Is Israel an Ethnostate? And the 2026 Israeli Olympic Bobsled Team
Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
Media Scrutiny and Motivation
AJ recalls negative press, funding loss, crashes and how criticism became motivation for the team's resolve.
In this inspiring episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, Jonah sits down with members of the Israeli Bobsled Team (AJ Edelman, Ward Fawarsy, Uri Zisman, Ower Katz, Itamar Shprinz, and Menashem Chen) while in competition in Milano Crotina, to discuss the unlikely journey of building a team for a Winter Olympic sport in a country with no snow. Representing Israel on the global stage, the athletes share how they transitioned from backgrounds in track and field, rugby, crossfit, and other sports into elite bobsled competitors. They discuss training and competing internationally, and navigating the challenges of representing Israel amid rising antisemitism following October 7. Their story is a wild one with robberies, getting booed, a death on a plane, and missing critical training runs.
The conversation explores patriotism, Jewish pride, and the emotional weight of wearing the Israeli flag at global events sanctioned by the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) and the Winter Olympics. The athletes reflect on the powerful symbolism of Israeli athletes competing on the world stage and the importance of positive representation for Israel in international sports.
Jonah and AJ Edelman, captain of the Israeli Bobsled Team, get some one-on-one time to dig into the team's challenges and the role of the Israeli Olympic Committee. Edelman details self-funding, starting a nonprofit to support the team, and hopes to grow the program.
Topics Discussed Include:
- Competing in sanctioned events under the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF) circuit
- Qualification pathways toward the Winter Olympics
- Being champion athletes from other sport disciplines
- The nickname “Shul Runnings”
- Having a Druze athlete on the team
- Training in the U.S.-based tracks in Lake Placid, New York, and Park City, Utah
- The measure of success is how far you’ve come, not how close you are to the top
- The mechanics of a two-man and four-man bobsled under IBSF regulations
- Putting together an “Ocean’s Eleven” team for bobsled
- Funding challenges and support from the Israeli Olympic Committee
- How to support the team in the future
Mentioned In The Episode:
Donate to the Israeli Bobsled Team
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Israel is Among a Number of Ethnostates
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Migrant Rights in UAE and Qatar
Swiss government rejects automatic citizenship for those born in Switzerland
Citizenship through Naturalization for Aliens of Greek ethnic origin
Egypt's Christians face 'constant pressure to hide their faith'
Israeli Law Declares the Country the ‘Nation-State of the Jewish People’
Arabs Make Up 20% of the Jewish Population
Arab residents of mixed cities disadvantaged compared to Jews - Comptroller
Ben Gvir’s policy goals: Going to extremes even Europe’s far right won’t touch
Palestinian Authority: You're a "traitor" if you sell land to the Jews
What does the Hamas charter say?
Israel’s first Olympic bobsled team heads to Italy in bid they have dubbed ‘Shul Runnings’
The Israeli bobsled team is in last place but calls themselves 'victors'
Kris Horn OK after solo ride as teammates fail to get into sled
Bobsled costs are skyrocketing. Can the U.S. keep up in a bedrock Olympic sport?
Israel team marches to smattering of boos at Milan Winter Olympics opening ceremony
AJ Edelman, The First Orthodox Jewish Male Olympian, Is Ready For Gold!
Meet Bat-El Gatterer, First Orthodox Jewish Female Olympian
MIT Alumnus Competes in Winter Olympics
From obese yeshivah student to Slider-Man – the remarkable run of Israel’s Olympic bobsleigh pilot
What To Know About ‘Shul Runnings,’ the Bobsled Team Representing Israel in the Winter Olympics
At the Olympics, Israel's athletes pay a high cost in the quest for gold
The Israeli Bobsled Team’s Withdrawal from the last day of Olympic Competition
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Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Chen, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
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