Wanna Play Pickleball?

Created by Rabbi Shari Shamah, Jewish Life Specialist

Shari.shamah@memglobal.org

When and Where did Pickleball Originate?

“After playing golf one Saturday during the summer, Joel Pritchard, congressman from

Washington State and Bill Bell, successful businessman, returned to Pritchard’s home on Bainbridge Island, WA (near Seattle) to find their families sitting around with nothing to do. The property had an old badminton court so Pritchard and Bell looked for some badminton equipment and could not find a full set of rackets. They improvised and started playing with ping-pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball. At first they placed the net at badminton height of 60 inches and volleyed the ball over the net. As the weekend progressed, the players found that the ball bounced well on the asphalt surface and soon the net was lowered to 36 inches.

The following weekend, Barney McCallum was introduced to the game at Pritchard’s home. Soon, the three men created rules, relying heavily on badminton. They kept in mind the original

purpose, which was to provide a game that the whole family could play together. “ History Of The Game | USA Pickleball

How Big is Pickleball Today?  

One study estimates that 5 million people played pickleball in 2021.  The Sports & Fitness Industry Association studied that Pickleball nearly doubled in 2022 and has increased 158.6% over the past three years.  Covid quarantines and the ability to play this game distanced and outdoors is also said to have contributed to the growth.

How did it get its name?  One explanation is that it’s named for the dog (Pickles) of the inventors.  Though, others say the founder’s dog was named for the game.   

Another more probable theory is that game was a leftover from other racket sports, and references the “pickle boat” which is the last one to finish a race.   

Why is it popular?  It is play on small courts – so there is not as much running.  It can be social, easier to play than tennis, and multigenerational.  It’s easier on one’s body than other racket sports.

Jewish Connection to Pickleball:

• As a highly requested addition to the Maccabi games, in July 2024, Pickleball was added to Pan American Maccabi Games.
• Maccabi USA is hoping to include Pickleball in the 2025 Maccabiah Games in Israel.
• Jewish overnight camps have responded to the game’s popularity.  Among many others, Eisner Camp (MA), Camp Newman (CA), URJ’s 6 Points Sports Academy (NC), Ramah in

NY, Ojai, and WI have all added it to their offerings. ( The Jewish Sport Report: Why this sport is all the rage at Jewish summer camp – Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

• A quick internet search of Judaism and Pickleball leads to at least a dozen JCC’s that have added courts, leagues, and lessons to their current recreational offerings.   
• Congregation Shir Shalom (Reform/Reconstructionist Synagogue near Buffalo, NY) hosts pickleball nights in the social hall.  (Why your synagogue, and mine, needs a pickleball court – Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Pickleball and Shmirat HaGuf:

The Jewish value of taking care of your body is Shmirat HaGuf, literally translated as Guarding One’s Body.  Shmirat HaGuf can include both mental, spiritual, and physical health and wellbeing.  

Taking Care of Yourself in Ancient Jewish Texts:   

When injury is likely, one should not rely on a miracle.  Kiddushin 39b

The body is the soul’s house.  Therefore, shouldn’t we take care of our house so that it does not fall into ruin?  (Philo Judaeus)

If your custom is to take walks, you should intend it for the sake of heaven – in order to be healthy for the service of God, who is blessed.  Your thought should be that you are exercising so that your mind will be relaxed and vigorous, so that you will see how to act in all your affairs as proper.  (Yitzchak Buxbaum, Jewish Spiritual Practices)

 ְוְעוֹד כְָלָל אֵַחֵר אְָמְרוּ בִּבְִּרִּיאוּת ַהַגּוּף. ָכָל זְַמַן שֶׁאָָדָם מִּתְעֵַמֵל וְיָגֵַעַ הַרְֵבֵה וְֵאֵינוֹ שָבֵַעַ וּמֵָעָיו רִָּפִּין ֵאֵין חִּלִּי ָבָא עָָלָיו וְֹכֹחוֹ מִּתְחֵַזֵק. וַאֲִּפִּלּוּ אוֵֹכֵל מַאֲָכָלוֹת הָרִָּעִּים: 

They have given another principle with regard to physical well-being: As long as one exercises, exerts oneself greatly, does not eat to the point of satiation and has loose bowels, they will not suffer sickness and will grow in strength. [This applies] even if one eats harmful foods.

(Mishneh Torah, Human Dispositions 4:14)

What do you think of the idea of a Pickleball court in a synagogue? 

Why is Shmirat HaGuf so important?

Do you think the sages understood exercise as we do today?

What role does Shmirat HaGuf play in your life?

What are the benefits of exercise?