s not easy to celebrate the first Hanukkah out of home,” he said.
Avdija elaborated on Thursday night’s “in-person-with-fans” event during Friday’s post-practice media session. “It was pure enjoyment to meet and share this special moment,” he said. “The love and support the Jewish community game me is unreal!”
Avdija, who is currently the only Israeli playing in the NBA, has always looked to the example set by Omri Casspi and Nadav Henefield—Israelis who also had distinguished basketball careers in the United States. “I saw what they did and knew I wanted to do that, too. I aimed for that from a young age.”
In fact, he takes his role quite seriously. “It is great representing Israel; I am trying to do my best on and off the court to give pride to my country.”
And he noted that he has always loved the “Festival of Lights.”
“My mother had a special connection to this holiday,” he related. “This is the holiday we focused most on. It is just good vibes—this holiday in Israel when I was growing up. You had sufganiyot everywhere, the songs, the menorahs … everywhere. It is just one of my favorite holidays for sure. And I wait every year to celebrate it again and again.”
On a health digression, Avdija reported that he was “not feeling well” and was “a little tired.” He is listed as “questionable-non-COVID illness” for the Friday home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Wizards, 14-8, are coming off an eight-point win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking their eighth home win of the season.
On Sunday, the Wizards begin a three-game road trip versus Toronto, Indiana and Detroit, and will play the next nine of 10 games on the road.
Avdija is averaging 6.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 20 minutes of playing time per game. He is second on the team in blocked shots.
“I feel stronger, more experienced,” he said, “am getting fewer foul calls and am learning something new and getting better every day.”
When Pascale Bercovitch made aliyah from France at age 17, she had no money, no friends, and no legs. But the always upbeat Bercovitch arrived with a positive attitude, determination to serve in the IDF, and a firm commitment from the esteemed Brig.-Gen. Aharon Davidi to make that happen – even if she was a recent amputee.
Now, the 54-year-old Tel Aviv resident is a seasoned Paralympian, motivational speaker, writer, mother of two and very happy longtime Tel Aviv resident. The Paralympic medalist, who has participated in three sports – handcycling, rowing and kayaking – over four Paralympics, recently returned from the Paralympics in Tokyo. Back home, she is also a local hero at the boathouse along the Yarkon River, and an advocate for accessibility and for people with disabilities in general.
Bercovitch took off 10 days to rest after returning from the recent Tokyo Paralympics, then immediately got back in her kayak. “I have to paddle! It is like with hunger – a person has to eat!”
She is still seriously considering competing in the 2024 Paralympics, which are to be held in Paris, not far from where she grew up. For now, Bercovitch has been good to herself. “I am training daily but doing one instead of two workouts a day.”
Bercovitch has many projects on her to-do list. “I have a lot to do, including a book about my life.”
HANDBIKING IN London, 2012. (credit: IPC)
She is also a sought-after motivational speaker. And she wants to spend more time with her daughters – 12-year-old Mica will soon celebrate her bat mitzvah, and 20-year-old Eden, who is a soldier with elite sports status. Eden just so happens to excel in the same sport as her mother – rowing, and is a member of the Israeli National Kayaking Team.
Bercovitch’s interest in Israel is remarkable, given how little she knew about Judaism or Israel growing up in France.
She was born in France to two parents who were also born in France. She was a good student, and enjoyed literature and French culture. Despite her strong French upbringing, she recounts, “I had a feeling from a young age that I didn’t fully belong to France, but I couldn’t say why.”
The precocious and contemplative Bercovitch was always thinking of ways to positively impact the world. “From age 13, I dreamed of living in a new country and building it.”
She had a sense that France was already “set,” and that there was little she could do to effect change. Everything in France and Europe is stuck, she thought, and turned her sights to other places in the world, including Africa.
She secretly began sending her weekly allowance money (“meant for things like buying croissants!”) to Doctors Without Borders. “My parents eventually discovered it when I started getting mail from the organization!”
As Bercovitch dreamed of living in another country and helping the local people, she was hearing stories from her father of the hardships people living in Communist countries were experiencing. He spoke of relatives who had lived in Poland and Romania, and he explained about life in Soviet countries.“
I wanted to go there. I wanted to change the world,” offers Bercovitch.
HER LONG journey to Israel started at age 15 when she chanced upon a Jewish radio program by Gérard Benhamou. “I began to listen to the Jewish radio. We had one frequency for Jewish radio in French; we do until today. I secretly listened to the program three times a week, under my blanket at night!” reports Bercovitch. “I knew I am half Jewish, but didn’t know what it means. Suddenly, I heard about this small country that has a very big vision and I thought, okay, I am also small and I also have a big vision.”
