
JSHA Announces Class of 2024 Inductees
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Jewish Sports Heritage Association is pleased to announce the Class of 2024. The Inductees will be honored at the 6th Annual Induction Ceremony, held on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel, Lawrence, N.Y. The Inductees are:
YAEL AVERBUCH - Yael is the current General Manager of NJ/NY Gotham FC, a retired professional soccer player, 2 time national champion at powerhouse University of North Carolina and she represented the U.S. on the women's national team from 2007-'13.
MIKE CANDEL - Mike spent 22 years as a writer and columnist for 'Newsday.' He founded the first lacrosse team at Nassau Community College and the first junior college program on Long Island. During his career at Nassau Community College his record was 60-4 and he won the inaugural NJCAA championship in 1970.
ROSS GREENBURG - Ross was the President of HBO Sports from 2000-'11, Executive Producer for HBO Sports from 1985-'00. During his tenure he won 51 Sports Emmys and 8 Peabody Awards. He is recognized as one of the most innovative producers and best storytellers in television history.
DAVE KUFELD - Dave was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1980 NBA Draft out of Yeshiva University. Named All-American as a senior in 1979-'80 and he was a two-time NCAA rebounding champion. He remains fifth in this category in DIII history with 15.1 rpg during his four years with the Maccabees. He was named National Jewish Player of the Year for DII and DIII by 'Jewish Sports Review' in both '79 and '80.
DMITRIY SALITA - Dmitriy is currently a boxing promoter and former professional boxing World Champion. As a pro boxer Dmitriy fought 38 bouts and had a record of 35-2-1, with 18 KOs. He was NABA light welterweight champion; IBF, WBA and WBF Jr. Welterweight World Champion.
ZELDA SPOELSTRA - The "Angel of the NBA," Zelda advised every commissioner from the founding of the league through Commissioner Adam Silver. She worked tirelessly to help secure pensions, arrange for medical assistance and develop retirement programs for generations of NBA players.
ALEX STERNBERG - Dr. Sternberg earned his Black Belt in 1968, and is presently an 8th degree Master of Shotokan Karate.
Sensei Sternberg won over 75 regional, national and international karate medals, propelling him to be listed as one of "America's Top 10 Champions." After retiring from competition he coached the USA national team in international events.
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JSHA Previous Honorees 2023
Jerry Eskenazi - Sportswriter and Author
Nancy Feldman - Soccer Coach
Sir Ludwig Guttmann - Paralympics Founder
Michael Katz - Bodybuilder
Abel Kiviat - Track & Field
Sherry Levin - Basketball Player & Coach
David Newmark - Basketball
Mike Saunders - Athletic Trainer
Herb Turetzky - Basketball Scorer
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2022
Ira Berkow - Sportswriter & Author
Lillian Copeland - Track & Field
Julian Edelman - Football
Charlotte Epstein - Swimming
Yuri Foreman - Boxing
Eddie Gottlieb - Basketball Coach & Executive
Abby Hoffman - Track & Field
Sada Jacobson - Fencing
Philadelphia SPHAs - Basketball Team
Dr. Renee Richards - Tennis
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2021
Mitch Albom - Sportswriter & Author
Al Bernstein - Broadcaster
Zhanna Block - Track & Field
Daniela Epstein - Basketball
Harold Lederman - Boxing Judge
Bonnie Rosen - Lacrosse Player & Coach
Ed Sabol - Media
Steve Sabol - Media
David Stern - Basketball Commissioner
Kevin Youkilis - Baseball
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2020
No program due to the Pandemic.
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2019
Craig Breslow - Baseball
Anthony Ervin - Swimming
Leah Goldstein - Cycling
Mark Greenberg - Lacrosse
Josh Pastner - Basketball Coach
Marty Riger - Basketball Coach
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2018
Cliff Bayer - Fencing
Preston Goldfarb - Soccer Coach
Boyd Melson - Boxing
Merrill Moses - Water Polo
Dr. Victor Niederhoffer - Squash
Tracie Max Sachs - Speed Skiing
Dara Torres - Swimming
Roby Young - Soccer
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