The Journey Of Daniel Federman Finding His Connection With His Jewish Faith

Israel's team manager Peter Kurz (front L) reacts to their defeat after bottom of seventh inning during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games baseball round 2 game between Israel and South Korea at Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, on August 2, 2021. Federman is on the Israeli baseball team. YUICHI MASUDA/JNS

For 24-year-old, Minor League pitcher Daniel Federman, the trip via Uber and airplane from the Baltimore Orioles’ spring training camp in Sarasota, Fla., to Team Israel’s facility in Jupiter three hours east across the state provided much more than just a chance to play baseball in another Florida city. It affords him the opportunity to reconnect with his Jewish roots and with fond memories of his paternal Jewish grandparents. 

Daniel Federman #99 of Team Israel poses for a photo during the Team Israel 2023 World Baseball Classic Headshots at Roger Dean Stadium on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, in Jupiter, Florida. Federman’s Jewish connection had died out after the passing of his grandparents. ROB TRINGALI/JNS