Basketball and Judaism combine in Israel for Jonathan Joel

As a child growing up in Cranston, Jonathan Joel had two strong interests. Basketball and Judaism. For years, these two competing passions were separate, each presenting its own path of development and exploration. Joel could not see how those two passions could come together.

But in October 2024, basketball and Judaism converged as Joel was accepted into the inaugural class of Maccabi World Union’s new Maccabi Israel Sports Experience basketball program.

The initiative provides post-high school age Jewish athletes from around the world with the opportunity to spend a year living at Kfar Maccabiah, training under top coaches, meeting with the sports world’s leading figures, and exploring their roots while taking their skills to the next level. Most of the participant athletes aspire to play competitively in college or to sign with a professional team at the end of the year-long program.

According to Joel, “This is the perfect opportunity for someone who wants the whole experience of going to Israel and traveling the country, while also playing basketball.”

For Joel, the perfect opportunity came at the right time. His desire to continue to play basketball professionally while connecting with his Jewish heritage found its best avenue in this new program.

Joel, whose father is African American and whose mother is Jewish, was raised by his single mom along with his younger brother. His father was never in his life, so he spent much of his time with his mother’s side of the family, going to his grandparents’ house for the Jewish holidays. He attended Camp JORI from the ages of 5-17 and had wonderful experiences as a camper. He felt connected to his Jewish roots and sought to learn more about his heritage.

Basketball became a salvation for Joel, a place where he could express himself and find solace in the rhythm of shooting and dribbling. The more he practiced, the more he improved and before long he was on the freshman basketball team at LaSalle Academy in Providence.

“At LaSalle I only played on the freshman team, sophomore year at LaSalle I got cut from the team. Junior year at LaSalle I got cut again and mid-way through junior year I transferred to Prout [in Wakefield] where I was able to have a strong senior year,” said Joel.

A strong senior year led him to being recruited by a few local colleges including Wentworth Institute of Technology, Bridgewater State University and Clark University. However, a former high school teammate was playing at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts, and the new coach was recruiting, so he decided to pursue that opportunity.

His college time coincided with the pandemic, so he was given an extra year of eligibility. The Conference of New England, which includes Curry College, is a strong conference with traditionally tough opponents in Nichols and Endicott. The Curry team was not that strong, and Joel admits that his basketball career could have gone better. This became a learning experience and motivational force for his next moves.

During the 2018-19 season, he appeared in 22 games, starting two and playing 266 total minutes. He ranked third on the team in assists per 40 minutes (4.5) while accumulating 37 points on 24.4% shooting. For the season, he registered 47 rebounds, 30 assists, and nine steals.

The following season, he saw action in eight games and led the team in fewest total fouls (Tied, 1) and ranked third in steals per 40 minutes (Tied, 1.9). For the season, he collected one point, four rebounds, and a steal.

The 2020-21 campaign was abbreviated, and he appeared in six games during a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a senior, he appeared in 20 games, starting in eight. Joel averaged 3.4 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per game, and 14.6 minutes per game and led the team in field goal percentage (50.9%).

Despite any reservations he may have had about his college experience, his interest in his Jewish history was re-awakened by one of his teammates, who was from Israel. Spending time with his Israeli teammate gave Joel an opportunity to think about his future and his desire to visit Israel and continue his basketball journey.

On a whim, he messaged Tamir Goodman on LinkedIn. Twenty-five years ago, Goodman was a high school basketball sensation and observant Jew from Maryland who wanted to play in a top collegiate program. He was featured in Sports Illustrated as the next Jewish Jordan. After a brief college career at Towson State University, Goodman now lives and works in Israel and to Joel’s surprise, Goodman responded immediately and the two quickly followed up and spoke.

From his conversation with Goodman, Joel learned of this new opportunity in Israel and decided to apply. After being accepted, he readied himself to move to Israel for a year and pursue his desire to play professionally and connect with his Jewish roots. Goodman’s former high school coach, Harold Katz, is the coach of this program.

At first, his mother was concerned about her oldest son moving to Israel. “She was 100% against me coming. Then she left it up to me but wanted me to be safe. Now, she is so happy I am here. She is my number 1 supporter,” said Joel.

The program brings together 10 young men from around the world. Joel, 24 years old, is the oldest and is helping the other students acclimate. The players arrived a year after Oct. 7 and Joel did not know what to expect. “Israeli citizens are thanking me for being here, for coming. This shows how together everyone here is.”

Although only in its first year, the program has ambitious goals. Amir Gissin, CEO of Maccabi World Union, who is excited about the potential, states, “We envision a world-leading academy with multiple sports programs for men and women, combining a love of the sport, with the opportunity to compete at the highest levels, and to experience Israel, all in one. Maccabi is once again leading the way in helping young athletes achieve success while instilling in them the values of strength and resilience that have been part of the Jewish and Israeli people for generations.”

According to Program Director Adi Ciner, “We want to give young Jewish athletes the opportunity to be their best, fulfill their personal ambitions and feel at home in Israel. This is a year that will change their lives. Our 10 incredible players took the chance to follow their dreams and come here, despite the war. We’re giving them the chance to experience Israel, while being part of something bigger. When the Jewish people need it most, Maccabi uses sports to build bridges.”

During their Israel experience, the athletes will spend time touring the country, volunteering in various efforts including hospital visits with injured soldiers, meetings with Nova survivors, and activities with other non-profits involved in giving back to the community; interning in sport-tech; spending Sabbath weekends together; and connecting with host families.

For Joel, these extracurricular activities have proven to a wonderful experience in Israeli culture. Joel, whose background is marketing and sales, has an internship with a company that focuses on knee braces and technology. It is an experience that merges his interest in sports with his academic training.

In addition, the team celebrates Shabbat each week and one special week the team traveled to Haifa to celebrate Shabbat. There are also many team activities including movie nights. The students took an Ulpan class and learned basic Hebrew.

Connecting with other sports figures has been a bonus of the program. The team has Zoom sessions with leading Jewish American college basketball programs including figures such as Bruce Pearl, head coach of Auburn University, Jon Scheyer, Duke University’s head basketball coach and a former professional player in Israel, and Doug Gottlieb, currently the head coach of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Joel found these sessions to be extremely inspiring and was amazed how much time these coaches provided during their own basketball seasons.

Basketball continues to be an integral aspect of this experience. The team practices from Sunday to Thursday and has two games a week. The team competes in the Israeli Basketball League and plays in the IBBA semi-professional B league. It provides high quality competition for Joel who seeks to stay in Israel if he can sign a professional contract. Scouts attend games. Joel’s goal is to become an Israeli citizen.

For Joel, the excitement of being part of this experience has yet to wear off. “I love it here. It is a dream to be in Israel.”

DOUGLAS STARK, of Barrington, is a writer, museum consultant, and sports historian. If you have any Rhode Island Jewish athletes you’d like to see us interview, contact editor@jewishallianceri.org