Sport

The Original Article Published On The Jerusalem Post

No longer the face of Israeli tennis, retired star opens up about her impressive career and post-playing life

As Dudi Sela, Jonathan Erlich, and Yshai Oliel pack up their rackets, shoes and other tennis essentials and head to New York for the US Open, Shahar Pe’er, Israel’s greatest woman tennis player of all time, is staying put in Israel – baking, visiting relatives and sipping coffee with friends.

A very relaxed, upbeat Pe’er, who retired from tennis in February at the age of 29, will casually keep tabs on the Grand Slam event from afar as she plans the next phase of her post-tennis life.

Pe’er, who turned 30 in May, had a distinguished pro tennis career which included cracking the top 20 in both singles and doubles. After turning pro in 2004, Pe’er won five singles and three doubles titles on the Women’s Tennis Association tour and became the first Israeli woman to make the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tennis event, doing it twice in 2007, at both the Australian Open and US Open.

In 2008, Pe’er was ranked No. 14 in doubles. In 2011, she reached her best singles ranking of No. 11 in the world.

Pe’er’s career highlights include becoming the first Israeli ever to compete at a WTA tournament in the Arabian Peninsula at the Qatar Total Open, and representing Israel at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2012 Olympics in London. She was also a devoted member of Israel’s Fed Cup team, compiling a 45-31 record.

Pe’er decided to retire after experiencing chronic inflammation in her right shoulder for more than two years. And she is really enjoying life post-tennis.

“It is nice to be home for a change – in my own bed, with my own sheets, doing my own laundry,” Pe’er told The Jerusalem Post, noting that people don’t often think of the routine events of daily life players on the professional tennis tour must forgo.

“It is nice not to pack every Sunday, and unpack, and to be with family, to celebrate birthdays and holidays at home, and to have no pressure.”

Pe’er, who has been playing tennis since the age of six-and-a-half, has begun lecturing to diverse audiences in Israel about her career, determination and hard work.

“I am happy to try and share what I have been through. I speak about dedication, about how I get myself out of tough situations on the court, sentences I used to say to myself when under pressure.”

Pe’er has thus far presented to children, pre-army 18-year-olds, special IDF army units, university students in Kiryat Shmona, and business leaders in the fields of banking and hi-tech.

She hopes to eventually present workshops outside of Israel as well.

Pe’er continues to work out regularly and stay in good shape physically. Even before officially announcing her retirement, Pe’er called her fitness coach and expressed interest in training for a marathon.

“It was my dream from the age of 15! He explained that it would require four or five months of training.”

In February, Pe’er ran the Tel Aviv Marathon.

“My family was there! It was really fun.”

Pe’er varies her workouts post marathon.

“I run once or twice a week, I do Pilates once a week, and I do a functional workout three days a week with a coach, focusing on running, weights and speed.”

Pe’er has even picked up a tennis racket “10 or 15 times” since retiring.

But fans hoping for a return to professional tennis should not be too optimistic.

“It was just for fun, with friends. It felt okay but I really don’t miss it!” Retirement has afforded Pe’er the opportunity to step back and reflect on her successful tennis career.

“There are so many memories. It is so hard to pick just one!” Pe’er is proud of helping the 2008 Israel Fed Cup Team reach the World Group, losing to Russia 4-1. She is proud of her two quarterfinal appearances in Grand Slams, including taking Serena Williams to a third set match at the 2007 Australian Open, before ultimately losing 3-6, 6-2, 8-6.

“That was huge!” And she is proud of her tournament titles.

“Each one of them is unique.”

Pe’er will always remember what happened to her and Israel leading up to a tennis tournament in Dubai.

“That was one of the biggest things in my career!” In 2009, Pe’er was refused entry to the United Arab Emirates because she was Israeli.

“I just wanted to play in the tournament, like any other player. I wanted to compete in this huge tournament.”

Venus Williams came to her defense, and Andy Roddick withdrew from the men’s tournament in protest. The incident attracted worldwide attention – and sanctions. The Wall Street Journal terminated its sponsorship and the Dubai organizers were fined a record $300,000 by the WTA . She was subsequently invited to play in 2010 and 2011.

