Father's Day June 12, 2017

y p p a H s ’ r e h t a F y a D

Supplement to Jewish News June 12, 2017 jewishnewsva.org | June 12, 2017 | Jewish News | 11

Father’s Day

Billy Crystal on being Jewish, playing ball and his family Cindy Sher

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(JUF News via JTA)—The inimitable Billy Crystal was back on the road a few months ago. The six-time Emmy Award-winning comedian, actor, producer, director and writer—most recently of a book of essays, Still Foolin’ ’Em: Where I’ve Been, Where I’m Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys— toured the U.S. with his new show, Spend the Night with Billy Crystal.

The show felt like an intimate chat with the audience—a blend of standup with a “sit-down” interview with Crystal.

Crystal, who lives in Los Angeles, told stories, talked about the world as he sees it, reflected on his life, and showed some film clips from his long career.

Of course, the popular nine-time Oscar host has numerous iconic films and roles to choose from: The title character in the quintessential rom-com When Harry Met Sally; the grouchy “miracle worker” in The Princess Bride; Mitch, a New Yorker heading toward a midlife crisis who goes on a cattle drive with his buddies in City Slickers; and in Analyze This, a shrink to Robert De Niro’s mob boss.

But before he was charming millions, Crystal, 68, was entertaining his family and friends while growing up in the quaint beach town of Long Beach, New York. Then a predominately Jewish and Italian town, Crystal describes it as the “perfect place to grow up.” He often references his beloved hometown in his act, and in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy’s battering of New York in 2012, Crystal and his wife of nearly 47 years, Janice, helped raise more than $1 million to help Long Beach rebuild and rebound.

Crystal’s early childhood, back in the 1950s, was filled with music and laughter. His mother, Helen, was a talented tap dancer and singer. His father, Jack, worked six days a week at two jobs—as a jazz promoter and manager of the family’s popular New York City record store.

Jazz greats like Billie Holiday—who were friends of his parents—would frequent their home.

Crystal and his dad would spend most Sundays together watching baseball games. Their relationship was chronicled in Crystal’s Tony Award-winning oneman show 700 Sundays (also adapted into a book and HBO special), named for the number of Sundays he spent with his father before his dad died of a heart attack when Crystal was only 15.

The only thing Crystal ever aspired to do as much as comedy was play baseball for his beloved New York Yankees—in fact, he says the highlight of his long career came in 2008, when he signed a one-day contract with the team in honor of his 60th birthday.

In a phone interview with JTA, Crystal looks back on his family, his Jewish identity, his long career and the “one thing” that keeps him going.

JTA: You seem to be a celebrity who wears your Judaism as a badge of honor, and not in a self-hating sort of way.

Would you agree?

Billy Crystal: I do. I mean, I still make fun, but it’s not about Jews—it’s about my Jews, it’s about my relatives. It’s not generalizations.

What are some of your favorite parts about being Jewish?

You mean, besides the circumcision?

You remember that, huh?

Yeah, oh yeah, that’s why I’m an insomniac.

What else do you love about being Jewish?

The storytelling, the warmth, the sense of humor. My dad was strict about the holidays. We honored them, we went to temple. I like the ritual, and the caring for our planet that’s written into so many of the works I read in Hebrew school.

How do you compare when you were just starting out in showbiz 40-plus years ago to touring with your new show?

It all feels the same. I don’t think I’ve stopped working since the eighth grade.

Father’s Day Backstage, when I was on Broadway, felt the same as it did backstage when I was getting ready to do a school play in high school. It’s that same energy of confidence, a little bit of nerves.… The moment you go out, you release and say, ‘OK, I’m ready, here I come.’ It’s kind of an intoxicating feeling to go out and entertain people.

What did your father teach you during those 700 Sundays, before he passed away?

Besides teaching me a love for comedy, a love for reading, a love for baseball, he also taught me about doing the right thing. My dad was a civil rights giant in his own quiet way, in that he was one of the first promoters to integrate jazz bands.

So the house, yes, was filled with Jewish relatives with stories, but sitting next to them was Zutty Singleton, who was a great jazz drummer, or Tyree Glenn, who was Louie Armstrong’s trombone player, or any of these other great musicians.

They were all just friends. My family label—Commodore Records—produced Strange Fruit, which is Billie Holliday’s epic song about lynching. It took a Jewish family to produce that record, to write that song.

