Retired professional basketball player Tamir Goodman hasn’t taken a break since hanging up his professional basketball uniform. We spoke with the “Jewish Jordan” during his recent visit to Baltimore about his upbringing here, making a kiddush Hashem, and how he has been helping kids affected by the Gaza war both on and off the court. Tamir is also raising a family, running a tech startup, and using his public persona to publicize the name of Hashem each day.

 Chaim Yehuda Meyer: You’ve said that in order to reach the highest level of anything you really have to love it. Did your Talmudical Academy education help engender your love of Torah and mitzvos?

 Tamir Goodman: My yeshiva education at TA was very helpful in that I had great rabbis and educators, especially Coach Harold Katz, who has coached me since the age of seven. Today, 35 years later, I still consider him a mentor, friend, and coach. Coach Katz has had a tremendously positive impact on my life as well as that of other athletes who have played under him. I am still close with some of these players today.