Yankees Baseball Legend Mariano Rivera Visits Israeli Army Base To Show Solidarity

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Former legendary New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera visited an Israel Defense Forces base in northern Israel on Tuesday to lend solidarity with Israeli soldiers.

Rivera, who played 19 seasons with the Yankees and was widely regarded as one of the best closers in baseball history, was in Israel as part of a spiritual interfaith mission led by the New York Board of Rabbis.

As part of this mission, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) arranged a base visit, where Rivera and mission participants learned about the FIDF programs carried out at the IDF Alon Educational and Instructional Center (Michve Alon base), where support is given to soldiers from at-risk populations to help them adapt to their army service, and become successful and contributing citizens in Israel.

Among the FIDF courses for the about 6,000 soldiers stationed at Michve Alon are those that help new immigrants and soldiers from minority groups learn Hebrew.

“I’m privileged and honored to be here, and learn about the young men and women who are here in the IDF, being trained to be a better person, a better citizen and a better human being,” Rivera said while meeting with soldiers. “For me, it was something special that I will take with me through my life.”

Mariano Rivera and the interfaith group visiting Israel gather at the Michve Alon IDF base in front of the Fitness Center donated by the FIDF Long Island Chapter, July 31, 2018. Credit: FIDF.

“We were thrilled to host Mr. Mariano Rivera at Michve Alon to witness FIDF’s important programs in action,” said FIDF National director and CEO, Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir.

“Considering Rivera’s own remarkable philanthropic endeavors, including his foundation’s work helping impoverished communities and providing education assistance, we believe that he’d recognize and appreciate how valuable FIDF’s programs are for IDF soldiers of all backgrounds.” (JNS)

{Matzav.com Israel}


7 COMMENTS

  1. What did Mariano Rivera say when he saw the Sinai Desert?
    Look at all the sand, man.

    What does Rivera have in common with a mohel?
    They’re both known for their cutters.

    Which Israelis are better pitchers than Rivera?
    Histadrut members – they throw more strikes.

    • I was going to share this story on another site, but then I saw your incredibly childish, feeble attempt at humor and decided against it. Why did you have to go and ruin a perfectly good story with comments that are more suited to a third grader than an adult?

  2. With all due respect, Mariano was so overrated. He was clearly not the best closer. He was at best, an above average relieve pitcher. That’s it. Nothing more.

  3. But the IDF would never allow anyone from the Arachim organization to visit and speak for fear they’ll bring them back to yiddishkeit.

  4. As a result of Mr. Rivera’s intervention, I am pleased to report that next year the Yankees will be offering several sections in Yankee Stadium with separate seating for. men and women.

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