AJ Edelman, the first Orthodox Jew to compete in the Winter Olympics and pilot of the Israeli bobsled team, shares his thrilling journey through sports. He discusses the unique challenges faced by Orthodox athletes and the importance of representing Israel. The conversation highlights the cultural struggles in Jewish sports, the need for sponsorship, and how personal stories can inspire youth to pursue their dreams. Edelman reflects on the intertwined nature of identity and athletics, emphasizing the responsibility of athletes as representatives of their heritage.
AJ Edelman discusses the cultural challenges that deter Jewish youth from sports, emphasizing the need for greater advocacy and representation in athletics.
The conversation highlights the role of sports in fostering community bonds among Jews, countering stereotypes, and celebrating athletic achievements.
Deep dives
Introduction to High Flix
High Flix is introduced as a streaming platform that offers award-winning international series and films, especially from Israel and the diaspora. The platform's highlight is the hit series 'The Lesson,' recently recognized by The New York Times as one of the top international series of 2024, with its first episode hailed as an exceptional streaming experience. The podcast promotes a 50% discount on annual subscriptions for new users who utilize a specific promo code when signing up. This strategic introduction aims to entice listeners to explore unique content available on High Flix.
Passion for Sports and Community
Rabbi Diana Fersko and the host discuss their mutual love for sports, emphasizing the community aspect it brings. They reflect on how sports serve as a bonding experience, creating a shared excitement among fans and fostering familial connections. The rabbi counters common stereotypes about Jewish athletes, sharing anecdotes that highlight the presence of Jews in various sports. The conversation reveals a personal connection to sports as a way to bring people together, transcending cultural divides.
AJ Edelman's Journey in Sliding Sports
AJ Edelman, a Jewish athlete representing Israel in sliding sports, shares his unique experience and challenges within the realm of athletics. He explains the sport of skeleton as sliding down an icy track at high speeds, revealing the mental and physical demands it places on athletes. Edelman addresses the cultural obstacles that deter Jewish youth from pursuing sports and recounts his journey of self-advocacy to change perceptions around Jewish involvement in athletics. He aims to serve as an example and aspires to inspire young Jews to pursue sports seriously despite cultural reservations.
Advocacy and Visibility
Edelman discusses his commitment to advocating for Israel, particularly in light of the October 7th attacks and their implications. He explains the importance of standing up for Israeli narratives amid growing anti-Semitism and the responsibility he feels as an athlete representing Israel. Despite the negative impact on sponsorship opportunities due to his outspoken support for Israel, he emphasizes the importance of visibility and representation within the Jewish community and beyond. His story reflects a broader struggle for acceptance and recognition in the sporting world while navigating personal and communal obligations.
AJ Edelman is the first Orthodox Jew to compete in the Winter Olympics and serves as the pilot of the Israeli bobsled team. He joins us to make the case for Jews in sports, recounts his unconventional path to “sliding sport” acclaim (and the setbacks he’s faced), and talks about what it’s meant for him to represent Israel on an international stage.
Hosted by Courtney Hazlett, Rabbi Diana Fersko, and Josh Kross, each episode of How to Be a Jew takes a look at a current, cultural topic and what it means for us as Jews, and how we react to it because we are Jews.