An Olympic Miracle

Sam Zeitlin was an avid cyclist, a New Yorker, and a secular Jew. He achieved success in cycling, earning medals in national and international competitions, with dreams of competing in the Olympics. However, facing significant anti-Semitism in the United States, he decided to join the Israeli national team to pursue his Olympic aspirations.

During his time in Israel, Sam began observing Shabbat, a commitment that became central to his life. Yet, his Olympic dream remained strong. When tryouts for the Olympics were scheduled on a Saturday, conflicting with his observance of Shabbat, Sam faced a difficult choice. He petitioned for the tryouts to be rescheduled but was told that there would be no exceptions.

Despite his unwavering commitment to Shabbat, the decision weighed heavily on Sam. The conflict between his faith and his Olympic ambitions caused emotional turmoil. Ultimately, he chose to prioritize his religious beliefs and dropped out of the tryouts.

In 1972, during the Munich Olympics, tragedy struck when the Palestinian terror group Black September took eleven Israeli athletes hostage in the Olympic Village. All eleven were killed in a horrific manner.

Sam Zeitlin's decision to honor Shabbat had unintended yet profound consequences. By sacrificing his Olympic dream, he unknowingly saved his life. His story serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable paths life can take and the strength found in staying true to one's convictions, even in the face of immense challenges.