A Tribe Of Athletes

January 22, 2026

Originally Published for The Lion’s Tale HERE

Hundreds of Jewish collegiate athletes play for and represent many different colleges across the United States. However, despite representing their respective colleges, there is one thing that unites all Tribe NIL athletes: religion and heritage. 

Tribe NIL was founded in 2025 by Eitan Levine and Jeremy Moses as an initiative that helps provide financial and community support to Jewish athletes in college. By fostering this “tribe” of Jewish athletes, athletes are able to develop a community and networking opportunities between fellow Jews. 

“I am trying to show Jewish athletes that they should and can profit off of their name, image, and likeness by showing themselves to the Jewish community,” Moses said. “It’s not just about getting brand deals, but what’s actually important is creating a community that will embrace them later, when they have asks of their own.”

NIL, or name, image and likeness, is a means by which collegiate athletes can receive sponsorships to capitalize on their personal brand value. 

Not only does Tribe NIL provide networking opportunities between athletes, but also connections with brands like Nike, Red Bull, Jeep, and Manischewitz. Tribe NIL has been featured on television productions like Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Daily Show and The Kelly Clarkson Show.

According to its website, over 200 athletes are partnered with Tribe NIL, making the organization the largest collection of Jewish college athletes in the United States. Some of their athletes include JDS alumni Ben Bass (‘23) and Nathen Szubin (‘25). 

Bass is currently a junior playing division-three basketball at Penn State Brandywine. Szubin is running cross-country and track at Middlebury College. Both Szubin and Bass appreciated the provided opportunity to meet Jewish athletes.

“I love Tribe [NIL] because it gives me an opportunity to connect with other Jewish athletes around the country and also make a name for myself as a Jewish athlete,” Bass said.

Tribe NIL is already planning group professional development programs. For example, this summer, when the athletes are not restricted by practices and workouts, Tribe NIL is hosting the first-ever collegiate athlete birthright trip to Israel for ten days. 

Not only will athletes be able to visit the Jewish homeland, but they will also build relationships with people who have similar lifestyles. Athletes must take their sleep schedules and diets very seriously at the collegiate level, and that is one of the many things members of Tribe NIL can bond over.  

“There’s leadership development and professional development where people can connect [athletes] to people of significance in the Jewish community, that are in the industries that they want to be working in,” Moses said.

Moses also talked about how other organizations are recognizing talented Jewish collegiate athletes, like Manischwitz. This year, Manischwitz announced the creation of the Athletic Honors Society, a competition through popular vote for the best male and female Jewish athlete in college.  

“Jewish athletes bring a powerful blend of talent, culture, and influence,” said Shani Seidman, chief marketing officer of Manischewitz. “This campaign recognizes their success on the field and their role as meaningful cultural ambassadors on campus. It’s an honor to uplift these athletes and spotlight the diversity and vitality of modern Jewish identity.”

Winners will receive a $10,000 prize, their face on a limited-edition box of official Manischewitz Matzo, recognition from the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and major brand and national media spotlight. The competition is also known as the “L’Cheisman,” a parallel and parody to the Heisman trophy in college football.

One of the main athletes that Tribe NIL is trying to promote to win the L’Cheisman is JDS alumnus Lev BenAvram (‘22), a top 10 nationally ranked fencer at Brandeis University. 

“Getting people to help vote for Lev would be huge for him, because he doesn’t receive as much attention as basketball or football players do,” Moses said. 

Since Tribe NIL is a very young and new idea, Moses’ main goal is trying to get as many Jewish collegiate athletes to join the “tribe.” Moses also hopes to help his athletes earn and get exposed to new opportunities, such as representing Israel in the Olympics. 

“Jewish athletes can profit off of NIL and also by showing themselves to the Jewish community and building lifelong connections,” Moses said.