Pe’er recalls, “2010 was more about breaking barriers in politics than sports.” She notes, “It was huge to get such support from these big players.”

Off court, Pe’er has also represented Israel with pride. In 2010, Pe’er led the March of the Living at the Auschwitz concentration camps, accompanied by mother, Aliza Pe’er and Holocaust survivor grandmother, Yuliana Eckstein.

“There are no words… It was so emotional, being next to my grandmother. She was from Slovakia and was in Auschwitz.”

Ms. Eckstein, who spent six months at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, died a year-and-a-half after participating in the March of the Living.

“I felt very privileged to do it, to walk with three generations.”

Israel and the tennis world appreciate all Pe’er has done for Israel tennis.

Asi Tuchmeyer, Chairman of the Israel Tennis Association admires Pe’er and is proud of her many accomplishments.

“She is one of the most successful Israeli athletes ever. During her 13-year career, Shahar modeled hard work, professionalism, and endless perseverance.

She was an ambassador of Israeli sport and tennis and led the Federation team to achieve their goals for more than a decade. We wish Shahar good luck in the future, and hope that, for Israeli tennis, a new Shahar Pe’er will be born!”

Shlomo Glickstein, CEO of the Israel Tennis Association and former No. 22 in the world, added: “For me, she is the biggest athlete in the history of the State, between her achievements throughout the years to her personality, and especially the very hard work, commitment, determination, and dedication to everything related to tennis – that is what characterized her.

“Shahar is a winner in her soul with an outstanding work ethic, which is rare in Israel and the world. For 13 years, Shahar sustained a high level career and reached extraordinary achievements, dedicated much to the Federation team and was fully involved throughout all the years with the ITA , her team and her family. I salute her for all of her achievements. A model athlete!” With the tennis world about to turn its attention to New York and the two-week US Open taking place from August 28 through September 10, Pe’er is watching from a distance.

“I don’t miss it, I don’t miss competing,” says Pe’er, but concedes, “I follow the scores… but not every day.”

Pe’er has fond memories of the US Open.

“I loved playing in the US Open. There was so much support from the fans. After Tel Aviv, New York is my favorite city!” While Pe’er does not closely follow Israel’s up and coming players, she notes that Yshai Oliel appears to be “the only one now with a bright future.”

Pe’er adds, “hopefully, other players will come along,” but she admits, “unfortunately, I don’t know too much.”

Would Pe’er consider a return to playing or coaching? “For now, I feel far away. I don’t see myself standing on the court for hours. It is too close to my [recent] retirement to think about it. Maybe in the future.”

For now, Pe’er is enjoying living in the present. She enjoys cooking and baking, working out, hanging out with friends and family, and spending time with her “pretty busy” heart surgeon boyfriend.

“I made the decision to retire and I am happy!”

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The Original Article Published On The Jerusalem Post

When Adam Bizonwaty visited Israel at age 8, he was afraid of everything.

“When my family went camel riding I stayed in the taxi cab crying. And I was terrified of the Dead Sea mud.”

Bitznowaty spoke with The Jerusalem Post by phone about his connection to Israel.

“I want to go back to Israel and take in more, and see everything.”

A future trip to the Holy Land would also allow Bitzonwaty to visit his grandmother and aunt, who still live in Israel. But his next trip may just have to wait.

While Biznowaty admits that he doesn’t know any Hebrew, he was able to figure out the correct spelling of the biblical verse from the Book of Exodus which appears on his left forearm.

“I looked it up, found how to write it, stenciled it, and found a tattoo artist to create it on me.”

Bizonwaty is likely to pick up Hebrew quickly when he has the time to learn it. He has an impressive college academic record and he is quick to learn complicated Giants plays. He graduated Pitt in only three years with a bachelor’s degree in communications, and he then completed a master’s degree in health and fitness.

As for his favorite Jewish experiences, Bisnowaty notes that “all of the Jewish holidays are great. The big thing is to be with the family!”

Despite his size and strength the new Giant admits he has never had Hagba (lifting the Torah after reading).

“Maybe I’ll do it one day,” he laughs.

