Following the unlikely victory of Portsmouth against Tottenham in the semi final of the FA Cup after a dismal season - “a season of hell ending in heaven” - David Horowitz editor of the Jerusalem Post, wrote an excellent piece about the Portsmouth manager and Israeli,  Avram Grant. 

We will remember how Grant was a surprise choice as manager of Chelsea, some years back.   Despite being put under massive pressure from the press and Chelsea fans,  Chelsea did well, only to stumble at the last moment. 

But now, Grant is the the hero in England for guiding struggling Portsmouth to the FA Cup Final… 

David Horowitz nicely weaves Grant’s experiences with that of Israel. As Horowitz writes “In our 63rd year, we deserve to have our qualities more widely appreciated. And we don’t just deserve, but rather require, more practical support. The unfairly maligned, belatedly appreciated and dignified Avram Grant has been leading an embattled soccer club, seeking success on the field of play. We are an embattled nation, seeking survival.

But as the Grant saga exemplifies, the capacity to act honorably is not enough to reverse misperceptions. The ability to show resilience is not sufficient to woo new friends and regain old ones. In a world that is superficial, unfair, quick to oversimplify, misjudge, distort and misassign blame, what you have to do, ultimately, is to act honorably, to show resilience… and to win.”  

Portsmouth 2  Tottenham 0  here for the last few minutes of the game, and here for the goals.  In the final, Avram Grant and the jubilant Portsmouth fans (hear them shout for Avram!) will be up against Grant’s old club, Chelsea.

Onward and upward also for Israel as we celebrate Yom Haatzmaut.

Larry David paticipated in a Seder survivor spoof here that is worthwhile if only for the Larry David glimpses.

And a reminder of the parting of the Red Sea at Universal Studios - a great part of the tour which has evidently been put out to pasture.

Chag Sameach

The last few days have been very sad ones in the Australian general and Jewish soccer world, since the tragic death of Ian (Iggy) Gray. 

Iggy starred at all levels of Australian soccer, including in the national team.  Here are summaries of his career here and here.

After retiring from this top level, he played a major role stimulating young and not-so-young players at Maccabi in Sydney to strive for their best… including to represent Australia in Maccabiah competitions in Israel. 

Among the many words used to describe him were ..  integrity, dedication to soccer, fitness and fair play, loyalty to his friends, highly developed sense of community, humour, leadership qualities, one of the best,  that one would be proud to have had the privilege of knowing.

Best wishes and condolences to his family and the many friends he inspired on and off the field.

A US plane was diverted for an early landing, after a passenger put on tefillin as part of davening, as described here.  According to the article, the stewardess had told the pilot that the passenger was wearing an instrument with “wires running from it and going up to his fingers.”

Although it’s obviously no joking matter, and is an unfortunate biproduct of  major anxiety, it’s different from the story set in a hospital where a patient is eyeing another one in the ward - “one day in hospital and he’s already taking his own blood pressure!” .. and rare cases of tefillin related contact dermatitis, due to potassium dichromate in the leather of tefillin straps.

So it’s back to the football drawing boards for Israel’s World Cup aspirations- while they watch what might have been in South Africa.

Alex Sinclair takes us to the unique experience of being a spectator at an Israeli qualifier.  Makes you long for a small paper bag of garanim (sunflower seeds).

Where would Israel be without sunflower seeds - one pundit thinks the banning of Garanim spitting has been a plus in Israel. Oh Really!

For those who want to know more, the Sunflower magazine clarifies that: 

In-shell means the seed is left intact with the “meat” of the seed still in the shell. It is normally roasted and seasoned. It is eaten as a snack by cracking the shell with one’s teeth, discarding the hull and eating the delicious morsel within. ‘Chew and spit’ is a great American pastime, especially at baseball games and other outdoor events.

The magazine also provides the amazing fact that a sunflower grown in the Netherlands holds the record for being the tallest sunflower in the world. It measured 25 feet, 5.4 inches.  Source 2994 Guiness World Records.  A 25 foot sunflower - now that’s scary, like John Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids 

Back to the Garanim, I’d say.