Sports

The discovery of a Jewish Negro League star forces a rewrite of Jewish baseball history

Oscar Levis was one of the finest pitchers of his era. He was Black and he was Jewish. And for a century, baseball didn’t have the categories to say so.

Oscar Levis, known early in his career as “Chick Levy,” and later as “Oscal,” was celebrated as the premier pitcher in Panama before joining the Cuban Stars and Hilldale Daisies in the Negro Leagues.
Hapoel Tel Aviv players celebrate on the bench during their 90-81 comeback Euroleague victory over Virtus Bologna in Bulgaria.

Hapoel Tel Aviv rallies in Euroleague basketball, Jerusalem stays perfect in EuroCup

Maccabi Haifa players celebrate during a recent victory as Barak Bachar’s Greens continue their resurgence, climbing to second place in the Israeli Premier League and emerging as serious contenders in the championship race.

From preseason disaster to title contender: How Barak Bachar turned Maccabi Haifa around

LeBron James #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action during the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2026 in New York City.

Trump says LeBron James showed disrespect during US national anthem


Israeli guard Yam Madar signs three-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv after leaving rival Hapoel

The 25-year-old point guard (1.90m), who grew up supporting Maccabi, joins the Israeli League and State Cup champion under head coach Oded Katash.

Yam Madar in Maccabi Tel Aviv uniform.

Cuban delegation to Maccabiah Games overcomes significant hurdles to reach Israel

"If you can see people, for example, with kippah on the street, with tefillin or tallit, it’s like to be inside of the synagogue, a big synagogue. It’s amazing to be here.”

Gymnasts compete during the Israeli Gymnastics Championships and the Maccabiah Gymnastics Championships at Pais Arena in Jerusalem, July 10, 2026.

Captain Belaga focused on leading Israel’s basketball U20s at Euros - interview

Alongside Belaga, the U20 team features other talented players, such as Oren Sahar and Yaron Goldman.

ISRAEL UNDER-20 men’s captain Rani Belaga is determined to lead the blue-and-white as they pursue the European Championship title in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Celebrating silver: Blue-and-white U20 women finish as European runner-up

Ayala Oren helped cut the gap, but France center Sarah Cisse dominated the paint during that stretch to give her side a 44-31 advantage at halftime.

THE ISRAEL under-20 women's national team poses following a second-place finish at the FIBA European Championship after falling to France in the final.

'Ted Lasso' actor Cristo Fernandez makes professional soccer debut

Fernandez, who appeared as recurring character Danny Rojas on the hit streaming series, made his USL debut for El Paso in its USL Cup match against New Mexico United on Saturday night.

Cristo Fernandez inside the stadium before a match, June 28, 2026.

Two medals for Israeli squash at European championship

Two Israeli athletes earned medals in squash at the European Junior Open Championship, setting milestones in their athletic careers and for Israel.

ELAD ROBINSHTOK (left) and Naomi Wiegenfeld (right) celebrated their respective silver and bronze medals for Israel at the European Junior Open Championship in Hamburg.

Former soccer players show brain changes but no cognitive decline, researchers find

The study, by researchers at Imperial College London, included 142 former players aged between 30 and 60 and compared them to 56 similarly aged healthy people with no history of contact sports.

Argentina players celebrate after the match as Argentina qualify for the semi finals of the World Cup.

Is Lionel Messi a Zionist? The Argentine soccer star’s long history with Jewish and Israeli life

Some critics of Israel have surfaced his past activities and affiliations to make the case that opposing Argentina is the anti-Zionist choice. Many Israelis, meanwhile, favor the team.

Lionel Messi, then with FC Barcelona, puts a paper with wishes in a crack in the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, in Jerusalem during a team trip to Israel and the West Bank, Aug. 4, 2013.

Reporter's notebook: At the Maccabiah, I found more than a medal

Then, five months ago, while recreationally shooting some hoops with friends, I was recruited to the Israel national women’s basketball team.

Maccabiah team sports photo July 8, 2026.

Pixellot expands Maccabiah coverage to bring Games to global Jewish communities

“We are pleased to partner with the Maccabiah Games once again and support this remarkable celebration of sports and community,” said Pixellot CEO Doron Gerstel.

A PIXELLOT automated camera provides live coverage of Maccabiah competitions.