A Project Inspire Shabbos of Elevation in Lakewood

During Shacharis at a local shul, the gabbai approached a guest. Instead of the usual, “Are you a Kohen, Levi, or Yisrael?” he asked, “Excuse me, but how tall are you?” The answer may have been a first in Lakewood history: “6-foot-9.”

Yeshiva University’s basketball team, a top-performing Division III program that has captured national attention, arrived in Lakewood this past Shabbos, but they weren’t here to play ball.

These were some of the tallest guys you’d ever see in a shul, and yet what made them truly remarkable wasn’t their height or athletic ability. It was the effort they were making to be part of something bigger than the game.

That “something bigger” is the brainchild of Zevi Samet, one of the YU players who has transformed his basketball experience into a full-fledged kiruv initiative. While all of the players on the team are Jewish, many join YU solely for basketball and have had little to no prior exposure to authentic Torah Judaism. Recognizing this, Zevi quickly integrated meaningful opportunities for growth in Yiddishkeit into his teammates’ grueling daily schedule of school and basketball practice. Amazingly, his efforts paid off, and the team continues an unbroken streak of wins across many aspects of Judaism. In fact, his story was even featured on Project Inspire’s widely watched Tisha B’Av film.

Recently, Zevi felt it was time to take things to the next level. Together with Project Inspire, he arranged for his teammates to spend Shabbos in a Jewish community, allowing them to witness and participate in an authentic Shabbos experience firsthand.

The final score? Higher than anyone could have imagined.

The weekend, beautifully organized by Ari Saltz and his family, along with Chezky Klein, was a tremendous success for everyone involved. It was a beautiful meeting of Jews from different backgrounds, coming together in a real way. Over the course of Shabbos, real conversations turned into real friendships, the kind that continue past the last goodbye. Whether at the seudaos, oneg, or kiddush, a powerful sense of achdus and ahavas Yisrael was tangible to everyone in the room.

Throughout Shabbos, one playful question lingered in the air: Who was inspiring whom more? The answer was impossible to pin down as the inspiration generously flowed both ways.

Adding even more meaning to the weekend, this incredible Shabbos coincided with Parshas Vayeira, the parshah highlighting Avraham Avinu’s legendary hospitality and welcoming of guests. True to the spirit of their forefather, the Lakewood community opened their homes and hearts, providing abundant food and warmth that reflected the highest standards of hachnosas orchim.

All this effort paid off. The players were visibly moved by the dedication and care of the community members. Alex, a player from Australia, shared how much the experience impacted him personally: “I never had this in my background before, but now I want to bring this back to others.” It’s precisely this ripple effect that Zevi has been fostering all year, helping teammates carry the lessons of Torah to people who have never experienced it before.

This special Shabbos was not only transformative for the players, it was deeply inspiring for the host families and anyone who came into contact with the guests. One host shared, “Witnessing someone experience his first halachic Shabbos was more inspiring than anything else I have experienced in a long time.” The sincerity, curiosity, and enthusiasm of the players energized everyone, reminding the community of the power of Torah, Shabbos, and authentic connection.

While there weren’t any alley-oops or spectacular three-pointers, the highlights of the Shabbos included Friday night dinner at Sruly Leiberman’s home, where warmth and good food set the tone for the weekend. Another highlight was Rabbi Eliezer Herzka shlita’s inspiring address, welcoming the group and emphasizing the opportunity to see Torah in action and experience a committed community for an entire Shabbos. Shabbos concluded with a musical Havdalah on Motzei Shabbos, beautifully bookending a weekend full of connection, learning, and ruach.

Project Inspire’s indefaigable founding director, Rabbi Chaim Sampson, who worked tirelessly both before and throughout Shabbos to ensure its success, was noticeably emotional on Motzei Shabbos as he reflected on the experience. “This is what it’s all about,” he shared. “Frum Jews everywhere taking responsibility for the mitzvah of our time: inspiring our fellow Jews to come closer to Hashem.”

Of course, the players were also happy to spend time on the court, shooting around and sharing basketball tips with scores of Lakewood’s young athletes who were eager to improve their game.

This Shabbos wasn’t just about basketball or enjoying food together; it was about relationships, Jewish identity, and mutual inspiration. For these young men, it was a weekend that will leave a lasting imprint on their lives, shaping not only who they are as athletes but who they are as Jewish men. And for all those who came into contact with them over Shabbos, in this meeting of hearts, everyone walked away a winner, uplifted and inspired by their newfound friends.

This Shabbos was about more than basketball or shared meals—it was about connection, Jewish identity, and mutual inspiration. For these young men, the weekend left a lasting mark, shaping them not only as athletes but as Jewish men. Remarkably, the same can be said for everyone who encountered them as well. Everyone walked away a winner, uplifted and inspired by their newfound friends.