Bercovitch notes that her identification with Israel was in its early stages and she was very excited when Benhamou had a special guest – Brig.-Gen. Aharon Davidi, speaking about his new Sar-El program.
“We are inviting guests, Jewish or not, to have a three- or four-week experience in the army – and we pay for the ticket,” said Davidi.
Bercovitch was trying to recall whether the program paid for all or part of the ticket. But she vividly remembers her reaction to hearing Davidi speak. “I felt like I got a big boom on my head from a hammer – I jumped from bed, got a pen and paper to write down the contact information, and called the next day.”
She was disappointed to learn that she needed to be 19 but was not discouraged. “I won’t wait a year and a half!”
Bercovitch told her parents some of the story of the opportunity that potentially awaited. “I told my parents I found a way to have a free holiday abroad. I told them I was too young, but I didn’t tell them it was for Israel.”
Her parents, knowing how mature and beyond her years Pascale was, said that they would explain to the program organizers that she was “not a usual kid!”
BERCOVITCH MADE her first trip to Israel at age 17. “I didn’t want to come as a tourist – I wanted to come and help!”
She loved the experience and was overjoyed when Davidi came to visit France. Davidi, who died in 2012, was the head of the IDF Paratrooper and Infantry Corps, became the director of Community and Cultural Activities of the Golan and Jordan Valley, and was the founder of Sar-El. He came to France and told Bercovitch, “I heard you were the youngest on the program!”
She shared her passion for Israel and her desire to one day serve in the army. “He loved me! He gave me his business card and said, ‘If you come, I want to help you.’”
Then she experienced the unimaginable: On her way to school one wintry day when she was 17, she slipped on ice at a train station and was pulled under a train. The driver did not see her as it was early morning. As Bercovitch waited for help to arrive, she realized both of her legs had been severed at the thigh.
In spite of this life-altering event, Bercovitch set her sights on Israel. “I told my mother, ‘Please call Sara-El and tell them I’m going to be a little late [in coming to Israel and to the army].” She adds, “The accident was in December 1984, and I had a secret plan to start the army in 1985. My mother did not know what she was doing.”
To this day, Bercovitch is amazed and appreciative that Davidi came to visit her in the hospital in Paris in March 1985. “I remember it was snowing. He was a very special, generous and very tough man. I called him Paddington since he had a kova tembel [round, brimless hat] and a big beard.
“He said, ‘I heard about the accident, and despite having no legs, you are always welcome.’ He said he was ready to keep his word and wanted to help me. It was one of the best days of my life!”
She continues, “Six months after the accident, I called him and said I am coming. He asked if I was done with my treatment. I said yes. I lied! He knew. I took a ticket and flew from Paris to Tel Aviv.”
Bercovitch’s army service was a little mundane, though useful for a new olah acclimating to life in Israel. “I was preparing coffee and food. It was boring, but I learned Hebrew!”
She also reports that she spent her time in the army learning about the language, the culture of Israel, and the realities of her new physical condition.
After her army service, Bercovitch had a successful journalism career and split her time between Israel and France. “I traveled a lot and had two apartments – one in Tel Aviv and one in Paris.”
Thanks to Davidi, Bercovitch was also introduced to sports. “He arranged for me to do sports at the pool two times a week, and I was on the national swim team.”
Bercovitch then became a motivational speaker. She can’t stop speaking about Davidi. “He opened the army gates to paraplegics. All that I am today is because he believed in me.”
As Bercovitch looks back on her many years in Israel, she is pleased with all that she has accomplished, yet she remains honest about the many challenges she has faced.“
I had to always be inventive and manage. It was very tough. When I got here I had $100, a suitcase and wheelchair. I had no family support. I was 17. I was totally alone. And nothing was accessible 37 years ago. There were stairs everywhere!”
Even when Bercovitch became a Paralympic athlete at age 40, she faced challenges. “They said I was too old to do anything. And there was no money! No financial support and no psychological support.”
She has thus far managed to complete in four Paralympic games, and she just might go for her fifth. “I am not saying I won’t be in Paris [for the next Paralympic Games]. I may!”
For now, Bercovitch enjoys being a mother to her two daughters, and takes being a role model for disabled and nondisabled athletes very seriously. “People know me, and it is an amazing feeling. For example, recently a class of 10-year-olds with their teacher stopped at the boathouse and said, ‘This is Pascale!’ It is worth it to be a model to these kids. I bring the values of what I am able to do. I am aware of what I can bring. I want people to identify, to understand, to react properly.”
