Israel hoops icon Tal Brody honored with Bar Ilan doctorate

Brody was recognized “for his commitment to enhancing the ‘Spirit of Israel’ and engendering good will for the country which he, himself, helped ‘put on the map.’

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Tal Brody meets with Bar-Ilan University president Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz (photo credit: Courtesy)
Tal Brody meets with Bar-Ilan University president Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Exactly 40 years after Maccabi Tel Aviv was crowned as European champion for the first time, chairman Shimon Mizrahi, and teammates Mickey Berkowitz and Aulcie Perry gathered on Monday to salute Tal Brody upon his receipt of an honorary doctorate from Bar-Ilan University.
Mizrahi, along with Deputy Minister Michael Oren, who together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recruited Brody to become a Goodwill Ambassador for Israel, and Ronnie Stern, President of the American Friends of Bar-Ilan University, placed the ceremonial hood upon Brody’s shoulders.
Brody was recognized “for his commitment to enhancing the ‘Spirit of Israel’ and engendering good will for the country which he, himself, helped ‘put on the map.’ Whether on or off the basketball court, or in the international arena of public diplomacy, Tal Brody brings his boundless love for and pride in the Jewish people to the fore, and as such, has become a symbol of pride for Israelis and American Jewry alike,” read the citation for his award.
Brody has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the State of Israel since 2008, visiting college campuses and other establishments to promote and strengthen Israel’s image through lectures and conversations with young adults.
“My goal at this point in my life is to devote all my time, ability and talent to serving and contributing to the well-being of the State of Israel,” he said upon being chosen by the Foreign Ministry to serve in this position. “I believe I can lead many people around the world to a better understanding of Israel and her many attributes.”