The Jewish Sport Report by Jacob Gurvis

A Jewish Guide to the new NHL Season

(JTA) – The 2025-2026 season kicks off on Sept. 4, with A.J. Dillon’s Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys at 8:20 p.m. on “Thursday Night Football.”

Dillon is likely to be the only Jewish player to begin the season on an NFL roster, but there are a handful of veterans who could find their way back to the gridiron this season.

Here are the Jewish players to watch this season:

• A.J. Dillon, Philadelphia Eagles running back. Dillon, 27, who missed all of last season with a neck injury, is in his first season with the Eagles after five years in Green Bay. Dillon has 18 career touchdowns, and will play alongside star Saquon Barkley in Philly’s backfield. The former Boston College standout spoke at a Jewish teen convention in 2022, where he opened up about his experience as a Jew of color.

• Jake Curhan, Arizona Cardinals (practice squad) offensive tackle. Curhan, 27, has played four seasons in the NFL, three with the Seattle Seahawks and last season with the Chicago Bears. Curhan grew up attending Camp Young Judaea in New Hampshire and went by the moniker “Bear Jew” during his collegiate career at the University of California, Berkeley. He recently signed with the Cardinals practice squad.

• Greg Joseph, kicker. Joseph, 31, a six-year NFL veteran, is currently a free agent but reportedly worked out with the Miami Dolphins this week. Joseph has played for six teams, and has been involved in Jewish communities and causes throughout his career. The South Africa native is a Jewish day school alum, has raised money for Israel’s national food bank and has worn cleats displaying Stars of David and the phrases “I Stand with Israel” and “Am Yisrael Chai.”

• Michael Dunn, offensive tackle. Dunn, 31, was just released by the San Francisco 49ers after briefly signing with them during the preseason. He’s played 53 games across five seasons, all with the Cleveland Browns.

• Anthony Firkser, tight end. Firkser, 30, has played 78 games across seven NFL seasons with five different teams, including a handful of appearances with the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs last season. The Harvard alum had a workout with Miami earlier this month but remains a free agent. Firkser had a bar mitzvah growing up in New Jersey.

Half time Report 

BIGGER THAN BASKETBALL. Israel’s national basketball team is in Poland for the 2025 EuroBasket tournament, where they beat Iceland 83-71 in their first game on Thursday. The team also visited Auschwitz and Birkenau for a tour. “This is the first time in my life that I am here, and seeing everything we saw is something I will never forget,” said coach Ariel Beit Halachmi. “Every time we go and play for the national team representing our country, we need to remember this visit and everything that happened here.”

PUCK DROP. Edmonton Oilers star Zach Hyman has been outspoken about his Jewish pride throughout his NHL career, and he recently spoke at an event in Toronto with the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, alongside journalist Elliotte Friedman. Hyman spoke about antisemitism, Oct. 7 and being the grandchild of Holocaust survivors. He also wrapped tefillin.

A JCC at the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto commemorated the opening of its new hockey arena on Aug. 21, with Zach Hyman in attendance. The Honey and Barry Memorial Arena — named in honour of a Jewish billionaire couple who were killed in 2017 — is the first and only arena in North America to be owned by a Jewish federation, according to the Canadian Jewish News. Starting next summer, the arena will host the Hyman Hockey Camp.

Jews to Watch this Weekend – All time in ET

 IN BASEBALL…

Dean Kremer starts for the Baltimore Orioles tonight at 10:15 p.m. against the San Francisco Giants. Alex Bregman and the Boston Red Sox host Spencer Horwitz and the Pittsburgh Pirates this weekend, while Zack Gelof and the Athletics host Rowdy Tellez, Joc Pederson and the Texas Rangers. Gelof, who was recalled from Triple-A this week, hit his first homer of the season on Wednesday.

 

 IN BASKETBALL…

Israel plays Poland Saturday at 2:30 p.m in the EuroBasket group phase. You can track the game here.

 

 IN SOCCER…

In the MLS, Matt Turner, Ilay Feingold and Dor Turgeman and the New England Revolution host Liel Abada and Charlotte F.C. Saturday at 7:30 p.m. At the same time, DeAndre Yedlin and F.C. Cincinnati host Tai Baribo and the Philadelphia Union. Daniel Edelman (New York Red Bulls) is also in action Saturday at 7:30 p.m., while Jake Girdwood-Reich (St. Louis City S.C.) plays at 8:30 p.m. In the Premier League, Manor Solomon and Tottenham host Bournemouth Saturday at 10:00 am.

 IN RACING…

Formula One returns from a three-week break with the Dutch Grand Prix Sunday at 9 a.m. Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll is currently in 12th place in the driver standings with 26 points on the season.