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:
Advancing Jewish Athletics
Donate to the Israeli Bobsled Team
AJ Edelman Instagram
Ward Fawarsy Instagram
Uri Zisman Instagram
Omer Katz Instagram
Itamar Shprinz Instagram
Menachem Chen Instagram
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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
Being Jewish with Jonah Platt