"Playing basketball these days is like bringing light in a time of darkness," says Hapoel Afula's player Spencer Weiss, in another episode of the series covering civilians during war.
"The feeling of the people is difficult and bringing some kind of normality is important", he says, "we must not let anyone control our lives".
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Weiss continues: "Seeing people happy, or even angry in these times is important. For fans it gives a lot to be part of an event, part of the community. It helps a lot to disconnect for two hours from the whole situation. It's definitely a blessing to play basketball these days, it allows people a kind of escape ".
How does the situation affect the league?
"This creates a situation where more Israeli players make their breakthrough.
They show they can compete.
This is their big opportunity."
Spencer Weiss is already a veteran in our league.
This is his seventh season here.
The 28-year-old shooter, a graduate of Princeton College, had his first encounter with Israeli basketball at the age of 20 when he played with the reserve team.
Then, when he started playing professionally, he landed in Hapoel Gilboa/Galil, from there already to Maccabi Ashdod, Hapoel Beer Sheva, Hapoel Haifa and this season he is in the uniform of the newcomer Hapoel Afula.
where were you on october 7
"In a hotel in Tel Aviv with my parents who came to visit from the United States.
We played the day before in Ness Ziona at the start of the league and I had a day off.
We heard the alarms in the morning, my mother, who had already been here many times, knew the situation, but later we realized that it was much more than that.
They were supposed to fly that evening and we were worried that flights would be cancelled.
In the end I took them to the airport and they took off."
Weiss in a league game.
"I am very connected to the country", Photo: Udi Tsitiat
And didn't they tell you that it might be better for you to leave with them?
"They knew it was important for me to stay here and help in any way possible.
My parents want me to be safe and protected, but they understand me first.
They understand how important it is that I be here.
It was important for me to stay because I am a proud Jew and in difficult times like this you feel it even more strongly.
I have been here for 7 years.
This is my home, this is my family.
I didn't want to leave just at this time.
Beyond that, it was important for me to help and contribute.'
What did you help with?
"It's important to put a smile on the children's faces on days like this. We went to several places in Israel and did basketball training. We saw how much it does them good and helps them on difficult days."
Over the years there have been quite a few criticisms towards me from citizens.
We argued against them that it was basketball for them and nothing more.
'I can speak for myself.
I am very, very connected to the country.
For me it is much more than basketball.
It is a deep connection to the country.
My grandparents are Holocaust survivors.
I've been here since I graduated college.
Every time I land at Ben Gurion Airport I feel like I'm coming home."
What has influenced you the most these days?
"The State of Israel was divided and divided politically before the war. The ability of the people of Israel to come back and live together is very impressive. Everyone unites and this is a great pride. The heart hurts very much. I think there is no one in the country who does not know someone who was hurt or related to the war. This is a very small country, everyone knows everyone. These days we need to be strong and even more proud of the country. It's important that we tell everyone NEVER AGAIN."
Weiss.
He didn't think of leaving Israel in difficult times, photo: Maor Alxalsi
Do you feel like an ambassador?
"It's strange to say. More than an ambassador, I feel like an explainer. It's important to me to convey the truth about everything that's happening here. The news you see there is often a spin of reality. Sometimes I think how people there can be blind to what's happening here, to what Israel really is. I don't know why it is,
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"It is likely that the reason they make us the bad wolf is political. People see or hear a line in the news and draw conclusions. They don't understand the story. If the people in the United States came here they would realize how wrong they are. They would see what a wonderful and open country Israel is ".
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