a. Not enough facilities.
We have very few real baseball fields. Many of our teams play on whatever patch of grass or dirt we can find. We are currently working to find land to build a field in Rehovot (my home town)
b. Recruiting Israelis to the program.
We're attempting to get into the schools in Rehovot. We show up with a bat, ball and a couple of gloves and try to get as many kids exposed to the game as we can.
c. Making the game relevant and
learn-able for Israelis. We put a huge emphasis and effort to make sure that our programs are coached in Hebrew. I have also realized that if an Israeli child does not begin playing before the age of 11-12, it is very difficult for him to walk onto a full size diamond and play baseball with MLB rules. I am now working on developing a slow pitch softball program for U-18s. I hope this will attract more Israelis to the sport.
Wow, you really are doing a lot. Good luck! Tell us more about your work as a Social Worker and Mental Health Officer in the IDF? I work for a nursing company based in Lod and Modaiin. We provide caregivers for the elderly and disabled. My job is mostly to do house calls and assessments. We have a variety of caregivers and are able to provide a wide range of services. In addition, we have 15 old age homes. My job is to find the best solution of care for our clients, and to make sure it's provided in the best professional way possible.
I currently work every other Friday as a Mental Health Officer (Kaban) in the IDF. I do this as part of my reserve duty. I serve at a military prison. There I am tasked with seeing every soldier who is on suicide watch. My job is to decide if that soldier can be removed from suicide watch or not. In addition, every soldier who arrives at the prison needs to be screened by a Kaban. It is illegal in Israel to imprison someone who has a major mental disability. I sit in on a talk they have with the commander and need to make sure they are mentally fit to be imprisoned.
In addition, in the time of war, I would be attached to a base in the West Bank. My job would be to provide mental care to soldiers fighting in that area. Basically, we are trying to prevent PTSD. I train for that job about two weeks a year.
What do you think about the Buccos? Man, I love the Buccos. I got all my Pirates gear, and follow all the games. I feel we are just one or two pieces away from being really good. We can't seem to beat the other teams aces. We could sure use an ace of our own.
Is it safe to say you watch MLBTV.com? Actually, not so much. The games are usually in the middle of the night, and I just don't have the time to watch the replays. I watch all the highlights, and when there's an afternoon game, I'll watch.
What is your favorite shiur to go to? A quick one:) In Rehovot we have a group of guys who get together every Sunday to watch the early NFL game. During the off season, we meet and every week someone else brings another topic involving yahadut. It's just a great group of guys.
What do you and your chavrusa learn? We just finished the MLB rule book, and are beginning Softball:)
I actually don't have a full time chavrusa. I go over the parsha every week, and try to learn some gemara a couple times a week.
Shawarma or falafel? Depends on my mood. I love both. I have a falafel probably once every other week. Shawarma is more of a treat, and I'd have to say I do prefer a good Shawarma.
INF or OF? I've always been an INF. I have played every position on the diamond, but I don't have the speed to be a good outfielder. I love the speed of the infield. I just feel you're more involved. Plus, you have a shorter run to the dugout.
What are your thoughts on the DH? Truth is I like it. I grew up a NL guy, so I was taught to hate it. The more I'm around the game and coaching it the more I like it. It allows the coach to put his best lineup forward. I feel that's the way the game should be. I feel it makes the game more fun.
Mustard or Ketchup? I love both. Depends on the situation. On my hotdog, I'd have to go with Ketchup. In Israel I have learned to love sweet chili sauce. That is now my favorite.
Tell us about the alumni reunion. What was your favorite part? The food:) I really enjoyed seeing friends I hadn't seen in a long time. The Pittsburgh community is such a close knit community. It is unfortunate that those of us in Israel don't get to spend more time together.
It was also great to hear about all the new and great things that are happening at Hillel. It was amazing to hear Rabbi Weinberg, who I grew up with, talk as the Principal of a school.
It stunk that the merchandise didn't arrive though:) I was looking forward to my Hillel sweatshirt.
I heard you will still be getting the Hillel gear! Should MLB have a pitch clock? You mean a clock between pitches? No, I don't think they should. One of the basic principles of the game, is that the pitcher controls the speed of the game. Also, if there is a runner on base, things are happening. The rule now is that the umpire, as long as he feels the pitcher is not purposely wasting time, can take as long as he needs. I think that's an important rule.
