Ryan Braun and the Other Active Jews Who Will Be Keeping Kosher for Passover
With Passover coming up soon, it's nice to take a look at the small selection of Jewish athletes that entertain us every night.
Many Jews have donned jerseys for your favorite teams, such as Sandy Koufax, Shawn Green, and Hank Greenberg. In this era, there are still a few superstars that can smack the matzo ball out of the park or throw around a substitute to the pigskin (because pig isn't kosher).
So when you feel like the only kid in town without an Easter bunny, here's a list of current athletes who are Jewish. Just like you and me.
Ruben Amaro, Philadelphia Phillies
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I know I said active athletes, but I'm going to count Amaro in this list because he is an active GM and did play professional baseball in the past.
Ruben Amaro grew up in an inter-faith family, but celebrated the major Jewish holidays.
He was inducted into the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (doesn't seem that hard to get in if it only takes a .235 career average).
Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers
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Ryan Braun's father immigrated to America as a child and taught his son the values of Judaism.
One of the elite hitters in the majors, Braun is one of the best Jewish athletes today. His nickname, "The Hebrew Hammer," highlights his incredible power and commitment to his faith.
Braun became the first Jewish Rookie of the Year following his spectacular 2006 season.
Ryan was invited to Hanukkah dinner at the White House by George W. Bush in 2007 and was printed on a set of Jewish baseball cards in 2008, joined by a few of the forthcoming individuals.
Similar to Amaro, Braun was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
Craig Breslow, Oakland Athletics
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Craig Breslow is known throughout sports for his incredible intelligence.
After graduating from Yale with a B.A. in molecular biophysics and biochemistry, Breslow was drafted in the 26th round of the draft by the Brewers.
Breslow was honored by Jewish Sports Review as a Jewish collegiate All-American after he led the Ivy League in ERA in his senior season.
He has bounced around a couple of times, but has found a home as a solid lefty in the Athletics bullpen.
Breslow celebrates his Judaism and used it to connect with his former Red Sox teammates, Kevin Youkilis, Adam Stern and Gabe Kapler.
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Ike Davis, New York Mets
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It's pretty easy to pick out Ike Davis as one of the few Jews in the league. His real name is Isaac and he sports a pretty prominent schnoz.
Looks aside, Davis' mother came from Lithuanian roots and lost a good portion of her family to the Holocaust.
Davis' father was a major league pitcher, but was Baptist.
Scott Feldman, Texas Rangers
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Feldman gets his Judaism from his father's side.
He, like Ryan Braun, was featured on the set of Jewish trading cards.
Scott Feldman was named Jewish Major Leagues Pitcher of the Year (I'm between calling it the Oy Young or the Chy Young) after his 2009 season, where he won more games than any other Jew since 1980.
Sam Fuld, Tampa Bay Rays
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Sam Fuld is a perfect role model for young Jews everywhere. Fuld isn't the biggest guy, but makes up for it with hard work and maximum effort.
Fuld was diagnosed with diabetes as a child, but worked hard to not let it beat him. Fuld pushed through his disease to become an All-American at Stanford.
After graduating and beginning to play in the Cubs minor leagues, Fuld went back to Stanford to get his master's in statistics. When Fuld tore his labrum in 2004, he got a job at STATS, Inc and pushed to learn more about the game of baseball.
Fuld doesn't possess the physical talents as many other players, but works his butt off every game. He made a name for himself with the Cubs (and now with the Rays) by sacrificing his body to make spectacular defensive plays.
His offense is now starting to develop, which is great for Tampa as he brings some of the speed that they'll miss after losing Carl Crawford.
John Grabow, Chicago Cubs
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Grabow's mother's family is of Lebanese Jewish descent. The family moved to Israel and California, where John grew up.
Grabow was honored with the Barney Pelty Award in 2009 as the Jewish Pitcher of the Year.
He recently moved into second all time on the Jewish pitcher games list.
Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers
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Ian Kinsler is a prominent figure in the Jewish community and is proud to be in the Hebrew spotlight.
Kinsler was also featured on the Jewish playing cards and was one of three Jews in the 2008 All-Star Game.
He and Youkilis often wish each other a "Happy Passover" on the bases.
Jason Marquis, Washington Nationals
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Jason Marquis grew up a Conservative Jew in Staten Island, New York. His maternal grandparents were Holocaust survivors.
Marquis, another of the Jewish playing cards, is currently ranked fifth in wins and strikeouts among members of the tribe.
Danny Valencia, Minnesota Twins
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Danny Valencia's mother is Jewish.
