December 14, 2009 / 27 Kislev 5770

On Monday, December 14, Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky met with the Jewish boxer Dmitry Salita, the light welterweight champion of the United States, and second in the world.  The boxer is currently visiting Israel with his new wife, and in his meeting with Sharansky he informed the Chairman that this is his first visit to the Jewish State.  Salita expressed how profoundly impressed he was with the Jewish people living in Zion.

It was also discovered during the meeting that Sharansky and Salita share a common hobby – chess.
The Chairman invited Salita to a friendly chess match, and it seems that Salita was unaware that Sharansky is a renowned chess expert who in the past has even defeated the world chess champion, Garry Kasparov.

The game ended after 20 moves, with Sharansky emerging as the victor.  The Chairman was quick to point out, however, that “I managed to beat you in 20 moves in chess, but I have no doubt that I wouldn’t last even twenty seconds against you in the boxing ring.”

Salita, for his part, complimented the Chairman on his quick victory and invited him to a rematch – in the boxing ring.  Sharansky replied that he would consider the invitation.