Former Basketball Phenom Tamir Goodman Writes Children’s Book about his Life

March 7, 2025 Anna Lippe

Tamir Goodman: “I wanted to be able to hopefully empower kids, because oftentimes when they find out that they have a learning difficulty or any challenge, they might lose their confidence, or they might feel down about themselves." (Provided photo)

Does the name Tamir Goodman ring a bell? It should.

Back in 1999, Goodman was a Talmudical Academy of Baltimore student when he was ranked the 25th best high school basketball player in the nation and had an international media following.

Dubbed “the Jewish Jordan” by Sports Illustrated, he played NCAA Division I basketball at Towson University, where the team accommodated his rule of not playing on Shabbat.

Now 43, Goodman lives in Jerusalem with his wife, Judy, their five children and dog named Goofy. The former American-Israeli professional basketball player divides his time as an entrepreneur, coach, educator and motivational speaker.

Goodman still loves the game and runs a sleepaway basketball camp in Jerusalem for players from around the world.

“I wear so many hats in basketball, whether it’s product development work, coaching, scouting, helping players and running clinics through basketball camps,” he says.

His most recent endeavor was writing a children’s book, “Live Your Dream: The Story of a Jewish Basketball All-Star,” which was illustrated by Jim Madsen and published by PJ Publishing. The nonprofit PJ Library Jewish literacy and engagement program sends free high-quality Jewish children’s books to families every month.

“I cannot thank PJ Library enough,” says Goodman. “Every single person on the staff has been so amazing to work with. PJ Library has done such a great job of bringing this book to life and getting it out there.”

Goodman’s story, as depicted in the illustrated children’s book, includes channeling his learning disability of dyslexia into his “superpower” on the court.

“I struggled a lot academically, and my parents helped me,” says Goodman. “But at the same time, I realized that there’s a hidden blessing in being dyslexic. I felt because I was dyslexic, I could see things that other people couldn’t see on the court — openings in the defense, things that were going to happen that didn’t happen yet.”

Goodman says he leaned into his strengths. Seeing things that his teammates couldn’t see, and picturing in his mind where his teammates were located on the court, helped increase his confidence.

“A lot of times when you’re dyslexic, you compensate throughout the day,” says Goodman. “We’re working parts of our brain that most people don’t work. It makes us oftentimes very creative, very good at problem solving, a really good intuition, things like that.”

He wanted to use his own personal story to help inspire confidence and self-respect among young readers, regardless of their struggles.

“I wanted to be able to hopefully empower kids, because oftentimes when they find out that they have a learning difficulty or any challenge, they might lose their confidence, or they might feel down about themselves,” says Goodman.

The goal of his book is to let them know that they have a superpower within themselves as well.

“Sometimes, society or kids themselves might feel like they’re not smart if they have a learning challenge,” Goodman says. “And I’m just hoping — and so far, the feedback has been great — that it is empowering kids around the world. There’s often a hidden blessing within your challenge, and we shouldn’t let the challenge define us.”

Goodman says he has received feedback from families around the world on how the book’s message resonates with them, making his dream of empowering kids a reality.

His book also shows Judaism’s central role in his life and highlighted his family’s observance of Shabbat.

In Goodman’s mind, Judaism and basketball are interwoven in his life.

“Judaism actually helped me with basketball, because Judaism is a blueprint. It’s a way of life,” he says. “It’s, like, how to sleep, how to eat, how to take care of your body, how to take care of your mind, winning each day, giving back, playing for a higher purpose. I think Judaism actually helped me be a better basketball player.”

In the book, Goodman highlights his special relationship with his maternal grandmother, Roza Sheffer, who was a Holocaust survivor.

“She was my hero, and Judaism just became so alive with her,” he says.

Goodman reflects on his fond memories of growing up in an observant community in Northwest Baltimore and how it shaped who he is today.

“I love Baltimore, growing up there, the community, my friends, my family, and my coach,” he says. “I had a coach who believed in me more than I believed in myself. If I didn’t grow up in Baltimore, who’s to know who would have coached me? I’m so blessed. Thank you to everyone in Baltimore. Lots of blessings to everyone.”

Anna Lippe is a Washington, D.C.-based freelance writer.