Published: 19 January 2021
Last updated: 4 March 2024
FOOTBALL ENJOYS POPULAR following in Israel. Although Israeli players have made their mark in Europe’s elite leagues, in Australia, Israelis have been thin on the ground.
In its 16 years of existence Australia’s domestic football – the A-League – has seen players from across the world: Fijians, Nigerians, Turks, Thais and Canadians. But until season 2020/21, no Israelis.
Enter Tomer Hemed. This month, the 33-year-old from the township of KiryatTiv'on in Israel’s north, became the first Israeli to ply his trade in the A-League; the newest marquee signing for Wellington Phoenix (the competition’s only New Zealand-based club).
Speaking to The Jewish Independent, during his two-week quarantine in Australia in December, Hemed says he is proud to be the first Israeli.
“It’s always special when you are the first one – especially in the football world.”
“That was one of the reasons why I was excited to come here. It was a good opportunity for me and for my family to have this new experience.”
Before arriving in Sydney, the forward spent a decade playing for five different clubs across the top leagues of Spain and England – including a successful stint at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club.
Three years ago, amid a rise of anti-Semitic incidents in the US and the UK, Hemed sported a Star of David buzz cut while playing for Brighton in the English Premier League.
At each club he has been something a rare species: an Israeli and an observant Jew.
Three years ago, amid a rise of anti-Semitic incidents in the US and the UK, Hemed sported a Star of David buzz cut while playing for Brighton in the English Premier League. After one match he tweeted an image of the haircut with the hashtag #proudtobeJewish. Today he regularly posts on Instagram images of himself praying and wrapped in tefillin.
“It’s [Judaism] very important part of my life,” he tells The Jewish Independent.
“I try to practice my religion as much as I can. I am praying every day and on Friday, if we are not playing away, I am going to synagogue. I am eating only kosher meats and not mixing meat and dairy.”
Hemed says living abroad changed his outlook, and as a result, his relationship with Judaism.
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“As a kid we used to go to synagogue on holidays and do kiddush every Friday. It was something that was in our house. But I think with my years abroad I am getting closer and closer to the religion.
“I am doing more things I didn’t do in the past. Now I am father, husband, it’s important my family do as many (Jewish rituals) as we can. I want it to be a big part of our lives.”
While playing at Brighton, Hemed spent four seasons alongside an Israeli teammate: his childhood friend and neighbour, Beram Kayal. Kayal is an Arab and Muslim. The pair generated media coverage for their cross-cultural friendship and shared commitment to coexistence.
“In Haifa (near where Hemed and Kayal grew up) you see a lot of Jewish, Muslim and Christians living together and sharing their lives.
“Football is a great example, especially in youth teams, where you see kids playing together and making friends, without any concern for which religion they are.
“Beram and I are proud of our friendship. We were kind of one family. We tried to show everyone how it was important it is [for Jews and Muslims to live together].”
When you look at Israel from another country it seems as if Jews and Arabs are not having a good relationship. But it’s not true, there are many good friendships.
The child of a Sephardic and Ashkenazi family (father from Syria and mother from Poland), Hemed understands the importance of bridging cultural divides.
“When you look at Israel from another country it seems as if Jews and Arabs are not having a good relationship. But it’s not true, there are many good friendships,” Hemed explains.
“As famous football players we can show everyone that you can play and be friends together. It’s very important.”
His maturity and unassuming leadership style will be much needed this season at Wellington Phoenix.
Border closures and international quarantine requirements forced the Phoenix to abandon New Zealand for the duration of the 2020-2021 season and base itself in the city of Wollongong (two hours south of Sydney). Home matches will be played before small, mostly neutral crowds at the city’s WIN Stadium (usually host to Rugby League).
Wellington’s previous season, overseen by new manager Ufuk Talay, saw the club go unbeaten in nine games and climb to third place on the ladder. When the pandemic disrupted the A-League season in March, the club was forced to relocate to Australia. When the season resumed, they won just one of their remaining seven matches.
“When the manager spoke to me about coming here, he told me the role he wants me to play. He explained that we are playing attractive, attacking football and creating lots of chances,” Hemed says.
“The good thing in my game is I can be used as a number 9 or 10 (forward position), but I also have a good relationship with the players around me and I can create chances for others to score too.”
In the opening two rounds of season 2020-2021 Wellington have lost one and drawn one. Hemed has featured in both games but is yet to score (despite creating a number of opportunities in both matches.
Reunited with his wife and three children (he is married to former model Shunit Faragi, a Miss Universe 2008 contestant), Hemed is ready to take on the A-League’s best.
“If they are happy and comfortable then I can concentrate and focus on my football.”
Even before leaving his quarantine stint he’d already been approached by members of Sydney’s Jewish and Israeli community, keen to lend a hand of help.
“They have already been in touch to ask how I am, and whether I need anything.”
“It’s good. I’m looking forward to getting to know the Jewish and Israeli community.”
Photo: Tomer Hemed (Twitter)
