Rabbi On The Sidelines

Mike Gminski NBA Veteran and ACC Network Broadcaster joins Rabbi Erez Sherman of Sinai Temple to discuss the role of faith in times of success and hardship. Gminski speaks about how his personal conviction to faith influenced his mindset as an NBA player through pre-game prayer sessions in the locker room, as well as how it has served as his anchor in dealing with addiction  following the los...

Ben Zauzmer, Assistant GM of the New York Mets, and author of "Oscarmetrics" joins Rabbi Sherman to discuss the role of analytics in predicting the Oscars and helping shape the culture of a major league baseball team. Ben, through his journey of faith in Jewish camps and synagogue life, takes us behind the scenes into the locker room and onto the field.

Doron Sheffer, Israeli and UCONN Husky basketball legend, joins Rabbi Erez Sherman to discuss his faith journey from the court to the synagogue, from Israel to the United States, from a life of achievement through a life of challenges. What is the meaning of victory?

Steve Springer, LA Lakers historian, LA Times journalist, author of 14 books, and member of the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in Southern California, joins Rabbi Sherman to discuss faith behind the scenes of the Showtime Lakers--Magic, Kobe, and Lebron, and more stories never heard before.

Justin Borses, who has lived his life with Cerebral Palsy, and has achieved his dream of sports broadcasting, speaks with Rabbi Sherman on how his faith and his community has allowed him to reach great heights and inspire others to tell their stories.

Dan Grunfeld, son of Ernie Grunfeld, the only NBA player who is the son of Holocaust survivors, joins Rabbi Sherman to speak about his newly released book, "By The Grace Of The Game." Basketball, the Holocaust, and the unprecedented American dream come together in this moving narrative of a grandmother, father, and grandson.

Dr. Jeffrey Gurock, professor of Jewish history, at Yeshiva University, and author of Judaism's Encounter with American Sports, speaks with Rabbi Sherman about how sports can be used as a metaphor to put a marker on Jewish acceptance in American society. Amazing, never before heard stories of the American Jewish experience through the world of sports.

Jay Bilas, ESPN college basketball analyst and New York Times best selling author speaks with Rabbi Sherman about his book "Toughness" and the principles related to faith, belief, and hope.

Dani Menkin, director of On The Map, and Aulcie, speaks with Rabbi Sherman about the important role that sports plays in the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora. How does a simple game impact the image of Israel around the world?

Elsa Garrison, world famous Getty Images sports photographer has covered the World Series, NBA and Stanley Cup Finals, Olympics, US Open, World Cup and more. What is the story behind the best sports photos you see? How are they captured and how does the audience react? Elsa discusses with Rabbi Sherman the faith behind the lens.

Ariana Berlin, UCLA Champion gymnast, feature of Netflix's Full Out, and award winning producer, speaks of how to overcome adversity, mental health and faith aspects in the world of sports, and how her Jewish identity and personal narrative has shaped her life story.

Jimmy Dykes, ESPN college basketball analyst and author of recently published book, "The Film Doesn't Lie," joins Rabbi Sherman to discuss his deep faith, in and out of the broadcast booth, the heroes and inspiring people he has met on this journey, and how we can watch our life film to gain insight into our own faith.

Lenny Krayzelburg, US Olympic swimmer and 4 time gold medal winner, joins Rabbi Sherman to share his journey from Russia to the United States, the importance of his Jewish identity, his connection to the State of Israel, and the importance of swimming in his and our lives.

Scott O'Neil, CEO of the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils, and author of newly released book, "Be Where Your Feet Are," joins Rabbi Sherman to speak about his achievements and challenges as head of Madison Square Garden, the faith he lives out in his daily life, and how to be grateful and happy all at once. 

Arnie Kander, world renown strength and conditioning coach for the Detroit Pistons, speaks with Rabbi Sherman about spirituality, faith, and physicality on and off the court of championship teams.

Ken Levine, Emmy award winning writer/producer of Cheers, MASH, Simpsons, The Jeffersons, and more, as well as Major League Baseball announcer for the Orioles, Mariners, Padres, and Dodger talk, speaks with Rabbi Sherman on the guiding values that led him into a path of entertainment and sports. How do you tell a story and how do you create a story? How do you make people laugh in a serious world?

Jacob Emrani, speaks with Rabbi Sherman about the meaning of giving back, on and off the court. How did his upbringing impact his path to a passion of sports, faith, and philanthropy.

Ty Kelly, of the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Israel Olympic Baseball team speaks with Rabbi Sherman about faith on and off the field, in and out of the clubhouse. What is the difference between playing for a Major League Team and representing the State of Israel for the Jewish people around the world?

Jason Horowitz, Westwood One and CBS Sports host, has hosted Super Bowls, Final Fours, Olympics and more. He speaks about his own personal journey of loss and hope, what sports means to the greater world, and the power of connection between people.

Dr. Jeff Mangram joins Rabbi Sherman to discuss the impact of faith on and off the field. As a Sugar Bowl participant in the 1987 national Championship, Dr. Mangram describes the belief it took to get to the highest level. He has also achieved that level in the classroom, mentoring the next generation of students to be leaders.

Dave Cohen, Yankees play by play announcer, WFAN radio host, Syracuse basketball and football broadcaster, mentor to a generation of broadcasters, speaks of how he brings faith into the open, inspiring fans and athletes alike.

Coach Phil Martelli, associate head coach at University of Michigan, 34 years at St. Joseph's University, 2004 NCAA Coach of the year, 12 years as head of Coaches vs. Cancer, joins Rabbi Sherman to hear his story about basketball being the greatest social experiment, and the impact of his coaching over 4 decades.

Peter Kurz, General Manager of the Israeli Olympic baseball team tells the story of creating this miraculous team, what it means to the discovery and re-discovery of their Jewish roots, and the significance the team has to the global Jewish world as they compete for a medal in Tokyo 2021.

Coach Jim Boeheim, Syracuse University Hall of Fame Basketball Coach, 2003 National Champion, USA Olympic Coach, Coaches vs Cancer and special needs advocate, speaks with Rabbi Sherman about on and off the court accomplishments, what it means to make a difference in society as a coach, and the future of college basketball.

Joe Lunardi, ESPN Bracketologist, joins Rabbi Erez Sherman to look at the return of March Madness and the look towards the future. What joy does sports bring into our lives, how do you not take your life too seriously, and what lessons can we take from the science of Bracketology into the world of faith?