Bio
Born and raised in rural America,
Zaq Harrison was an accomplished athlete. Zaq served as an IDF (Israeli Defense
Forces) combat soldier in the armored corps during the first Lebanese War,
Operation Peace for Galilee.
Following
his compulsory military service in Israel, Zaq worked professionally in
education. Although he transitioned to the private sector he maintained his lifelong
passion for education. Over the last twenty-five years Zaq
has devoted his spare time to developing educational programs and
mentoring students in nonprofits such as Hadassah Young Judaea and B'nai Brith
Youth.
Zaq coached youth baseball in Israel – he was the Manager of the Israeli National Youth Baseball Team in 2006 that took an unprecedented 3rd place in the European Championships.
In 2007, he fulfilled a life-long goal to work in professional baseball as the PA announcer at the Israeli Professional Baseball League's main venue. Zaq called the memorable All-Star game and Home Run Derby. Since 2009, Zaq served as an ASCA Certified Head Coach; first on the club, and then high school levels. He is currently an assistant coach with an NCAA swimming program. Zaq is one of a handful of active Sabbath Observant NCAA coaches.
In 2011 Zaq wrote “They Are All Gone” for the HBO documentary “Sport in America: Our Defining Stories.”
His essay shares the personal impact of the murder of the 11 Israeli Olympians
at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games had on him. HBO interviewed Zaq for the film,
highlighting the tragic events at Munich as one of the defining moments in
modern sport.
In May 2012 he created the educational program "Olympic
Choices" and has been speaking to groups throughout the United States. In September 2012, Zaq was the driving force and an official speaker at
the Israeli Embassy's and the Washington JCRC's 40th commemoration memorial
ceremony for the Munich 11.
Zaq has
worked in the private sector for over twenty years in banking and international
finance. He has also published articles on the US Real Estate
Market and Public Policy.
Zaq is the author of the
following articles and educational programs:
18 questions you Always Wanted to Know About Judaism but Were Afraid to Ask
Homocide - Mamet, The Movie and what Bobby Gold Says About Us
The Unit and The Last Nazi, Do We Still Even Care
Why Charlie Rose is More Important Than Pew
The 77th and the 7th, Stories from a Really Terrible Soldier
Hillbilly Jews - Manischewitz is the New Moonshine
I'm Not Kidding - Learn how to Juggle Three Balls
Kobayashi Maru - Mandatory National Service
What Ever Happened to Holden Caulfied - My Aliyah from a Mental Hospital, Not Really
I Hate People - My Career in Sales
The Sacred Burial Society, Why I Volunteer when Nobody Ever Says Thank You
Born and raised in rural America, Zaq Harrison was an accomplished high school varsity swimmer. Zaq served as an IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) combat soldier in the armored corps during the first Lebanese War, Operation Peace for Galilee in 1982.
After completing his military service in Israel, Zaq devoted his spare time to volunteering with students as a mentor and developing educational programs in nonprofits such as Hadassah Young Judaea. He has been a volunteer mentor for students for twenty-five years.
Later he coached youth baseball in Israel – he was the Manager of the Israeli National Youth Baseball Team in 2006 that took an unprecedented 3rd place in the European Championships.
In 2007, he fulfilled a life-long goal to work in professional baseball by volunteering as the PA announcer at the Israeli Professional Baseball League's main venue. Zaq called the memorable All-Star game and Home Run Derby. In 2009, Zaq served as an ASCA Certified Head Coach; first on the club, and then high school levels. He is currently an assistant coach with an NCAA swimming program. Zaq is one of a handful of active Sabbath Observant NCAA coaches.
His story “They Are All Gone,” a personal essay on the impact of the murder of the 11 Israeli Olympians at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, was chosen to be included in the 2013 HBO documentary, “Sport in America: The Defining Moments.”
After creating the educational program "Olympic Choices," he started speaking to groups throughout the United States. In September 2012, Zaq was the official speaker at the Israeli Embassy's 40th commemoration memorial ceremony for the Munich 11 held in Washington, D.C. Zaq is also the author of additional articles and educational programs.
Zaq has worked in the private sector for over twenty years in banking and international finance. He has also published articles on the US Real Estate Market and Public Policy.
Additional Programs and Articles by Zaq Harrison
18 questions you Always Wanted to Know About Judaism but Were Afraid to Ask
Homocide - Mamet, The Movie and what Bobby Gold Says About Us
The Unit and The Last Nazi, Do We Still Even Care
Why Charlie Rose is More Important Than Pew
The 77th and the 7th, Stories from a Really Terrible Soldier
Hillbilly Jews - Manischewitz is the New Moonshine
I'm Not Kidding - Learn how to Juggle Three Balls
Kobayashi Maru - Mandatory National Service
What Ever Happened to Holden Caulfied - My Aliyah from a Mental Hospital, Not Really
I Hate People - My Career in Sales
The Sacred Burial Society, Why I Volunteer when Nobody Ever Says Thank You
