There are moments in your life when you realize you are in the presence of an angelic soul. 

Mike Sweetney was one those human beings. 

Mike Sweetney was the ninth pick of the 2003 NBA draft, eight picks behind LeBron James.

After a short NBA career, Mike suffered from depression and faced many struggles. 

In 2019, Mike visited Israel with the help of his friend Tamir Goodman, known as the “Jewish Jordan”. During those difficult times, the Jewish community picked him up. This beautiful relationship between Sweetney and the Jewish community led to him coaching Ramaz Day School in New York City and Yeshiva University. 

Mike visited Sinai Temple in the summer of 2019 and spent Shabbat in our community. It was the first time he was in a synagogue. He took his time teaching the sport he loved with every child, signed every autograph, and shook every hand. I will never forget the Shabbat dinner when families were so inspired by his willingness to engage with the Jewish community. 

Anyone that met him was instantly enamored by his sweet soul.

Mike traveled to Washington, D.C. to with the Sinai delegation to AIPAC where every Rabbi present was in awe that he would show up to support Israel and the Jewish people.

After October 7th, Sweetney traveled to Israel again where he knew he would meet hostage families. He wrote to me, “I know I’m not mentally prepared, but I know it’s what needed.”

Upon his return, and being attacked online, he wrote to me again, “I don’t care. It’s the right thing to do.”

Mike was about to begin his new coaching position at Golda Och Day School in New Jersey when he suddenly passed away this week.

I met Mike Sweetney through my work in the world of sports and faith. What I did not know is that the Jewish community would be gaining an eternal friend who as big as his seven foot frame was, his soul was gentle, kind, and angelic.

In a world full of division, Mike Sweetney was a man of building bridges. 

May Mike Sweetney’s life be a blessing.