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Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv, New York Knicks And YouTube Contest
This will be the first time the New York Knicks hosts an international sports team on its home court, and the New York Knicks are taking it very seriously. "I am kind of hoping that we do not embarrass ourselves too much," said Knicks president and coach Isaiah Thomas at a press conference announcing the game. "Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv of Israel has long had a renowned international presence in the game of basketball and has demonstrated the ability to compete with teams in the NBA, we look forward to the match-up." For the Israel Tel Aviv Macabbi coach Oded Katash, the long awaited match will be a homecoming of sorts. Katash, one of the best basketball players Israel ever produced, was supposed to play for the Knicks in 1999 before the NBA strike shortened the season. "The fans will enjoy the game. We plan to plan an aggressive, offensive game. Maccabi does not have many preseason games this year so we need to make every one of them counts," he told ISRAEL21c. Maccabi player Will Bynum, who briefly played for the NBA's Golden State Warriors is looking forward to seeing his old friends that play for the Knicks like Jamail Crawford, Eddie Curry, and Nat Robinson. "We can win this game. With the addition of the new players to the Maccabi's team this year, we are ready to show that we are equal to an NBA team," he said. In addition to an exciting show of US Israel sports entertainment, the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be using the occasion to attract more tourists and Olim to make Aliya to Israel. The Israel Ministry of Foriegn Affairs and the Israel Friendship League (AIFL) have come together to create a global YouTube.com video contest. The winning Israel YouTube Internet videos, which will illustrate positive images of the Jewish state, will be viewed on the ‘big screens’ on October 11 at New York's Madison Square Garden during the New York Knicks Maccabi Tel Aviv exhibition basketball game. The
Israel Video YouTube Contest video competition ended on September
30th but dozens of videos are still being submitted to YouTube
as many see the real contest as placing as many pro Israel videos
on YouTube. At the Israel US Big Apple basketball game, over 20,000 fans will be asked to select their favorite Israel YouTube tourism video whose creator will be awarded by the America Israel Friendship League with a round trip flight from Israel to New York or New York to Israel. The Israel YouTube Sites and Faces contest can be viewed with comments welcomed at www.isrealli.org/maccabi the official blog of Israel’s Consulate in New York. The Maccabi Tel Aviv - New York Knicks matchup has long been a dream of former Maccabi star player, Tal Brody, who's originally from the US. "Since our first game in the US two decades ago against the Philadelphia 76'ers, our dream was to play in Madison Square Garden against the Knicks and to have the Jewish community and our Israeli fans in the American filling the 19,500 seats," he told ISRAEL21c. "It's a tribute to the team that has brought so much honor and respect to Israel in winning the European Basketball Championships five times, as well as raising the country's morale through so many difficult times." Perennial Israel national champion, Maccabi TA has won two Euro league Championships in the last several years and is considered one of the most successful clubs in the league. It is the first team to win back to back championships in 14 years. The New Yor Knicks sports team, on the other hand, has not won a championship in 30 years and is coming off six losing seasons. Last season, they lost 15 out of the last 19 games due to injury. Regardless of what happens on the court, the children of Migdal Ohr (Light tower) in Israel are the big winners. Based in Migdal Ha'emek, Israel's largest youth village provides a home and education to over 6,500 orphaned, impoverished, underprivileged, and new immigrant children. "Migdal Ohr provides 10,000 lunches every day," emphasized Robert Katz, executive director of American Friends of Migdal Ohr. The organization was founded by charismatic Rabbi Dovid Grossman, who picked up the nickname of the 'Disco Rabbi' for his routine of frequenting clubs and nightspots in Migdal Haemek to try to dissuade the town's youth from entering a life of crime. Former prime minister Ariel Sharon once credited Grossman for "effectively rebuilding the Jewish Nation, which the Nazis tried to destroy." As part of that rebuilding effort, the Knicks - Maccabi TA game is the highlight of a 'Hoops and Dreams Week' benefiting American Friends of Migdal Ohr. According to honorary chairman of the festivities, New York Daily News owner Mort Zuckerman, "American Friends of Migdal Ohr developed a creative and entertaining platform to share its message. The basketball game, the gala, and other events throughout the week will help strengthen the bond between America and Israel and ensure that Rabbi Grossman and his staff will be able to help Israeli children for generations to come." The Knicks' Thomas said he was easily convinced to become involved in the project after hearing about Migdal Ohr's efforts. "The Knicks has been working two years to organize this event. I am from a family of nine and I was one of those kids who were at risk," he said. The game will be kicked off on a high note by native Israeli singer and Broadway sensation Dudu Fisher, singing 'Hatikva'. The half-time show will feature a special on-court ceremony celebrating the memory of former Knicks coach Red Holzman who helped lead the Knicks to two NBA Championships in 1970 and 1973, and was elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985. "The upcoming basketball game provides a great opportunity to give those who support Israel a chance to show the Israel they know and love to Americans on one of the biggest and well known stages in New York City, Madison Garden," said Saranga. Saranga has achieved recent public relations fame by implementing modern marketing methods to secure a more positive image of Israel. The
Israel consular official based in New York approached men's
magazine Maxim nine months ago. For a chance to cheer the yellow and blue (Maccabi's Tel Aviv colors) team from the country with the blue and white flag, the place to be is Madison Square Garden on October 11 at 7:00 pm. Tickets for the exhibition game can be purchased at TicketMaster outlets, the Madison Square Garden Box Office and www.nyknicks.com. "We hope that in New York those that haven't bought tickets as yet will come and support us and pay tribute not only to the Maccabi Team, but to Rabbi Grossman and Migdal Ohr," concluded Brody. "It is a real mitzvah to be there." Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv became the first international team to win on North American soil in 2005 when they defeated the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. Tickets for the exhibition game can be purchased at TicketMaster outlets, the Madison Square Garden Box Office and www.nyknicks.com.
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