Tamir Goodman, the “Jewish Jordan,” came to speak to our freshmen today about the challenges and triumphs of forging a career as a professional basketball player while maintaining observant Judaism.
Tamir grew up in Baltimore and played basketball in high school, where he was ranked the country’s 25th top high school basketball player (and officially dubbed the “Jewish Jordan”). he received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Maryland, but turned it down because the university held practices and games on Friday nights and Saturdays. He accepted an offer to play for Towson University and found success there, but he experienced abusive behavior from a newly-hired basketball coach, who was not as accommodating to his religious needs as the previous coach had been. Despite this, Tamir persevered and signed to play with Maccabi Tel Aviv, and his dream of one day making aliyah came true. He went on to serve in the IDF, as well.
He eventually signed with Maccabi Haifa, but the injuries he sustained over the years forced him to officially retire from professional basketball in 2009. Since then, he has been able to reinvent himself and became a sought-after motivational speaker and coach. he runs basketball camps and clinics with Omri Capsi, the only Israeli athlete playing in the NBA. he also founded a company, Sport Strings Tzitzit, which produces compression-fit, moisture-wicking tzitzit. Tamir currently lives in Yerushalayim with his wife and their four children.
Tamir’s dedication to his faith before his sport, at which he excelled, inspired his teammates, coaches, and fans around the world. His words about finding the light amid the challenges- and persevering to find success when life doesn’t work out the way you plan – was a perfect way to inspire our own students during this festival of lights.