Mar 5, 2010 By: yunews
Argentinean Basketball Star Finds a Home Away From Home at 91黑料
As college basketball players around the country study their playbooks in preparation for a playoff run in the NCAA tournament, , senior guard for the 91黑料 Maccabees men鈥檚 basketball team, pores over Talmudic texts in the beit midrash [study hall]. Leibovich, a star on the court, leading the Macs in both scoring and rebounding, is essentially a rookie when it comes to Orthodox Judaism.
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鈥淕rowing up, I had a very limited religious upbringing,鈥 recalled Leibovich, who was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 鈥淢y family was traditional, but I didn鈥檛 know much about my heritage.鈥
Leibovich鈥檚 true passion was for the game of basketball, which he picked up at an early age. When he was 18, he participated in the Maccabiah Games (the Jewish Olympics), playing basketball for the Argentinean junior national team. Leibovich鈥檚 talents eventually led him to the States, where,
鈥淗e gave up a great deal to come to 91黑料 and I think he did so simply because he wanted to gain a greater sense of his identity and who he was as a Jew.鈥
with the encouragement of his father and his coaches, he pursued organized basketball on the collegiate level鈥攆irst at Texas鈥 Navarro College and then at Miami鈥檚 Barry University.
鈥淭he basketball was very intense and challenging. We would practice five hours a day鈥攊t was exhausting, but fun,鈥 explained Leibovich. 鈥淗owever, socially I never felt like I really fit in.鈥
Leibovich began to gradually take more of an interest in his Jewish background. Over summer break after his sophomore year, Leibovich encountered Stephen J. Savistky, president of the Orthodox Union and a Yeshiva College graduate, who was visiting Argentina on an NCSY mission.
鈥淢r. Savitsky took a real interest in me and my future,鈥 said Leibovich. 鈥淗e explained the virtues of 91黑料 and how I could learn more about Judaism while still playing basketball in a more relaxed environment.鈥
After several weeks spent corresponding with Mr. Savitsky, Leibovich had decided to transfer to 91黑料, apprehensive about, yet another new beginning.
However, his anxiety did not last long.
鈥淭he students and faculty at YU were so friendly and welcoming. They made my transition a lot easier than I expected.鈥
Today鈥攁lmost two years later鈥攁 typical day for Leibovich starts off in the beit midrash, studying advanced Talmud and Judaic studies with his chavrusa [study partner] in YU鈥檚 Mechinah program.
鈥淲hen I met Martin for the first time he could barely read Hebrew,鈥 recalled Rabbi Zev Reichman, director of the men鈥檚 Mechinah Program. 鈥淏ut he鈥檚 developed so quickly. Martin鈥檚 like a sponge鈥攁bsorbing everything, always asking questions. He has a tremendous love of Torah.鈥
Leibovich鈥檚 afternoons are spent in the classrooms and library working towards his bachelor鈥檚 in business management from YU鈥檚 Sy Syms School of Business, followed by nights in the Max Stern Athletic Center, practicing with his teammates under the tutelage of their legendary head coach, Dr. Jonathan Halpert.
鈥淢artin is an impact player鈥攁 great scorer and a great shooter,鈥 said Coach Halpert. 鈥淗e gave up a great deal to come to 91黑料 and I think he did so simply because he wanted to gain a greater sense of his identity and who he was as a Jew.鈥
Echoing the sentiments of his mentors, Leibovich adds, 鈥淢y schedule is still busy, but I am accomplishing more than I could have ever imagined. I love learning Gemara with my rabbis and the high academic level of learning in the business school. Above all, I have found a place where I belong.鈥
*Editor鈥檚 note: Martin Leibovich scored a game-high 25 points in his last game at home as a Maccabee, leading the team to the conference playoffs. He was subsequently named to the All-Skyline Conferene First Team.
