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YU News

Screening of Israel Swings for Gold Shown at YU

On Monday, May 8, 2023, a special screening of Israel Swings for Gold was shown on Yeshiva University’s Wilf Campus. The exciting and inspirational film tells the story of the Israel National Baseball Team at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the event was sponsored by the Yeshiva University Center for Israel Studies, the Rabbi Arthur Schneier Program for International Affairs, the Office of Student Life and the Philos Project. Following the screening, a special panel discussing the film and the team took place featuring, Dr. Jordy Alter, president of the Israel Association of Baseball; Eric Holtz, former head coach of the Israel Baseball National Team; Mitch Glasser, Israel National Baseball Team MVP; and Jeremy Newberger, producer of the film. “Baseball, our national pastime, has been brought to Israel by American immigrants, and struck roots,” said Dr. Steve Fine, Churgin Professor of Jewish History and Director, Yeshiva University Center for Israel Studies. “It is amazing to think of an Israeli baseball team, having learned to play “kadur basis” myself in camp as a kid. What’s more, the Israeli and Dominican national teams met at the Tokyo Olympics, which became an event celebrated in Washington Heights, just blocks from YU.”