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Howard Blas

Howard Blas

Howard Blas is a social worker and special-education teacher by training. He teaches Jewish studies and prepares students with a range of disabilities for b’nai mitzvah. He regularly leads Birthright Israel “classic” and service trips for people with disabilities. His publications can be viewed here.

Team Israel played against the FDNY (Fire Department of New York) in Brooklyn, N.Y., before embarking on a series of exhibition games on the East Coast that will see them fly to Tokyo to compete in the Summer Olympic Games, July 11, 2021. Photo by Howard Blas.
Culture and Society
Back to baseball in Brooklyn and on to Tokyo for Team Israel
“The experience for these players, especially American Jews who made aliyah, has been incredibly enriching,” says David Wanger, father of pitcher Ben Wanger. “They are so much more attuned to their heritage, and they feel incredibly connected to Israel and to the Jewish people.”
Jul. 13, 2021
Howard Blas
Legion’s mission is to train and equip civilians with the skills needed to defend themselves and their families. Credit: Courtesy.
Feature
With attacks on Jews increasing, the need for self-defense is real
The Legion program aims to train and equip civilians with the necessary skills to defend themselves and their families.
Jul. 1, 2021
Howard Blas
Cyclists from Team Israel Start-Up Nation competing in the Tour de France. Credit: Team Israel Start-Up Nation/Twitter.
Israel News
Tour de France’s Israeli team tested by crashes, maintains optimism
On Tuesday, on the 150 flat kilometers (93 miles) from Redon to Fougeres, Israel Start-Up Nation was blessed with its first top 10 result in this year’s Tour de France.
Jun. 30, 2021
Howard Blas
Nefesh Mountain duo Eric Lindberg and Doni Zasloff. Credit: Courtesy.
Feature
Fusing bluegrass with Judaism, Nefesh Mountain seeks to uplift during challenging times
They have performed in hundreds of synagogues in the United States and around the world, representing Jewish American culture, tradition, values and spirituality in the world of Americana roots music.
Jun. 10, 2021
Howard Blas
Washington Wizards player Deni Avdija recovering from an injury at the end of a basketball season that saw the team make the playoffs, losing to the Philadelphia 76ers on June 2, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Nick Wass, Courtesy of the Washington Wizards/NBA.
Culture and Society
A long, strange six months for Israeli NBA player Deni Avdija
The 20-year-old got off to a fast start, only to get injured and have to sit out 18 games, as the Washington Wizards went to the playoffs, eventually ceding to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jun. 4, 2021
Howard Blas
Sylvan Adams (center right) with other international biking-race organizers promoting a new indoor cycling competition showcasing the world’s top track cyclists in Tel Aviv. Credit: Courtesy.
Feature
No spinning his wheels: Sylvan Adams gets rolling for bike race in Tel Aviv
Israel will be thrust into the international limelight when it hosts the final round of the inaugural UCI Track Champions League in December.
Jun. 1, 2021
Howard Blas
Sam Rosen. Credit: MSG Network.
Feature
At 73, legendary NHL announcer Sam Rosen is still calling the plays
The man who knows what it’s like to wait says he can’t wait for the post-COVID era, when he can return to getting to know the hockey players he has historically spent so much time with.
May. 24, 2021
Howard Blas
Dr. John Frank. Source: Screenshot.
Feature
Former 49er, current dad and doctor, goes to Jewish summer camp
Dr. John Frank plans to attend Ramah Sports Academy in Connecticut—helping in the medical field and maybe telling some stories that other field with the NFL.
May. 4, 2021
Howard Blas
The actors, writers and directors involved in the Israeli short film "White Eye," which has been nominated for an Oscar in the Best Live Action Short category for the 93rd Academy Awards, 2021. Source: Screenshot.
Feature
Israeli short film ‘White Eye’ in the running for an Oscar
The 21-minute work was shot in one take over the course of a single night. “Everyone said it was crazy,” recounts writer and director Tomer Shushan.
Apr. 23, 2021
Howard Blas
Israeli basketball player Deni Avdija at a practice in December 2020. Credit: The Washington Wizards.
Culture and Society
Deni Avdija out for rest of season with ankle injury
It comes as the Wizards are enjoying a six-game winning streak, the longest since 2017.
Apr. 22, 2021
Howard Blas
Israeli-American pitcher Dean Kremer, starting for the Baltimore Orioles, on April 6, 2021. Source: Screenshot.
Culture and Society
Israel makes history at ‘The House That Ruth Built’
Israeli-American pitcher Dean Kremer, 25, took to the mound in an Orioles-Yankees game that ended with a 7-2 win for the home team. Still, he now holds a place in the record books.
Apr. 7, 2021
Howard Blas
Rosalyn Gold-Onwude at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Source: Instagram.
Culture and Society
ESPN host/basketball star Rosalyn Gold-Onwude describes Israel’s impact on her career
The 33-year-old Stanford University standout and Nigerian national team player visited Israel twice on Birthright and spoke about how it’s helped discover her family history.
Mar. 22, 2021
Howard Blas
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