By Joel H. Cohen
NEW YORK — Beyond family, friends, and freedom, it may seem difficult to find reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving. But even in this era of widespread strife and uncertainly, there are undertakIngs that deserve celebration.
One remarkable example has been taking place for 15 years in my hometown, Staten Island, N.Y. It’s consistent with the Jewish principle of tikkun olam (“repair of the world”), which adherents interpret as Jews bearing responsibility not only for their own spiritual and moral welfare, but also for that of others.
The annual two-day program, appropriately named the Unity Games, centers on basketball, but uses the sport as a jumping-off point for intergroup understanding. The games are encompassed by workshops, clinics, and courses in sportsmanship, ethnic and religious tolerance, and mutual understanding, anti-bullying, drugs, gang awareness, cultural diversity, internet safety. Above all, a better understanding of one another and possible long-term friendship
The idea for the Unity Games originated with a Jewish orthopedist, Dr. Mark Sherman, and an African-American surgical technician, Jacob Carey, who both coached teams of young basketball players, white and black respectively. They agreed it was unfortunate that teens generally played basketball only with and against members of their own ethnic groups, and never got to know the others except as sports rivals.
So the two arranged for a basketball game between an African-American team and Jewish team, which they felt was a step forward, but left them wanting more of a connection for the youngsters. The kid who played basketball against each other still did not socialize with one another, and congregated just with members of their own group.
To broaden their horizons, Carey and Sherman came up with a plan: annual basketball games, but with a mandatory ethnically integrated line-up for every team. The goal: kids of different backgrounds would be team mates and, eventually, it was hoped, friends.
The Unity Games, held annually on a March weekend, include meals, snacks, uniforms (all free for the kids, as is enrollment in the Games, and free busing if needed). There are rooms for socializing, games and contests.
There have been appearances by New York Knicks stars Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, and the late Dave DeBusschere. Local prominent sports figures volunteer as referees and coaches. Many of the volunteers were themselves players in the Games as young teens. Teachers and New York City firefighters are among the volunteers giving courses.
Games are hard-fought buy there’s no MVP, no first place or last.
“We push the issue of diversity,” Carey said, a theme echoed by Sherman, who told the Staten Island Advance, “The Games are more than a basketball event. The need for interracial relationships is immense,” adding that the Games began as a way to give teens from different etjnic backgrounds a better understanding of and regard for each other, promote tolerance, and create friendships while they have fun.
Participation is up to nearly 400 seventh and eighth graders. Boys now field 26 teams, girls, 6. And some current participants are from other boroughs of New York City, from New Jersey, and as far aways as Washington, D.C. The founders hope to make the Games a national event.
The Games are supported by donations from banks and the JCC, CYO, and YMCA, as well as individuals.
The unity theme is carried out even in uniforms. When the teens play, they wear different-colored team outfits. But at the closing ceremomy, everyone wears the same color.
In the area of tikkun olam, the Unity Games are a three-pointer.
For more information about the Games: www.theunitygames.com
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Cohen is a freelance writer based in New York. he may be contacted via joel.cohen@sdjewishworld.com