He, like Ryan Braun, came up as an infielder from the University of Miami Hurricanes.
Valencia was named to the All-Rookie team after his breakthrough 2010 season.
Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox
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Kevin Youkilis was a part of the record-setting Red Sox lineup that featured three Jews on August 5, 2008, an AL record.
Youk is one of the Jewish playing cards as well as one of the three Jewish All-Stars in 2008.
Youkilis was the Jewish MVP in 2008. Youkilis is proud of his heritage and understands that he will have a lasting impact on Jews everywhere as a positive influence.
Omri Casspi, Sacramento Kings
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Casspi is not just Jewish, but is also an Israeli.
In 2009, Casspi became not only the first Israeli-born player drafted in the first round, but also the first to play in an NBA game.
Casspi is now known for his sharp-shooting ability as a member of the Sacramento Kings.
Jordan Farmar, New Jersey Nets
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Jordan Farmar grew up with his Jewish mother and an Israeli step-father.
He was named Southern California's Jewish Athlete of the Year after his senior season in high school.
Farmar has been a success in the NBA. He leads all Jews now (and possibly ever) with two NBA championships.
Amare Stoudamire, New York Knicks
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Surprise! This isn't a joke. Amar'e is in fact Jewish to some degree. He tops this list in my eyes as the best at his sport.
Amar'e's mother has Jewish roots and although he was not raised specifically as a Jew, he recognizes it as a strong part of his life.
Amar'e visited Israel over the 2010 offseason after joining the Knicks as a journey to learn more about his roots.
He has a tattoo on his wrist of a Star of David. I guess he doesn't mind that he won't be buried in a Jewish cemetery.
Greg Camarillo, Minnesota Vikings
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Camarillo is Jewish on his mother's side, who is of Hungarian descent.
Camarillo has slowly been making a name for himself in the NFL since his walk-off touchdown reception for the Dolphins against the Baltimore Ravens.
Kyle Kosier, Dallas Cowboys
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Kyle Kosier is entrenched as a crucial member of the starting offensive line of the Dallas Cowboys.
He quietly helps keep Tony Romo upright, but just as quietly is Jewish.
Taylor Mays, San Francisco 49ers
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Taylor Mays is another name that I wouldn't immediately recognize as being a Jewish athlete, but is Jewish on his mother's side.
Mays credits his becoming Bar Mitzvah as a moment that helped shape who he is as an adult and contributed to his maturing.
Igor Olshansky, Dallas Cowboys
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Olshansky is a fairly prominent Jew in the NFL and is frequently recognized as a Jewish athlete.
Igor was born in the Ukraine, but moved to America and later attended Orthodox Jewish day school in San Francisco.
Olshansky has a one-up on Amar'e Stoudamire in that he has two Star of David tattoos.
Adam Podlesh, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Adam Podlesh is relatively insignificant compared to the others on the list because he is just a punter, but contributes greatly to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Other than being the punter that's always left at the end of Madden fantasy drafts, Podlesh is known for being a Jew from Rochester, New York.
Sage Rosenfels, New York Giants
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Sage Rosenfels, a career back-up quarterback, is Jewish on his father's side.
Sage currently backs up the younger Manning for the New York Giants.
Honorable Mentions: Commissioners
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Bud Selig, MLB
David Stern, NBA
Don Garber, MLS
Gary Bettman, NHL
Honorable Mentions: Owners and Others
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Leslie Alexander, Owner, Houston Rockets
Micky Arison, Owner, Miami Heat
Arthur Blank, Owner, Atlanta Falcons
Steve Bornstein, President and CEO, NFL Network
Mark Cuban, Owner, Dallas Mavericks
Al Davis, Owner, Oakland Raiders
Theo Epstein, GM, Boston Red Sox
Dan Gilbert, Owner, Cleveland Cavaliers
Glazer Family, Owner, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manchester United
Ernie Grunfeld, GM, Washington Wizards
Daryl Katz, Owner, Edmunton Oilers
Herb Kohl, Milwaukee Bucks
Robert Kraft, Owner, New England Patriots
Lerner Family, Owner, Washington Nationals
Jeffrey Lurie, Owner, Philadelphia Eagles
Jerry Reinsdorf, Owner, Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox
Stephen M. Ross, Owner, Miami Dolphins
Dan Snyder, Owner, Washington Redskins
Zygi Wilf, Owner, Minnesota Vikings
Fred and Jeff Wilpon, Owner, New York Mets
Lewis Wolff, Owner, Oakland Athletics
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