The Maccabi World Union organization has long been a pillar of Jewish sports culture, with the renowned Maccabiah Games standing as the second-largest international sporting event, surpassed only by the Olympics. Now, Maccabi is broadening its reach through the Israel Sports Experience, an innovative program designed for Jewish athletes to develop their skills while immersing themselves in Israeli culture and exploring their Jewish identity as well. This opportunity, currently focused on basketball, is set to expand into soccer in the upcoming year. It offers Jewish athletes the chance to play competitively at a semi-pro level for a year in Israel, without sacrificing their academic or athletic futures.
The Israel Sports Experience is for Jewish athletes from around the world, and this year, includes participants from the U.S., Canada, Australia and Mexico. These athletes, although not Israeli citizens, are welcomed into a professional sports league hierarchy that offers five distinct tiers of competition. For many, the Israel Sports Experience represents the first time they can combine their athletic aspirations with their Jewish identity in such a direct and supportive environment.
For the first time in Israeli basketball, this team—composed entirely of Jewish athletes from abroad—is playing in Israel’s fifth-tier league. The athletes, fresh out of high school, are not paid, so that their college eligibility remains intact. This structure allows participants to hone their skills, grow physically and mentally, and ultimately enhance their chances for future athletic success—whether that means entering college sports or pursuing professional opportunities.
Michael Siegal, chairman of Maccabi World Union ( and the first chairman from the U.S. in Maccabi’s history) proudly said that “basketball is the sport which is a global phenomenon, and it embraces the values we aspire towards: strength, competition, fair play and camaraderie. At Maccabi we seek to use these values to build unity between Israel and the global Jewish community. We welcome this team of players from the U.S. and around the world and hope that beyond the competition, they feel the warmth and opportunity to connect to our brothers and sisters and enhance their Jewish journeys during their year.”
While sports are central to the program, the Israel Sports Experience provides a much more holistic approach to personal and professional development. The athletes train rigorously each morning, “focusing on getting bigger, better, stronger,” said Adi Ciner, director of the program. “However,” Ciner continued, “the program also emphasizes the importance of building connections beyond the basketball court. In the afternoons, the participants intern with sports-related high-tech companies, giving them a valuable introduction to Israel’s booming tech scene.”
Participants also gain from a deep immersion into Israeli culture. The program includes travel, historical exploration and Jewish education, making it a well-rounded experience that fosters personal growth. Approximately a third of the athletes come from Jewish day schools, yet others arrive with little previous exposure to Israel. Regardless of background, the program aims to help these young athletes develop not just as players but as individuals with a newfound or deepened love for Israel.
“I am very eager to see what this program has in store.” exclaimed Imri Rom, a graduate of Heschel and one of several players from the New York/New Jersey area, “The thought of being able to continue my basketball career and live in Israel is exhilarating!”
One of the standout aspects of the Israel Sports Experience is its commitment to Jewish values. The program operates as shomer Shabbat, meaning that no practices are held on Shabbat, and all games take place on weekdays. This allows participants to grow as athletes while staying true to their religious beliefs.
Moreover, “Sports act as a unifier, bringing together participants from different countries and levels of religious observance,” explained Ciner, who attended Yeshiva University High School for Boys/MTA and later received his master’s in education and his bachelor’s in psychology from Yeshiva University. By working toward common athletic goals, they form bonds that transcend their varied backgrounds.
The program operates out of Kfar Maccabiah, a campus near Tel Aviv which is equipped with dormitories and sports facilities, and it provides a home for the 12 athletes participating this year. However, the vision for the Israel Sports Experience extends far beyond its current scope. Program leaders like Coach Chaim Katz, a longtime basketball coach, and Ciner are already considering expanding to include a team of female athletes in the future, and a track for non-athletes in sports media and sports management.
Not only do the participants train and compete, but they also get the unique chance to meet with celebrities and professional athletes who visit the Maccabi campus. These interactions, along with mentorship from experienced coaches and trainers, add an invaluable layer to the experience. Rob Siemens, founder of Play Hard Pray Hard and a sponsor of the team, said that “Play Hard Pray Hard and Israel SportsXP have a common goal in combining the physical with the spiritual to reach our full potential.”
The Israel Sports Experience is more than just a sports program. It is a life-changing opportunity for Jewish athletes to grow in ways they never thought possible—physically, mentally and spiritually. With ambitious plans for expansion and an unwavering commitment to Jewish values, the program is set to play an essential role in the lives of many more athletes in the years to come. “I feel very strongly in describing our program that we want to give young Jewish athletes the opportunity to be their best and fulfill their personal ambitions,” emphasized Ciner.
For additional information:
Israel Sports Experience info: https://www.yachadmaccabi.org/basketballexperience
Maccabiah Games 2025 info: https://www.maccabi.org/maccabiah/maccabiah-2025
Arnie Draiman is a philanthropic consultant helping people and foundations give their tzedakah money away wisely, efficiently, and effectively for over 25 years – and has lived in Israel for 40 years and loves the Israeli sports scene (Yalla HaPoel!). In addition, he consults to hi-tech start-ups, and is an expert in Social Media marketing and promotion. He can be reached at: [email protected]