Bercovitch concludes, “I love Israel. I love the people, the weather and the sea. My kids are fully Israeli and thank me for raising them here. I love everything – except for the bureaucracy!”
There was something for everybody as Kosherfest returns after a pandemic-induced break.
NEW YORK — Kosherfest, the trade show of the kosher food industry, returned to its longtime home at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, after being put on hold last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The two-day gathering, held in a large exhibition space just six miles from Manhattan’s Times Square, brings together the various important players in the kosher food industry, including food and beverage manufacturers of all sizes and numbers of years in business, store owners, caterers, restaurant owners, providers of kosher travel packages, chefs, labeling, packaging and shipping companies, food writers and bloggers and others.
Attendees all shared an interest in sampling new and classic food and beverage offerings, made potentially beneficial and profitable business connections, and accumulated as many free samples as possible — food samples, pens and tote bags.
Kosherfest 2021 offered a glimpse of what a major trade show could look like as the world slowly comes out of the restrictions of the pandemic. A food show with edibles to sample would need to adhere to a high standard of safety.
Signs at the entrance noted “Face Masks Strongly Recommended” regardless of vaccination status, and also offered “sampling guidelines,” assuring attendees that “Kosherfest exhibitors are prioritizing health and safety by following these basic food sampling guidelines,” including facemasks, gloves and tongs.
The entrance to Kosherfest 2021. (credit: HOWARD BLAS)
Despite the precautions set in place, the guidelines were not followed by everyone. Once attendees passed through this year’s particularly tight security, some were not wearing masks or gloves – and neither were some exhibitors. Few seemed mindful of social distancing conventions.
WHILE MORE than 300 exhibitors lined the aisles at the convention center, these numbers pale in comparison to pre-pandemic shows. “We are missing 61 companies, including more than 30 from Israel,” said organizer Menachem Lubinsky, president and CEO of LUBICOM Marketing Consulting, founding publisher of Kosher Today and a leading authority on the kosher food market.
But Lubinsky, a veteran of the kosher food industry, took an optimistic view and was not discouraged.
“There are lots of new products here and lots of business is being done,” he said. “It was important for the show to go on because the industry continues to grow at such a phenomenal pace in the US.“
We now have a whole network of independent kosher food stores and supermarkets, stores that are 20,000-50,000 square feet that used to be reserved for the national chains. Now we have independent kosher supermarkets that are doing that. Demographics are driving the growth of the kosher food industry here.”
This was Lubinsky’s 32nd year organizing Kosherfest.“When we first started the show, a place like Lakewood [NJ] had 17,000 kosher consumers; today it has 90,000. One distributor said he used to make one trip a week out there. Now, he does almost two a day. So, I feel good about the show, I feel this is going to be only the prelude to a much greater event next year – and hopefully Covid will be further on the decline, and international travel will pick up.”
Ben Aviva, CEO of Churros Original from Kiryat Malachi was one of the lucky foreign businesses to make it to Kosherfest.“
My father saw churros at a mall in Spain 15 years ago,” said Aviva, who noticed that kosher churros are not yet carried in the US. Aviva felt that interest in his fried dough product grew because of the pandemic. “People didn’t want to deep freeze at home – it is too much headache. This takes five minutes from freezer to the oven to eating.”
Sharon Feldman Vazan of the KLBD (Kosher London Beth Din) said that she had no trouble getting to the show, despite coming from Europe. She and her colleagues acted quickly once travel restrictions were lifted on November 8 for fully vaccinated European travelers. Feldman Vazan reports feeling “so thrilled” to be at the show which was “a better event than expected.”
JENNIFER KIM, Director of Business Development for the Government of Israel, currently works in New York at Israel’s Economic Mission to the US as part of the Foreign Trade Administration at the Israel Ministry of the Economy. She is tasked with promoting trade and investment between Israel and the US.
Kim had an especially important role at this year’s show, given travel issues for many Israeli companies. Lubinsky reports that the Israel pavilion traditionally houses 25 booths, but most were unable to attend. At this year’s show, Kim fielded various inquiries from people interested in doing business with Israel.
For example, three Dutch businessmen approached her seeking assistance in importing a range of Israeli kosher products for their catering company. They were appreciative and cautiously optimistic that Kim would follow through on her promise to connect them with key Israeli businesses.
As the name suggests, Kosherfest is equal parts kosher food trade show, and eating and mingling festival for anyone even remotely connected to the kosher food industry. Spending several hours at Kosherfest walking down the long aisles is both tiring and satisfying.
