World Cup / Meet America's Jewish players
Friends since high school, Bornstein and Feilhaber have been on a shared journey to the World Cup, which includes stints with the UCLA Bruins and the U.S. Men’s National Team as well as a silver medal win during the 2005 Maccabiah Games.
Two Jewish soccer players from Southern California are on the U.S. team that faced England during America’s first World Cup match, in Rustenburg, South Africa, on June 12.
 |
Benny Feilhaber |
| Photo by: JewishJournal.com |
Jonathan Bornstein and Benny Feilhaber, both 25, along with Chicago’s Jonathan Spector, 24, a defender for London’s West Ham United and the grandson of NBA star Art Spector, comprise one of the largest Jewish contingents on a single team in the U.S. squad’s history.
 |
Jonathan Bornstein |
| Photo by: JewishJournal.com |
Friends since high school, Bornstein and Feilhaber have been on a shared journey to the World Cup, which includes stints with the UCLA Bruins and the U.S. Men’s National Team as well as a silver medal win during the 2005 Maccabiah Games.
For the full story on JewishJournal.com click here
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
Because i think ill do it for Benny pictured above. Very nice!
Go USA!!! We nearly beat England!! Bring all of them on!!
I am so very proud and happy to be a Jew. A non Jew just does not get it.
Er, this was in the Jewish World section. That is why it is about Jews!
otherwise, please do provide full breakdown of US football team along the lines of a. ethnic origin b. racial origin c. geographical birth origin d. affiliation to Jane Fonda Make sure cheer leaders included ( if they did bring the team to the cup, of course )
Great ... I will be forwarding this to the Algerian team. This will give the US-Algeria game more fire. I always wanted the musims and jews to settle this on a soccer field !
What is your point? Are Jews not allowed to be proud of other Jews? Is there something wrong about that? There are so little of us in the world, let us be proud of the accomplishments of this minority to raise above its numerical inferiority and be highly represented, way above our per capita percentage, in many fields and sports. Get over your anti-Semitic attitude.
This is a team game and not a 'trumps game' of religion. Root for a team effort, and not for religious exclusivity. We have major problems in the Scottish FA teams because of people veering down the road that you are all heading down.
Where are you? I'm Ted, a college pal now living abroad for more than 20 years. Please send info. Ted Birnberg
To the sad ones, we, the “Jews” (or at least most of us), tend to congratulate and feel satisfaction for people that achieve important things in life. It also happens that we feel good with achievements obtained by Jewish people with whom we share a common type of education and/or background. We enjoy having not only soccer players, but artist and scientist too among our “breed”. If you do not enjoy just do not read the article. On another topic, although I am not cheering for America, I will cheer for my Jewish brothers. I just hope they lose against Argentina if we face them.
I think the point is that there has never been a world class jewish footballer so this is something for israel to be proud of. The USA football team is rubbish, anyone watching the game will see a huge difference in quality between the USA and England.
Neil. Spot ON. Generous USA is extending the Brits foreign aid, in form of soccer know-how. 1. You WISH you had equals to Dempsey & Donovan 2. You WISH " " " " Howard 3. You WISH " " someone to match Altidore's pace We kep Rooney on the sodelines, out of the game. Gerrard is no match for Dempsy. Cricket, anyone ?
The US team has two jewish players, fine. With all due respect to the team, how many Catholics, or Lutherans, or other religions are represented on the team? Is the article trying to say something special about the team having two Jews?
The point I would imagine is fairly obvious. Most Israelis are Jewish and it is informing them there are 3 Jews on the US team. Not necessarily special but a fact linking the players to Israel.
Jews worldwide are proud of these talented young men. Being a Jew is more than a religious belief. It has been proven that there is genetic link among all Jews, and therefore Jews are much more than simply adherents of the same faith. No one is slighting the other players for not being Jewish. Is it wrong to be proud to be Jewish?
In case you have not noticed this is an Israeli news site and this is interesting news to Jewish people. If you don't like reading about it then close your computer or shut up.
... We are proud of them. Why don't you mind your own business?
why get upset joe? if I was told that a few new yorkers were on the squad I would be interested seeing as im a new yorker. It's a cultural similarity. what's the big deal?? Catholics and lutherans dont feel a kinship towards one another, that's all. dont get all riled up man..
but the World cup is all about Nationalism, different countries competing to outdo the other. So what's the problem in pointing out that in this World of billions of people two Jews happen to be representing the USA. Unless you have a problem that they happen to be Jews?
How does religion enter into the equation? So, should we be concerned about Koby's religion? Or the Williams' sisters? Is this some kind of "feel" good article. It is really stupid. What does the fact of being Jewish has anything to do with being a soccer player?
making an impact
this is not about religion, but ethnicity. jews are not "religion only", but a people
This is a Jewish and Israeli affiliated newspaper. What'd you expect? If it pisses you off to hear about Jews, take your stupidity elsewhere.
Being Jewish is not religion only. Its ethnicity as well, so telling that team USA has jewish players makes Jewish audience of this paper proud to belong to this both religion/ethnicity. If you still think this article stupid, stay away of Jewish paper idiot.
because Jews are so few in this world, we (Jews) view successful Jews as matter of national pride. Is that so bad?
First of all, Jews are an ethnic group. Second of all, like any other group, they can be proud when someone from their community accomplishes something outstanding. Third of all, discussing Jews in sports will always be a source of pride for Members of the Tribe, who are historically and stereotypically considered nonathletic.
There are few Jews in this world. The old stereotype was that we could not be athletes. We are. We are proud. At least this is something positive about us as a race. They made a big deal about Sandy too. Was that racist?
judaism is many things, it's a culture, a people, an ancient nationality, and a religion. and yes, people talk about the williams siters being black in a sport that is traditionally dominated by whites. Jews are not usually big in sports so that's why it made news..
Jews are a ethno-religious group with 90% unique DNA that separates them from the Gentiles of the world, it's not just a rag tag religion forced spread around the world. The fact that Jews in USA comprise less than 2% and we have 2 Jews on the USA team, it is a pride and a miricle. Now, instead of being jealous of Jewish success, go learn how to be this great.
Or is wrong when a Latina is elected to the US supreme court and this makes Latinos proud? I guess hating it is hard to imagine being proud being one.
Stop this americanisms. The game is called Football, everywhere except USA, where they hardly play it, so please, call it respectively.
It's called soccer down here too, we have a much better game called football here. Anyway, go Aussie!
In Canada also, even in the French speeking province of Québec!
Maybe the journalist should meet with the FIFA and be explained what it really means. There is no "soccer". The USA "american football" does not like it because theiy right fear to lose their market share in the USA.
thank good that israel didn´t qualify for World Cup in Southafrica. There would have been no team to play with them.
As a long standing ex-pat American in the UK, I was conflicted about whom to cheer for. Now I know!