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The Original Article Published On The Jerusalem Post

Jews seem to be fascinated by the topic of Jews in sports – regardless of the sport, team, country or time period in history

If you present a program entitled, “Jews in Sports: Beyond Sandy Koufax,” they will come.

When the event is free, in New York City and features legendary baseball player Art Shamsky of the 1969 Miracle Mets World Series Championship team, the people will definitely come out in great numbers. Jews seem to be fascinated by the topic of Jews in sports – regardless of the sport, team, country or time period in history.

The evening program last week at the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center on Manhattan’s Upper East Side also included such sports personalities as Bruce Beck, lead sports anchor at WNBC-TV in New York, host of NBC’s Sports Final and sideline reporter for New York Giants preseason football, Gerald Eskenazi, former New York Times sportswriter of 44 years and author of sixteen books, and Dr. Jane Katz, member of the 1964 United States Olympics Synchronized Swimming Team in Tokyo, Japan.

The event set out to address the question, “Why does the myth of the Jewish athlete still fascinate us?” and noted in the program’s description, “From the Book of Judge’s Samson to the NBA’s Omri Casspi, Semitic strongmen have always had an air of the improbable about them.”

Moderator Eskenazi, referenced the famous decision of Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Koufax to sit out Game 1 of the October 7, 1965 World Series versus the Minnesota Twins when it fell on Yom Kippur.

Eskenazi raised the question, “Would not pitching on Yom Kippur matter in 2017?” He noted that Jews are now quite active and prominent across the professional sports world.

“Ten-and-a-half out of 32 owners in the NFL are Jewish! (Why the half? The New York Giants are owned by the Tisches and the Maras). Eskenazi also pointed out that two out of four commissioners in professional sports – the NBA and NHL (plus Major League Soccer) – are Jewish.

The panelists spent 90 minutes sharing anecdotes, not-so-well known addenda to well-known stories and sports trivia. They brought smiles, chills and even tears to the eyes of members of the packed auditorium, whose insightful questions reflected an incredible collective knowledge of Jewish sports.

The audience learned that Katz, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice of the City University of New York, in the Department of Physical Education and Athletics, was born on the Lower East Side, teaches fitness and swimming to New York City police officers and fire fighters, hung out with legendary swimmer, Johnny Weissmuller, and has been a competitor or official at every Maccabiah Game since 1957.

A serious distance swimmer, she joked about what she calls “the Jewish triathlon – the steam, shower and sauna!” Beck reminded the audience that Sandy Koufax’s last name at birth was Braun until he took on Koufax, his stepfather’s name – and that Don Drysdale started in his place in the 1965 World Series when he didn’t pitch on Yom Kippur.

“Drysdale gave up seven runs in under three innings. When manager Walter Alston took him out, Drysdale said ‘You know, skip, I bet you wish I was Jewish too!’” Beck spoke personally of his mother’s arriving in the United States from Poland in 1937 – and becoming the first woman mayor of Livingston, New Jersey.

And he referenced the time when three of eight US Open men’s tennis quarterfinalists were Jewish (1951 US Nationals: Vic Seixas, Herbie Flam and Dick Savitt, who won the Australia Open and Wimbledon earlier that year).

Beck also shared a very moving story of how singing the first three lines of his bar mitzva haftarah convinced Israeli security guards at the 2004 Athens Olympics that he was “legit,” and he became the only broadcaster to land an interview with windsurfer Gal Fridman, Israel’s first Olympic gold medalist.

Shamsky, who grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, attended Hebrew school (“I snuck out many times to play baseball!”), celebrated his bar mitzvah and attended the same high school as Jewish major league pitcher Ken Holtzman.

“I had always thought of myself as a baseball player who happened to be Jewish,” noted Shamsky. “All that changed in 1969.”

Shamsky approached manager Gil Hodges during a tough pennant race and explained that September 21 was Yom Kippur.

Hodges said, “do what you think is best.”

Shamsky did not play.

He shared a less well known addendum to the story: “The next day, I was back in Pittsburgh at the old Forbes Field – no one said anything to me. There was a sign on my locker – “why don’t you stay out the rest of the season!” Shamsky knew they were joking.

