Israeli basketball legends came out of retirement last week for a charity game at Ryerson University against a York Regional Police team.
Labelled a friendly exhibition, the legends, many of whom are in their mid-50s to early 60s, played competitively, keeping the sold-out crowd on its feet for most of the 40-minute game.
“We want to give the crowd their money’s worth,” said Miki Berkowitz, 55, named as one of the 50 Greatest Euroleague Contributors in 2008.
The crowd of about 500 people was predominately Jewish, mostly Israelis who came to cheer on their former heroes.
The game featured some of the best players Tel Aviv teams have ever produced, including Moti Aroesti, Barry Leibowitz and Doron Jamchi. The team was coached by Israeli Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Tal Brody, said to be the best player in Maccabi Tel Aviv history.
Despite a heart-breaking 53-49 loss to a police team half their ages, the Israeli veterans never showed signs of throwing in the towel.
“We were all once champions on Tel Aviv teams,” Berkowitz said. “It’s a part of us to play hard.”
A four-minute stretch in the second quarter saw Israel take an 11-point lead. Otherwise, the game was within three points until the final minute, when the police took a seven-point lead and held on for the win.
There were plenty of moments that left the crowd in awe, such as 64-year-old Leibowitz’s dive for a loose ball, and Berkowitz’s three-point shot that made it a one-possession game with a minute to go.
“It’s important that we show everyone we don’t give up,” said Aroesti, who wore Maccabi Tel Aviv’s yellow and blue for 15 consecutive seasons.
“Toronto is such a nice city, with a beautiful atmosphere and a strong Jewish community. [Israelis] want to build a relationship with Toronto.”
The game was held in Toronto to coincide with the Toronto International Film Festival’s “City to City” program showcasing Tel Aviv.
“I haven’t seen any of the films, but I’m sure they’re just as good as the people who made them,” Aroesti said. “Between the [basketball] game and the [film] festival, Tel Aviv has a chance to show Toronto and really the world what we’re all about and who we really are.”
The proceeds from the game will go to the Jewish-Arab David Lewis Soccer and Educational Center in Jaffa, Israel.
“We are very fortunate to have a strong relationship with the Arab community in Jaffa,” Berkowitz said. “Hopefully this donation shows our willingness and want to reach out even more.”