Brooklyn’s Flaum Appetizing offered pizza slices, humus and pita, cheese and samples of minestrone and butternut squash soup to all who stopped by their booths. Promised Land beverages occupied booth 414, right next to Fins Import, offering samples of anchovy bondarilla with olives and cold smoked anchovy fillets.
Yaakov Charlap, owner of Matzot Charlap from Bet Shemesh, was giving out samples of shmurah (guarded) matzah. For those wondering why a matzah company was reminding people about Passover when it is more than five months away, he playfully stated: “Kosherfest was canceled last year; Pessah still came – and we are the best tasting matzah in Israel!”
Matzot Charlap from Bet Shemesh at Kosherfest. (credit: HOWARD BLAS)
TZIPPORAH ROTHKOPF, who converted to Judaism in 1980 and operates Seoul House, a Korean café near her home in Jerusalem’s Old City, was giving out samples of kimchi and other kosher Korean products. A few booths away, several other Koreans were offering tastes of K-BBQ Sauce, authentic Korean BBQ sauce which “can be used in various dishes such as bulgogi, galbi or japchae.”
Latonya King, of King Preferred, offered samples of dairy and pareve cake made from her cake mixes (“my personal favorite is our 4th flavor – banana pudding pound cake”). She describes herself as the first “Black kosher certified bakery mix business in the world,” and is proud to be using an ancient family recipe.
King Preferred booth at Kosherfest 2021. (credit: HOWARD BLAS)
David Guetta, a partner at California-based Mulami, was offering samples of artisanal charcuterie including salami Milano salt and pepper. He started the company five years ago using a method of fermenting and drying salami used for more than 1,000 years. “Growing up, I loved salami and couldn’t find it. I got obsessed and tried making it,” Guetta reports.
Mulami booth at Kosherfest. (credit: HOWARD BLAS)
There was also wine and liqueur available for sampling. Marushika Osman of KAS Spirits in Mahopac, New York, explains why she and her husband started KAS Krupnikas, a sweet alcoholic drink distilled with local honey and a secret blend of spices. “I lost my mind!” she joked before explaining that when her husband lost his job, she encouraged him to turn his hobby of making alcohol using his Lithuanian family’s recipe into a business.
There were also non-food items on display – kitchen appliances labeling machines and companies offering business loans. Sherry Wynograd of Hillside, New York got very excited when she walked past the Shabbulb booth, displaying a special light bulb which it is permissible to adjust for brightness on Shabbat. “It is the greatest thing ever. I got it for all of my kids!”
“The team has the name Israel on its jersey. It is important that they will know what Israel looks like—the culture, the people, the history, the food. It will give them a nice taste of what it looks like and feels like to be here,” said Guy Niv, a cyclist with Team Israel Start-Up Nation.
Guy Niv
When Team Israel Start-Up Nation cyclist Guy Niv connects with his fellow riders, it usually requires flying from Ben-Gurion International Airport to Europe or some other far-off destination for a training ride or a race. This past Friday, Niv had a different airport experience—he greeted his fellow riders at Ben-Gurion they arrived for their first full-team visit to Israel since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and the recent opening of the gates to tourism in the country.
“It is super-nice to welcome everyone to Israel—and to go to training from home with no flights, no packing,” he declared.
The 27-year-old, who lives in Atzmon in Israel’s north, said “my girlfriend took me to the airport to meet the team.” Niv spoke with JNS from the team bus as they headed to Jerusalem for a packed weekend of festivities that will include some riding, but mostly touring, bonding, meet-and-greets with Israelis and a Sunday reception for the team at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.
Israel Start-Up Nation—its first professional cycling team—was established in 2015 and includes riders from Israel and abroad. The team began to compete at a higher level when Sylvan Adams joined as a co-owner alongside Ron Baron. The team has competed in its first Grand Tour, joined the WorldTour (the highest level of professional cycling) and secured a spot in the 2020 Tour de France. In 2021, Israeli rider Itamar Einhorn defeated ex-world champion Peter Sagan to claim the first WorldTour victory by an Israeli.
Adams is impressed with his team and not at all disappointed that they won’t spend the majority of their time on intensive rides. “This will be a more relaxed camp—more of a tourism and bonding camp—and will permit the team to experience some of the marvels of Israel,” he said. Israel Start-Up Nation is currently ranked in the top 10 in the world for the first time in its history and enjoyed 17 victories this season.
Riding legend Chris Froome, 36, who has won the Tour de France four times in addition to other prestigious bike races, is looking forward to being in Israel and doing some riding.
Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froom greets some of his younger fans during a stop outside of Jerusalem by members of Team Israel Start-Up Nation. Source: Twitter.
