State&Local New film spotlights Israel’s hoops ‘miracle’ NJ native Tal Brody claimed iconic victory over USSR put his adopted country ‘on the map’ RON KAPLAN Menkin’s enthusiasm for the proj- NJJN Features Editor ect went beyond the usual build-up; it was evident that the project is quite n 1965, Trenton native Tal Brody personal for him. made a momentous decision. The game “is one of my first child- Having just led the U.S. basket- hood memories,” the 45-year-old I Israeli told NJ Jewish News. “I remem- ball team to a gold medal in the Mac- cabiah Games — the quadrennial ber my dad picking me up and taking sporting event that brings thousands me on his shoulders to the Kings of of Jews from around the globe to Israel Square [now Rabin Square in Israel — the 21-year-old point guard Tel Aviv]. It was like Independence from the University of Illinois passed Day. That’s what brought me to this on a career in the NBA to make aliya. film.” A dozen years later, Brody — the He compared the victory with the 12th pick in the NBA draft for that moon landing in 1969. “For people season — led Maccabi Tel Aviv to an to hear Tal Brody say ‘We’re on the improbable victory over the Soviet map’ was just as significant as Arm- Dani Menkin and Nancy Spielberg flank former NBA commissioner David Stern in a promo Union’s Red Army Team to win the strong’s ‘One small step….’” shot for their documentary On the Map. Photo courtesy Nancy Spielberg European Basketball Championships Spielberg admitted to the Jewish in Brussels. It was a David vs. Goli- News that she was not a big basketball ath story that became known as the fan nor did she know about Brody’s documentary about American pilots “Miracle on Hardwood” (three years contribution to Israeli culture. But who flew for Israel in 1948 — shared before Team USA beat the Russians after Menkin pitched the idea, she their vision with the audience, show- in ice hockey for the “Miracle on knew she wanted to get involved. ing clips from On the Map as a teaser Ice”). “I love the way [Menkin] handles for what they can expect from the In the post-game euphoria, Brody his topics,” she said, referring to his finished product. Similar events are joyfully shouted in halting Hebrew award-winning Dolphin Boy and 39 planned for Chicago and Illinois, that Israel was now “on the map! And Pounds of Love. “He had this nuanced among other locales. we are staying on the map — not only ‘feel good about Israel without being Aharoni praised the film for telling in sports, but in everything!” in your face’ vibe, and when he the inspiring story “of ordinary peo- To mark the 40th anniversary of started to talk about it, I said, ‘This is ple achieving extraordinary things.” that iconic game, writer/director/ incredible. I want to be a part of it.’” “I can’t remember a story in my producer Dani Menkin has teamed An intimate group of about 75 lifetime that encapsulates that tough up with executive producer Nancy people enjoyed a spread of Israeli del- Israeli spirit…like the story of Mac- Spielberg to echo Brody’s declaration icacies prior to remarks by the film’s cabi Tel Aviv of 1977,” Aharoni said. in the feature documentary On the creators as well as Brody himself and Like Menkin, he also had fond mem- Map. Ido Aharoni, consul general of Israel ories of the aftermath. “I was there The three of them appeared at a in New York. dancing with 400,000 other Israelis… March 9 fund-raiser at the Crystal Menkin and Spielberg — a pro- when Tal and his friends showed up Plaza in Livingston. ducer of Above and Beyond, a 2014 with the European Cup.” Brody — who was inducted into Tal Brody, right, with Menkin at a fund- the International Jewish Sports Hall raiser for On the Map. Photo by Ron Kaplan of Fame, U.S. National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, and Israeli Basketball Hall of Fame — explained why he ward will be applied toward post-pro- was so taken with Israel and what it duction work, distribution, and fees meant to be considered the leader of for entering film festivals. All parties the 1977 team. He shared anecdotes involved are convinced they have a about the tremendous steps the tiny winner on their hands. nation had made over the years on the “People really look up to [Brody],” international basketball scene, recall- Spielberg told NJJN. “We all take ing times when there were no indoor proud ownership when it’s one of us courts, when games were played in who gets to a certain level…and we sandstorms or had to be postponed all feel very proud as if we were fam- because of rain. ily. So I think New Jersey people feel a Brody, who is now a quasi-official familial pride, even without knowing goodwill ambassador for the sport, it. represented Maccabi Tel Aviv when it “He’s one of ours. He’s a Jersey became the first non-U.S. basketball boy,” said Spielberg, who was born in team to be honored at the Naismith Camden, just a (very) long basketball Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame pass away from Brody’s birthplace. n in 2008 for an exhibit titled “Putting For more information or to contribute, Israel on the Map.” visit jewcer.com/project/on-the-map. Tal Brody, right, celebrates with the European Basketball Championship trophy following The majority of the documentary Maccabi Tel Aviv’s win over the Red Army. Photo courtesy jewcer.com/project/on-the-map is in the can. Funds raised going for- [email protected] 18 March 17, 2016 J NJJN.