How did your father’s premature death shape your life and your relationship with your mother?

I was 15 and was dealt a bad hand. You can’t help but be angry, and I was angry and had to learn to live with that, and to deal with my mother, who was suddenly widowed and forced back into the workforce. [Being] back home alone with her, while my brothers were away at college, made me grow up really fast. I admired her strength—at the age of 50 she was suddenly back in the workforce. Three sons in school and we all graduated college because of her. You watch that and learn what parenting is really about, and

what being a son is really about. My mom sent me on a path of trying to do the right thing in my life and also valuing every moment that you live.

What’s your secret to your happy, healthy, and long marriage?

We still feel that we’re dating. After all these years, and all the things that we’ve been through, and all the joys and sadness that we’ve shared together—right from the beginning: You’re 18 and you have to tell the in-laws [that] you’re going to be a comedian.

But Janice’s faith in me, her trust in me, her strength when things aren’t going well. Our key is we keep laughing, we keep talking, and we keep loving.

I’m going to remind you about a scene from your own movie, City Slickers.

Curly, a cowboy, asks your character, Mitch, if you know the secret to life. Then,

Curly holds up one finger and says “One thing.” What is that one thing, or maybe a couple of things, that give you purpose?

The purpose is Janice and the kids, and continually doing right by them and right by myself. That’s the most important thing … and in my job, I have a purpose.

I have a mind that still loves to create and I follow that deeply.

—Cindy Sher is executive editor of Chicago’s JUF News.

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Father’s Day

Ten Jewish grandparent names that are due for a comeback Joanna C. Valente

(Kveller via JTA)—Kveller often writes about trending Jewish baby names—but what about more retro names that are due to come back in style?

Parents-to-be may not want to go with what’s popular right now and instead choose something ahead of the curve—by which we mean way behind.

So we rounded up some of our favorite male names from the past—names that probably sound familiar, as you probably have uncles and grandparents with them.

Here’s a quick list: Hyman. Hyman, a version of Chaim, is a male name in Hebrew that means “life.”

➊

➋ Meir. Meir is a Hebrew male name meaning “one who illuminates.”

Famous Jews: Meir Shalev, Meir Ariel

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➏ Harold. Harold, another non-Jewish name used by Jewish people, is

Myron. While Myron is actually Greek, many first generation American Jewish men were given the name. It means “fragrant, an aromatic shrub, myrrh.”

Famous Jews: Myron Waldman, Myron Cohen

➍ Morton/Morty. Similar to Myron in that it’s not a Hebrew or Yiddish name, but in English, it was commonly used for Jewish immigrants. It means “town near the moor.”

Famous Jew: Morty Seinfeld (Jerry Seinfeld’s TV father on Seinfeld played by Barney Martin)

➎ Irving. Irving, another name used

by Jewish immigrants and first generations, is Scottish and means “green river, sea friend.” Feel free to use Irv for short.

Famous Jews: Irving Wallace, Irving Stone, Irving Berlin

Scandinavian and means “army ruler.”

Hal or Harry are fun nicknames.

Famous Jews: Harold Ramis, Harold Norse

➐

Melvin. Melvin, a non-Jewish

name also commonly used by Jews, is English and means “council protector.”

Mel, anyone?

Famous

Jews:

Melvin

Melvin Rosen, Melvin Calvin, Mel Brooks

➑

Seymour. Seymour, a non-Jew-

ish name also commonly used by Jews, is English and means “marshy land near the sea.”

Famous

Jews:

Seymour

Siegel,

Seymour Melman, Seymour Martin Lipset

➒

Shirley. Shirley, a non-Jewish

name typically for girls also commonly used by Jews, is English meaning “bright meadow.”

Famous Jews: Shirley Povich (the rare man with the name)

➓ Sheldon. Sheldon, a non-Jewish name also commonly used by Jews, is English meaning “steep-sided valley.” Shel for short is super cute.

Famous Jews: Shel Silverstein, Sheldon Leonard —Joanna C. Valente is the staff writer at Kveller. Joanna is the author of Sirs & Madams, The Gods Are Dead, Xenos,

and Marys of the Sea. She received a master’s degree in fine arts from Sarah Lawrence College. You can follow @joannasaid on Twitter, @joannacvalente on Instagram, or email at joanna@kveller.com.