Back in the country since his last race in Spain, Niv recounted that he hiked in the desert with friends and celebrated his brother’s recent marriage, and now looks forward to spending time with his teammates. Now, it’s back to training-related events. He reported that there will only be two or three team rides; he and his Israeli teammates are scheduled to lead one in the Golan Heights.
Niv sees this trip as an important opportunity for his fellow riders to truly experience Israel. “The team has the name Israel on its jersey. It is important that they will know what Israel looks like—the culture, the people, the history, the food. It will give them a nice taste of what it looks like and feels like to be here.”
He noted that while his fellow riders are “athletes, not politicians,” they are often asked about the situation in Israel. “The best way for them to answer is to be here a bit and see. They will have a chance to form their own opinions.”
Israeli teammate Itamar Einhorn, 24, said he sees a benefit in bringing the team to Israel: “I’m always excited to show our riders what the country has to offer.”
Cyclists with Team Start-Up Nation Israel tour Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Credit: Noa Arnon/Cycling Academy LTD.
‘I didn’t expect so many fans’
The team has already met and interacted with hundreds of devoted fans. On their first morning of ISN Homecoming Camp in Israel, fans met riders, got autographs and posed for selfies as they rode from Jerusalem to the summit of Nes Harim in the Judean hills, the largest meet-up destination for cyclists in Israel, and hosted a morning coffee stop at the Bar Bahar restaurant in the Jerusalem Forest in Bar Giora.
“I didn’t expect so many fans and riders,” acknowledged Froome. Later in the day on Saturday, they took a walking tour of the Old City and the Western Wall.
At the Sunday event, Israeli President Isaac Herzog enthusiastically greeted the riders, saying: “We welcome the team whole-heartedly, and we bless you that you are representing Jerusalem and Israel in the world of cycling. This team shows incredible professionalism, and we are honored to have you all here. We are very proud that you are formatting into a world-class team, and we believe that you will only continue to get better and get more results next year.”
Herzog shared his enthusiasm for the delegation’s visit on Twitter: “Thrilled to welcome back to Israel the incredible cyclists of @TeamIsraelSUN, including world legend @chrisfroome, after a season with a top-ten team ranking and 17 international wins! Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Israel at lightning speed!”
Cyclists with Team Start-Up Israel meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Credit: Noa Arnon/Cycling Academy LTD.
‘We try to use the sport to build bridges’
Adams has been involved with many high-profile events in Israel designed to showcase the land and its people. They include bringing Madonna to the Eurovision Song Contest in Israel in 2010 and donating $5 million to SpaceIL, the organization working to land the first Israeli spacecraft on the moon.
He said he is pleased that the riders have the opportunity to visit Israel and that Israeli supporters get to spend time with them. “It’s very important for us to bring the team here to introduce the riders to our home country to make them understand what Israel is as we are ambassadors for the nation. We don’t have a brand sponsor like other teams; our brand is Israel, and we carry the name everywhere we go. Another mission of ours is to help make the world a better place, and we try to use the sport to build bridges and to make new friends around the world.”
Prior to the trip, Froome reported, “I am very much looking forward to finally being able to visit Israel. Throughout this year, I have really felt the heart-warming support from the Israeli fans, and I can’t wait to meet them in person and thank them for all their support.”
He made it a point to emphasize that he likes what he has seen so far: “I have so enjoyed being in Israel these last few days and would really like to come back with my family next year. In this team, one of our biggest visions is to inspire the new generation of Israeli cyclists. When we met our young fans, it was clear to see how they were all dreaming of becoming professional riders. You could their eyes sparkle when they met the team and to witness that vision of ours being realized right now is such a joy.”
The team started its schedule with a tour of the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum and memorial in Jerusalem on Sunday. Members visited Tel Aviv on Monday. They plan to meet with young riders to talk about cycling and racing at several schools once back up north. Additionally, the team will be presented at the Expo on Thursday, one day before the 2021 Ironman 70.3 Tiberias competition and its 2,000 competitors on Nov. 12.
Israel Start-Up Nation announced that Israeli riders Niv, Einhorn, Omer Goldstein and Guy Sagiv will stay with the team next year, maintaining an important Israeli presence on the team.
Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froom greets some of his younger fans during a stop outside of Jerusalem by members of Team Israel Start-Up Nation. Source: Twitter.
Cyclists with Team Start-Up Nation Israel tour Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Credit: Noa Arnon/Cycling Academy LTD.
Cyclists with Team Start-Up Israel meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Credit: Noa Arnon/Cycling Academy LTD.