Josh Halickman

The Sports Rabbi Preaches from the Pulpit of Sports! Based in Jerusalem, The Sports Rabbi gives the reader a unique perspective on sports, both inside & outside of Israel.

 HAPOEL TEL AVIV celebrates with fans.

Amid Hamas war, Israeli sports in 2024 has a murky outlook

 ISRAEL FANS display flags and signs during the blue-and-white’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Romania on Saturday night at Pancho Arena in Felcsút, Hungary.

Israeli soccer team falls to Romania in Hungary

 FORMER MACCABI TEL AVIV coach Neven Spahija – whose Reyer Venice club is slated to host Hapoel Tel Aviv this week – has expressed support for Israel during the ongoing war.

Israeli sports teams plan to return to play amid war with Hamas


Jerusalem pumped up for 3X3 Europe Cup

With plenty of summer success across the continent, host Israel enters tournament as a favorite.

 HAPOEL BEERSHEBA guard Joaquin Szuchman will feature for Team Israel in this week’s FIBA 3X3 Europe Cup being played at the Sultan’s Pool in Jerusalem.

Fans show their love to returning Maccabi Tel Aviv stars Brown, Baldwin

Both were serenaded with song, dance, flags flowing in the air and optimism abound that this will be the year that the yellow-and-blue gets to the promised land.

 FANS WELCOME Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Lorenzo Brown at Ben-Gurion Airport upon his return to Israel for the upcoming season.

Israel falls to Bosnia, eliminated from Olympic qualifying

Israel just came up short against a tough squad with veteran NBA experience.

 Israel National Basketball Team faces off against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Israel icon Guy Pnini hangs up his sneakers

All-time local hoops league appearance leader retires after 22 seasons, to stay with Maccabi Tel Aviv as assistant coach.

 GUY PNINI captained Maccabi Tel Aviv to the 2014 Euroleague championship and captured 11 Israel State Cups, five domestic league titles, four Winner Cup trophies to go along with ABA League and Balkan League titles.

Barak Bachar making a big splash to start tenure with Red Star Belgrade

He will take one step at a time, slowly but surely, in order to ensure that the magic that he was able to create in Israel will be the same in Serbia.

 JUST TWO months after becoming the coach of Red Star Belgrade, Barak Bachar has remade the club’s roster and started the season to raving reviews.

National U-20 hoops team reaches Euro finals

Next up in the championship game slated for Sunday night will be the winner of the Greece and France semi-final.

 The Israeli National Basketball Team participating in the U-20 European championships.

Israel marks 2 straight victories in bid to qualify for 2024 Euros

Israel's Manor Solomon strike powers National Team to 2-1 home conquest of Andorra in 2024 Euro qualifying

 ISRAEL FORWARD Manor Solomon celebrates after scoring the blue-and-white’s second goal in the 61st minute of the 2-1 victory over Andorra at Teddy Stadium.

Hapoel Tel Aviv erupts at home, evens final with Maccabi

“This was one of those games that we got hit hard at every angle possible,” Maccabi coach Oden Katash said.

 GAME 2 of the Winner League final saw fans light dozens of flares in the stands of the Drive-In Arena, causing the contest to be halted

Israel continues historic run at FIFA Under-20, advances to semi-finals

The team dedicated the historic victory to the IDF soldiers murdered in the terrorist attack along the Egyptian border earlier.

 FIFA U20 World Cup Argentina 2023 - Quarter Final - Israel v Brazil - Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan, Argentina - June 3, 2023 Israel's Anan Khalaili celebrates scoring their first goal

Beitar Jerusalem wins Israel State Cup amid raucous fan behavior

President Herzog escorted from Sammy Ofer Stadium amid flare-throwing, on-pitch invasion during Jerusalem’s final victory over Maccabi Netanya

 The final of the Israeli state cup between Maccabi Netanya and Beitar Jerusalem at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Haifa, May 23, 2023.