IsraelCast Episode 223

In this uplifting episode of IsraelCast, host Steven Shalowitz sits down with professional basketball player Jared Armstrong, whose inspiring journey has taken him from Philadelphia to the southern Israeli city of Eilat. Jared shares how his love for basketball and deep sense of purpose led him to Israel, where he plays professionally and runs JAB Camp—an initiative that brings together youth from diverse backgrounds through basketball, education, and dialogue. As a Black Jewish athlete, Jared reflects on his unique identity, his advocacy work following October 7, and his efforts to bridge communities both in Israel and the U.S. through sport. Hear how he's using the game he loves to teach life skills, build connections, and inspire the next generation to pursue their dreams with purpose and resilience.

Jared Armstrong is an American-Israeli professional basketball player, who currently plays for Israel’s Hapoel Eilat. In 2021, Jared launched a successful public advocacy effort to persuade the Israeli Ministry of Interior to recognize his right to make aliya and claim Israeli citizenship.

In 2023, Armstrong started JAB Camp, a Philadelphia-based basketball camp that brings together black and Jewish youth and aims to teach hard work, pluralism, and unity through diversity. His work combatting racism and antisemitism has been covered in ABC, CBS, Jerusalem Post, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the Times of Israel, and elsewhere.