14 | Jewish News | Father’s Day | June 12, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

Schwartz,

Father’s Day

First Person

Always a dad

Lisa Bertini

“Holler if you need me, kid.”

I have heard that phrase ever since I was a skinny runt growing up at the Jersey Shore. My dad, no little guy, was the kind of dad that didn’t make small talk with the other parents. He would kind of squint, nod his head, and walk away. He was intimidating, but with my friends, he was revered. I guess it’s cool for other kids when your dad doesn’t really care what people think.

But I always cared what he thought of me.

I was kind of like my dad in some ways. I had friends for sure, but at the end of the day, I did my own thing. We really got each other.

A child of the depression, my dad grew up in very humble surroundings. He lost his father when he was 10 years old, and his mom, an Italian immigrant—who spoke no English—was forced to work full time in a clothing factory. My dad was raised by my Aunt Edna, who sacrificed her teenage years to work full time. His stories of the depression are wild. If I were to believe them all, I’d have a father who

was at once a rascal and a punk. But I know from photos and family lore that while it was true that he was in trouble a lot, running free, and jumping trains, he was also working after school by the age of 12 at Matlacks pharmacy. He enlisted in the Navy at 18 to see the world in active duty during the Korean War. When Dad returned home and met my mom—a refugee from Italy who was quite the beauty and worked at the cinema—he was so smitten that he had no choice but to marry her. So, they started having kids at 21 and the young butcher became a dad of three daughters. God must have a sense of humor.

Who knew?

My father retired as a butcher. He is one of the best read men I know who never got a college degree. But his three daughters did. His wife became the vice president of a bank and earned her college degree at night while a young mom. The eldest daughter became a teacher with three master’s degrees. I went to law school largely due to my dad force feeding me repeated reads of To Kill A Mockingbird and any novel about Clarence Darrow.

My little sister is a nurse at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, where she treats oncology patients. Ironically, or due to his orneriness, we all kept our maiden names and rarely eat meat. He has one grandson and five granddaughters.

Not one is a walk in the park. Three are vegetarians.

Still Dad When I entered the hospital room, my dad didn’t look small on the bed like most

sick, elderly folks. He looked beached. He is no little guy. His hands resembled mitts and his head was cocked. He had some tubes in him and looked awkward relaxing by force. I knew the stroke had slurred his speech so I talked and he listened. I told him about Zoe’s graduation and my work. I filled him in on my mom’s care and then bluntly, but kindly informed

him of the bleak news from the doctor. He didn’t look scared. He didn’t look phased.

He looked cool. He smiled his devilish grin and nodded his head.

Before I kissed him goodbye, I could drink in his slurpy, sloppy words as he parted with, “Holler if you need me, kid.”

I hollered all the way home.

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16 | Jewish News | Father’s Day | June 12, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

Father’s Day

Looking for a gift for dad or a relaxing way to spend Father’s Day? Virginia MOCA’s 62nd Annual Boardwalk Art Show might be the ticket Thursday, June 15–Sunday, June 18

T

he Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) will host the 62nd annual Boardwalk Art Show, along the Virginia Beach oceanfront from 20th to 35th Streets.

MOCA’s Boardwalk Art Show (BWAS) is Virginia Beach’s longest running annual oceanfront event and one of the oldest outdoor fine art shows on the eastern seaboard, consistently ranked in Sunshine Artists Magazine’s Top 40 fine art shows.

An eclectic range of fine arts and crafts from 275 artists, in addition to an

assortment of gourmet food and concessions, free concerts, and family art-making along the boardwalk all combine to make the event an attractive way to spend the weekend. Plus, an exclusive beach club and craft beer garden for those who want to take a different kind of break will be available.

MOC A’s BWAS began when a group of local artists organized to raise money for another artist in 1956. This ambitious group later assembled an arts organization that evolved into what MOCA is today,

a non-profit institution, which exists to foster awareness, exploration, and understanding of contemporary significant art.

The museum’s staff, and nearly 300 dedicated volunteers, produce this fourday festival, a Father’s Day weekend tradition, that serves as the museum’s largest fundraiser, raising more than $300,000 in 2016. Approximately 250,000 visitors are expected to attend this year.

“MOCA’s commitment to sparking dialogue through rotating exhibitions and educational programs goes in concert with the cultivation of artist’s careers,” says MOCA’s art show director, Jennifer Golden. “Artists at the show will have their work viewed by thousands of visitors, including jurors who are seasoned art professionals.”

