Joe received the Lifetime Achievement Award for significant contributions to the State of Israel and society through sports.
In 2018, the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame presented Joe Siegman with The Lifetime Achievement Award, which is presented annually, honoring those individuals who have made significant contributions to the State of Israel and society through sports.
Organizer, author, athlete Joe Siegman is recognized for his decades of leadership and participation in Jewish-related and conventional sport activities. Siegman founded the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1979, which he organized originally as a fund-raising vehicle for the U.S. Maccabiah team.
Subsequently, in collaboration with then Maccabiah Games vice-president Alan Sherman, the concept took on a life of its own in 1981, when the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Museum was dedicated at the Wingate Institute in Netanya, Israel.
The Chicago-born television producer-writer authored The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, published in 1992. He has since published a series of four volumes titled Jewish Sports Legends, featuring Jewish sport history, biographies and photos of iconic Jewish sportsmen and sportswomen who have been elected to the IJSHOF.
Siegman was a member of five U.S. Maccabiah teams between 1973 and 1989: the 1973 Cricket team, and 1977 thru 1989 quadrennial Lawn Bowls teams. In succeeding years, in served as team chairman. He organized a series of fund-raising events in the Los Angeles area to aid the participation of U.S. Maccabiah athletes and sports teams. These events featured performances by comedians Jerry Seinfeld, Billy Crystal, Bill Maher, Shelley Berman, Milton Berle, Dick Shawn, and many others.
A pair of Joes – DiMaggio and Siegman
1977 thru 1985, Siegman was Western Regional Vice-President of United States Committee Sports For Israel, sponsors/organizers of U.S. Maccabiah Teams. In 1982, he wrote and produced the documentary, Two Weeks To Experience – A Lifetime To Remember, the USCSFI’s first promotional film.
In 1969, Siegman, representing the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation, served as publicity director of the second Special Olympics Games.
As a television producer, his resume of “reality” shows includes the popular Celebrity Bowling series, which aired seven first-run seasons, and Celebrity Tennis, three first-run seasons on American television. Both series aired originally during the 1970s.
With Mark Spitz
What is the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, how did you happen to found it, and how did it come to have “International” added to it?
I chaired and underwrote an event – Jewish Sports Hall of Fame – in May 1979 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel to call attention to and raise funds in support of the Maccabiah Games in Israel (so-called Jewish Olympics). It was called An Evening of Jewish Pride and honored 18 of the USA’s greatest Jewish sports figures. Ten of the 18 were on the dais that evening, along with family reps of four deceased honorees. Underlying level of achievement for the selection of the 18 was: “not the best Jewish athletes, but the best athletes who were also Jewish.” Theme was: “The Deeds of the Past Shall Inspire the Achievements of the Future”. There was no actual Jewish Sports Hall of Fame at the time. Its existence was virtual, before the word virtual in the current context was conceived.
The HOF event was magical and took on a life of its own. The following year, another class of great Jewish athletes/sportspersons was honored at the BH Hilton. A member of my committee went to Israel and made an arrangement for an actual permanent exhibit. Soon afterward, in 1981, during the framework of the World Maccabiah Games in Israel, the Ministry of Education got involved and the JSHOF added the word International to its title, and with it a museum – Yad Le’ish Hasport Hayehudi – was dedicated at Netanya’s Wingate Institute of Sport. That year, 18 international sportsmen and women were inducted to join the previously elected Americans. Thereafter, annual elections of worldwide Jewish Sports Legends have taken place. A total now of 42 years.
Norm Crosby and Lyle Alzado, promo for Jokes with Jocks fundraiser benefiting Maccabiah Games.
How did you get involved with the stand-up comedy series, “The Comedy Shop”? How was that experience for you?
I came-up with the TV idea the way those of us prone to do so come up with show ideas. I already had two series as well as several other shows on the air. I was looking for something new.
I tried unsuccessfully for several years to sell the idea as Milton Berle’s Comedy Shop. Entertained a lot of conversation but no luck. Via left field I got a NY ad agency interested in the concept, but they had reservations about Berle. On a phone call with the agency one day a comic I knew, in the building to see his personal manager, popped in to say hello. “Hi Norm,” I said holding the phone to my ear. The agency guy asked who I was talking to. I said: “Norm Crosby.” “What a great idea” said the adman. And a deal to make a deal was hatched.
What part does Judaism play in your life?
It has always been an integral part of my identity. My mother is from Tzvat (Safed), and her Goldzweig family dates back to the mid-1770s in the town. Said to be followers of the Baal Shem Tov. Although I am moderately observant, I less and less keep up with the rest of my family of rabbis, cantors and observant relatives. In case anyone cares, I’m a Cohain.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of show business pursuits?
I guess my hobbies are lawn bowling and writing books about special Jewish sports figures. I never intended either endeavor to hang around for so many years, but I’ve written 5 books on the Jewish sports subject, and for several years, until last month, authored a column, “Who Knew”, for the Jewish Sports Review monthly newsletter.
Any tips or knowledge you’ve gained about growing older?
Keep your body parts well-lubed especially if they exceed their warranty dates.
