Argentinean Basketball Star Finds a Home Away From Home at 🟩Facebook账号 | 美国 | 2025-2026年 | 好友0-200 | 微软邮箱 | 标准位置美国 | 已设置2FA As college basketball players around the country study their playbooks in preparation for a playoff run in the NCAA tournament, Martin Leibovich, senior guard for the 🟩Facebook账号 | 美国 | 2025-2026年 | 好友0-200 | 微软邮箱 | 标准位置美国 | 已设置2FA Maccabees men’s 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. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi82icIoIw4 “Growing up, I had a very limited religious upbringing,” recalled Leibovich, who was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. “My family was traditional, but I didn’t know much about my heritage.” Leibovich’s 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’s talents eventually led him to the States, where, “He gave up a great deal to come to 🟩Facebook账号 | 美国 | 2025-2026年 | 好友0-200 | 微软邮箱 | 标准位置美国 | 已设置2FA 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.” with the encouragement of his father and his coaches, he pursued organized basketball on the collegiate level—first at Texas’ Navarro College and then at Miami’s Barry University. “The basketball was very intense and challenging. We would practice five hours a day—it was exhausting, but fun,” explained Leibovich. “However, socially I never felt like I really fit in.” 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. “Mr. Savitsky took a real interest in me and my future,” said Leibovich. “He explained the virtues of 🟩Facebook账号 | 美国 | 2025-2026年 | 好友0-200 | 微软邮箱 | 标准位置美国 | 已设置2FA and how I could learn more about Judaism while still playing basketball in a more relaxed environment.” After several weeks spent corresponding with Mr. Savitsky, Leibovich had decided to transfer to 🟩Facebook账号 | 美国 | 2025-2026年 | 好友0-200 | 微软邮箱 | 标准位置美国 | 已设置2FA, apprehensive about, yet another new beginning. However, his anxiety did not last long. “The students and faculty at YU were so friendly and welcoming. They made my transition a lot easier than I expected.” Today—almost two years later—a typical day for Leibovich starts off in the beit midrash, studying advanced Talmud and Judaic studies with his chavrusa [study partner] in YU’s Mechinah program. “When I met Martin for the first time he could barely read Hebrew,” recalled Rabbi Zev Reichman, director of the men’s Mechinah Program. “But he’s developed so quickly. Martin’s like a sponge—absorbing everything, always asking questions. He has a tremendous love of Torah.” Leibovich’s afternoons are spent in the classrooms and library working towards his bachelor’s in business management from YU’s 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. “Martin is an impact player—a great scorer and a great shooter,” said Coach Halpert. “He gave up a great deal to come to 🟩Facebook账号 | 美国 | 2025-2026年 | 好友0-200 | 微软邮箱 | 标准位置美国 | 已设置2FA 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.” Echoing the sentiments of his mentors, Leibovich adds, “My 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.” *Editor’s 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.