IT’S A CELEBRATION

24th Street Park will house MOCA’s Craft Beer Garden spearheaded by Generation MOCA (a committee of young professionals whose mission is to advocate for the arts) along with free concerts Friday and Saturday, and MOCA’s popular Free Family Fest, Saturday, June 17.

The jewel of the show is the Boardwalk Beach Club, an 80-foot-tented space along the boardwalk (near 31st Street Park) offering complimentary valet parking at The Hilton, beverages, lunch, and afternoon snacks provided by Steinhilber’s, comfortable seating, private bathrooms, a place to store purchases, and ocean views. Boardwalk Beach Club tickets may be purchased online at www.

BoardwalkArtShow.com or in person at the Beach Club during the show for $99 per person/per day.

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Father’s Day

A Father’s Day special: Women take the grill Samantha Ferraro

(The Nosher via JTA)—“Ladies can grill too!” is what I thought while watching the men tend to the grill at one of my favorite Middle Eastern eateries recently. But after years of owning a charcoal grill and by default having the husband maintain it, I figured it was about time this lady learned to worked some magic over the coals.

So we took an afternoon last weekend for my husband to educate me on charcoal grilling, and as suspected (ahem…) I’m a natural.

The technique is all about maintaining that close pile of coals, yet having enough room so oxygen can circulate and produce fire. It may sound a bit scary, but I really had a blast. I so carefully placed the starter snugly in between coals and waited in anticipation until the coals got about 90 percent gray and chalky. At this point I knew my heat level was perfect and grilled kofta and vegetables were the perfect introduction to my new cooking challenge.

The kofta grilled perfectly and maintained it’s crimped shape, and the eggplant and tomatoes charred and softened beautifully. After everything was cooked, I placed the meat on top of pita bread in proper Turkish fashion, so that all the meat juices soaked into the bread. The flavor of freshly charred eggplant from robust coals and smoke is like no other.

L’chaim to summer grilling! And, to anyone looking for a new cooking challenge – go ahead and get those hands dirty grilling some delicious meat. The men shouldn’t get to have all the fun.

Grilled Kofta with Eggplant and Tomatoes Ingredients For the kofta and veggies

that are soaked), take ¼ of the mixture and

Using metal skewers (or wood ones

³⁄4 lb ground beef

form into an oval shape. Place meat on the

¼ lb ground lamb

skewer and use your hands to firmly press

2–3 Tbsp grated onion (about ½ an

the kofta onto the skewer into a long, oval

onion), excess liquid removed

and flat shape. You can also your use fin-

Small bunch of fresh mint and parsley,

gers to form crimps for texture and looks.

chopped finely

Lightly oil the grill (or indoor grill pan, if

¼ tsp Turkish red pepper

using) and on medium-high heat, grill the

(or any red pepper for spice)

kofta until the first side is lightly charred

1 tsp turmeric

(about 4–5 minutes), then turn over and

½ tsp cumin

continue cooking the other side.

1 tsp sumac

As meat cooks, lightly oil vegetables

1 Tbsp tomato paste

and place on grill until they are charred and

Salt, to taste (right before grilling)

softened.

When done, place koftas on pita bread

2 small eggplants, cut in half Whole tomatoes Pita bread

so meat juices can soak into the bread.

To serve, drizzle tahini sauce over kofta and vegetables and serve with pita bread and lemon wedges.

For the tahini sauce: ½ cup tahini paste ¼ cup water (may not use all of it) 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped 1 lemon, juiced and zest 1 Tbsp olive oil Pinch of cayenne Salt and pepper, to taste

To make tahini sauce: Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend well.

The texture should resemble honey and not be too thick.

Add more or less water for desired consistency.

Taste

for

seasoning.

Directions In a bowl, combine

tainer in the fridge for several

ground meats and all

weeks.

the spices and herbs

Store extra in an airtight con-

(Yield: 4 servings)

except for the salt.

Use a light touch to mix everything well, so spices are evenly incorporated. Place plastic wrap over the bowl and allow to sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

When ready, season meat mixture with salt and mix again. I chose to salt at the last minute, so it doesn’t draw the moisture out as the mixture marinates.

18 | Jewish News | Father’s Day | June 12, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

—Samantha Ferraro is the food blogger and photographer for The Little Ferraro Kitchen.)