While he did recall “some catcalls one summer in Macon, Georgia, while playing on a team with Pete Rose, I had no problems because of my Jewish faith.”

In reflecting on his decision to sit out the Yom Kippur double- header and considering Koufax’s similar decision four years earlier, Shamsky said “Koufax was an icon – but they could just switch pitchers and he could pitch another night. For me, it was a double-header against the Pittsburgh Pirates!”

Shamsky still gets comments about that famous decision. “I get letters to this day, people who weren’t even born then telling me they were proud!” He playfully notes that the story has gotten embellished over the years. For example, one person wrote, “I remember about that week you took off…”

Shamsky, who also managed in Israel in 2007 and is proud of Israel’s recent success in the World Baseball Classic, has been living in New York for more than 45 years and still sports his 1969 World Series ring – and regularly gets comments about the 1969 Mets team.

“I played baseball for 13 years – no one ever asks me about the other 12!” And, he notes proudly, “I get the Jewish thing all the time – it gives me a chance to talk about my past, to reminisce.”

The evening concluded with questions from the audience about Israel’s success in the World Baseball Classic, the Jewishness of pro wrestler Bill Goldberg, the names of the two Mets pitchers who defeated the Pirates in the Yom Kippur double header in 1969 (Jerry Koosman and Don Cardwell) and questions about who the panelists see as current Jewish sports ambassadors.

All fans left pleased, including some with a personally inscribed and signed $30 copy of Shamsky’s book, “The Magnificent Seasons: How the Jets, Mets and Knicks Made Sports History and Uplifted and City and the Country.”

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Original Article Published On The Yale Alumni Magazine

Two players’ journeys from Yale to the Red Sox to Team Israel

Like many Yale baseball fans, head Bulldogs coach John Stuper recalls watching in August 2012 as one of his former stars, Craig Breslow ’02, pitched to another, catcher Ryan Lavarnway ’09. This wasn’t some Yale baseball reunion; they were in the Bronx, on national TV. The pair were the only two Yale alumni in the major league at the time, and it was the first time a Yalie pitcher had worked with a Yalie catcher in a big-league game since 1883. Breslow got the third out in the eighth inning for the Boston Red Sox, who beat the Yankees.

This past September, the duo worked together again at MCU Park in Coney Island, New York. This time, instead of Boston B’s, they were wearing bright blue caps embroidered with a Star of David, part of the uniform of the Israeli national baseball team. They played against Great Britain in two of their three qualifying games for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

“I am extremely proud of my guys,” says Stuper. “It is quite an honor for them and for Yale baseball.”

The World Baseball Classic is a 16-team international tournament played every four years—baseball’s nascent version of soccer’s World Cup. Although neither Breslow nor Lavarnway are Israeli citizens, they are eligible for the team because they are Jewish. Eight other current and former major leaguers from the United States (among them New Haven native Josh Zeid) are also playing for Israel this year, part of the first Israeli team to qualify for the 16-team tournament since it was established in 2006.

Breslow, who is competing for a spot on the Minnesota Twins during spring training this year, is a journeyman left-hander who has pitched for eight major league teams. (A molecular biophysics and biochemistry major at Yale, he was also once declared the smartest man in baseball by the Sporting News.) The father of 22-month-old twins says he was thrilled to play for Israel in the qualifiers; he appeared twice as a relief pitcher. “I am proud of my Jewish heritage,” he says. “I enjoyed playing alongside the most notable Jewish players of my generation. This tournament impacts two things very near to me.”

Margo Sugarman, secretary general of the Israel Association of Baseball, calls Breslow “a highly intelligent player and a real asset to Team Israel,” adding that Lavarnway, for his part, cemented Israel’s lead in the final game with a home run.

Lavarnway, who is interrupting spring training with the Oakland A’s to play in the Classic, started all three qualifying games as catcher for Team Israel. He says he is looking for “any way we can grow the game in Israel and show Israel in a positive light. I just want to spread positivity as much as possible.”

After sweeping Great Britain and Brazil in the qualifiers, the team is off to Seoul in early March for the first round against Korea, Chinese Taipei, and the Netherlands. They hope to advance to the second round in Japan and to the championship in
Los Angeles.

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