baseballs, basketballs and matzah balls,what sports can teach us about the jewish holidays...and vice versa
Synopsis "baseballs, basketballs and matzah balls,what sports can teach us about the jewish holidays...and vice versa"
Baseballs, Basketballs and Matzah Balls offers a sweeping exploration of sports: of contests and heroes, of triumph and adversity, and how they relate to the festivals that Jews have celebrated for thousands of years. Among the chapters: Remembering Simpler Times: What central message of Sukkot is enthusiastically espoused by winning college coaches? Kindling the Light of Confidence: What Hanukkah teaches us about the kind of confidence that builds champions? A Purim Perspective on Competitive Anger: Why so many athletes lose their cool, just like the villainous Haman did, becoming their own worst enemies? Coach K and the Meaning of Passover: How Mike Krzyzewski's success explains the Exodus? "A compelling, entertaining, illuminating work that will stir the hearts and intellect of Jews and non-Jews alike." - Seth Davis, Sports Illustrated/CBS Sports "Rabbi Mitch Smith has written a book that gives all sports fans occasion to think about the meaning of sacrifice, teamwork, leadership and other virtues in a different light. - Bud Selig, Commissioner, Major League Baseball "This book is a great read! It offers all of us a roadmap to becoming more fulfilled human beings - Lenny Krayzelburg, 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist "Informative, insightful, inspirational... Mitch Smith scores on every level with this tonic for the soul." - Tim Green, former defensive end, Atlanta Falcons, Fox Sports NFL analyst "A MUST-READ! Mitch Smith brings age-old texts to life, and conveys how concepts like team work, resilience, and refusing to succumb to defeat -- mainstays in sports -- not only allowed the Jewish people to weather history's storms, but to constantly engage in self-renewal. To paraphrase the old Levy's Rye Bread ad, you don't have to be Jewish to love this book." - Dr. Richard Lapchick, Director, Institute for Diversityand Ethics in Sport