The Nosher food blog offers a dazzling array of new and classic Jewish recipes and food news, from Europe to Yemen, from challah to shakshuka and beyond. Check it out at www.TheNosher.com.

Father’s Day

15 Father’s Day Gifts For the Jewish Foodie in Your Life Shannon Sarna

(The Nosher via JTA)—You got through Mother’s Day, Memorial Day weekend and even Shavuot. But folks, it’s not quite time to relax: Father’s Day is almost here. Another weekend to reserve for family celebrations and another round of gifts to procure. If the special dad or guy in your life loves to be in the kitchen, at the grill or engrossed in a good cookbook, then we’ve got a couple of great gift ideas to show him how much he is adored.

For the meat lover Meat Claws. These meat claws are the perfect accessory for the cook who likes to shred brisket for sandwiches or for pulling large hunks of meat off the grill more easily.

Infrared Laser Thermometer.

It might not be a shark with a laser beam attached, but this infrared laser thermometer will accurately measure the inside of your meat without wires, spikes or opening the oven. This is the ultimate gadget for someone who loves their meat perfectly cooked every time.

For the cookbook fiend The Brisket Book.

This book has 30 brisket recipes perfect for your very own brisket lover and includes

stories, history, and tips for perfecting the beloved Jewish dish.

The Book of Schmaltz. Ruhlman’s acclaimed book will teach you to render your own schmaltz and use it in countless old-school Jewish recipes and a few newer ones as well. A must addition for any Jewish cookbook lover’s collection.

Genius Recipes. This collection of recipes from the food website Food52 shares an arsenal of tried-and-true recipes from great chefs and provides extensive technique and how-to sure to improve any home cook’s repertoire.

For the griller Two-in-one Vertical Chicken Roaster.

Crispy skin on the outside, moist chicken in the middle, delicious veggies, and potatoes on the bottom – this vertical chicken roaster does it all.

For the trendy guy Ipad Stand and Stylus for the Kitchen. If your guy loves keeping his iPad nearby while cooking, this stand and stylus will help him read recipes and keep the screen clean from his grubby, grease-covered fingers.

Molecular Gastronomy Set. This gift is for the most adventurous of home cooks! Your guy can experiment making mint caviar, chocolate spaghetti, or horseradish foam.

DIY Pickling Set. Pickling your own veggies and fruit is all the rage, and the trendy dad in your life will love keeping up with the hipsters. Get ready to hit up the farmer’s market for potential pickling projects.

For the alcohol lover Coast Coasters. These coast coasters are simple but funny—perfect for the stylish dad who likes to keep a cocktail close by without fear of watermarks on the furniture.

Beerisms Pint Glasses. These beer glasses will delight the dad who just wants to happily enjoy his beer. Save water, drink beer!

Sunscreen Flasks. Dad can smuggle booze almost anywhere with these silly sunscreen flasks—dance recitals, vacation with the in-laws, or just hanging by the pool.

—Shannon Sarna is editor of The Nosher.

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jewishnewsva.org | June 12, 2017 | Father’s Day | Jewish News | 19

Father’s Day

How Hank Greenberg took on Hitler in the summer of 1938

HE'S WORTH IT.

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20 | Jewish News | Father’s Day | June 12, 2017 | jewishnewsva.org

WHIPPANY, N.J. (New Jersey Jewish News via JTA)—With a lifetime of loving and writing about sports, Ron Kaplan has many topics he can sink his teeth into. Add to that passion his time working for the American Jewish Congress and then for nearly a decade for the New Jersey Jewish News, and you can see why his publisher saw him as the perfect guy to tackle the subject of his new book.

Hank Greenberg in 1938: Hatred and Home Runs in the Shadow of War (Sports Publishing, 2017) is about the Jewish Hall of Famer as he was trying to make baseball history at the same time that prejudice against Jews was reaching a murderous boiling point in Europe.

But Kaplan faced a challenge: There were already at least 10 books about the Detroit Tigers slugger, as well as Aviva Kemper’s award-winning documentary, The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg. None, however, had brought together the unique combination of factors that made 1938 a turning point in baseball and world history.

Kaplan spoke to those who knew Greenberg, including the celebrated sportswriter Ira Berkow, who had worked with the player on his memoir. Folks at the Baseball Hall of Fame helped with research, and Kaplan mined newspapers from the period.

