LeBron James’s Jewish Connection
By Lana Gersten
Typically, Jews and professional basketball don’t mix — not unless you’re talking about the early days of the game, when Jews were a dominating force. But one of basketball’s present-day greats, Cleveland Cavalier forward LeBron James, is merging the two in an unexpected way.
When James was recently asked whom he would name as one of Time magazine’s “Time 100” — the publication’s list of the world’s most influential people — the superstar, who is a past Time 100 honoree, chose Jay Schottenstein, an Ohio businessman and philanthropist who funded ArtScroll’s translation of the Talmud into English, Hebrew and French.
No word on the connection between the two. Time made little mention of Schottenstein’s business and philanthropic endeavors, which include a family contribution of $12.5 million for the construction of a sports complex at Ohio State University (James is not an alumnus). Instead, the magazine stressed Schottenstein’s work with Talmudic translations, writing, “The Schottenstein Edition of the Talmud is now utilized by more than 2 million people worldwide.”
The Shmooze was unable to reach James for comment, and a rep for Schottenstein responded via e-mail, simply stating that James and Schottenstein have “mutual respect for each other” and that James was “impressed with the community involvement shown by Jay, including the elucidation and translation of the 73 volume Talmud Bavli.”
Perhaps James is contemplating the benefits of becoming a member of the tribe? Our guess: not likely. Maybe it’s just plain old Ohio pride.
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I also doubt that James is converting... but it's such an insider, specific reference, why would this be forefront on his mind? How would he even know the term "Bavli"?
http://blog.beliefnet.com/idolchatter/2009/04/is-lebron-james-jewish.html
Indeed, Michael. How would that ignorant child know anything about Bavli? How would he know anything about anything?
Then again, maybe his curiousity has been fueled by his unfortunate run in with Annie Liebowitz and her King Kong montage.
Maybe he's become aware of an ancestral connection to the Lemba. Who's knows. Either way, there is little place for smug folks like you, Mr. Kress, who've also come to this particular faith by way of conversion. You may be able to go back a few centuries, but if you're honest -- and keep going -- you'll find that convert...won't you?!?
So, pipe down and have a little humility about yourself.
Indeed, Michael. How would that ignorant child know anything about Bavli? How would he know anything about anything?
Then again, maybe his curiousity has been fueled by his unfortunate run in with Annie Liebowitz and her King Kong montage.
Maybe he's become aware of an ancestral connection to the Lemba. Who's knows. Either way, there is little place for smug folks like you, Mr. Kress, who've also come to this particular faith by way of conversion. You may be able to go back a few centuries, but if you're honest -- and keep going -- you'll find that convert...won't you?!?
So, pipe down and have a little humility about yourself.
James has other significant Jewish connections. He was discovered as a Middle School student at the Akron Jewish Community Center by what would be his future coach Keith Dambroot who is Jewish and now coach of the Akron University Zips. James participated in the JCC Sunday basketball program for two years under the supervision of Dambroot who recruited him along with James friends for St Vincent/St Mary's High School where he coached. James cites the JCC experience as very important in his life.
James has other significant Jewish connections. He was discovered as a Middle School student at the Akron Jewish Community Center by what would be his future coach Keith Dambroot who is Jewish and now coach of the Akron University Zips. James participated in the JCC Sunday basketball program for two years under the supervision of Dambroot who recruited him along with James friends for St Vincent/St Mary's High School where he coached. James cites the JCC experience as very important in his life.
Maybe he's planning on ond day making the move that Alcee Perry did and play for an Israeli team.
Dear Temple3,
Your comments are deeply disturbing. First, Even if a Jew is a convert, you are never supposed to bring it up in conversation, let alone use it as an insult. That's like introducing a child you took into your home as your "adopted child". Their just your child, end of story.
Second, it's Annie Leibovitz.
Third, baseless hatred caused the destruction of our temple and our nation across the whole world. We should seek to learn something from the mistakes of our past instead of leveling cruel and baseless accusations.
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