They opened a window into a time when new cars sold for $600 and refrigerators for $200, a star like Greenberg earned $30,000, and awareness of the conflict brewing in Europe mushroomed. In the course of 1938, Kaplan

said, reports on the growing Nazi threat went from small paragraphs to frontpage stories with huge headlines, while the United States remained reluctant to accept Jewish refugees trying to flee Nazi oppression.

As Kaplan—an award-winning journalist and blogger—wrote, “Hammerin’ Hank” was coming off a stellar season with the Tigers, during which he hit 40 homers and drove in 184 runs. But as he was “on course for Babe Ruth’s home run record, Hitler’s ‘Final Solution’ was beginning to take shape.” Jews across the United States, worried about looming threats overseas, “looked to Greenberg as a symbol of hope,” Kaplan wrote.

“Though normally hesitant to speak about the anti-Semitism he dealt with, the slugger still knew the role he was playing for so many of his people, saying, ‘I came to feel that if I, as a Jew, hit a home run, I was hitting one against Hitler.’”

In the present climate, Kaplan says, with arguments roiling about Syrian refugees, the debate over President Donald Trump’s use of the “America First” slogan popularized by the isolationist and anti-Semitic Charles Lindbergh, and reports of increasing anti-Semitism, “unfortunately, some of the issues from 1938 are still with us.”

Delving deep into Greenberg’s life, talking to those who knew him and reading everything available, Kaplan affirms his highest expectation.

“He was always a mensch,” the author says.

That quality was called into play in ’38 as the tall, powerfully built

Father’s Day Greenberg—one of the few Jews in the game, playing in one of the most anti-Semitic cities in the country—tried to break Ruth’s home run record. While crowds loved him and much of the country cheered him on, some didn’t want to see a Jew claim the crown from the mighty Babe. Kaplan says the belief was that some pitchers deliberately walked Greenberg to prevent his reaching the goal.

Greenberg would finish with 58 homers, three shy of Ruth’s record.

“But Greenberg refused to ever use anti-Semitism as an excuse,” says Kaplan, who noted the first baseman had a slow start and a rainy spring forced the Tigers to play a series of fatiguing late-season doubleheaders.

However, Greenberg, who died in 1986, was always mindful of prejudice.

His last year as a player coincided with Jackie Robinson’s first, and he made his support and respect clear to the first black player in the major leagues— something Robinson mentioned repeatedly to his own biographers.

Greenberg’s success on the field did not divert his attention from what was happening in the wider world.

In a brief overview of what came after 1938, Kaplan describes how Greenberg was one of the first baseball pros to enlist in the Army, in 1941. In his prime playing years, he put the game aside and entered the military. After an honorable discharge, he re-enlisted in the Army Air Forces, serving until the end of the war.

“He was a celebrity but he didn’t just do morale-boosting tours with no active duty,” Kaplan says. “He was actively involved, on bombers in the Chinese theater and the Burma theater.”

Only toward the end of the war did Greenberg take a less active role, serving in a more administrative capacity.

And then, with characteristic aplomb, he went right back to playing for the Tigers,

leading the team to the 1945 World Series championship.

In writing this book, Kaplan drew on a lifetime of sports fandom. His first book was 501 Baseball Books Fans Must Read Before They Die. His second, The Jewish Olympics: The History of the Maccabiah Games, published in 2015, broke ground on a subject that had received almost no mainstream coverage. In addition to his own popular and meticulous blogs—Ron Kaplan’s Baseball Bookshelf and Kaplan’s Korner on Jews and Sports—he helped launch JTA’s Jewish Sports Facebook page.

Kaplan lives in Montclair with his wife, Faith Krausman, a veterinarian as well as an author, and their daughter, Rachel, a photographer. They are members of Bnai Keshet, a Reconstructionist synagogue in Montclair, New Jersey.

Next up, if Kaplan stays with his current game plan, is a work about players who were, well, “next up.” Provisionally titled On Deck to History, it will feature anecdotes and interviews with players waiting their turn at bat during some of the greatest moments in the sport.

Kaplan cites an example, also about another record held by “The Bambino”: Dusty Baker, the longtime player and manager, was on deck when another Hammerin’ Hank—Atlanta Braves legend Hank Aaron—hit the home run that broke Ruth’s lifetime record of 714.

It is just such a moment that a sports fan and storyteller can’t resist.

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