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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Jewish Sports Heritage Association Honorees
2022
INDUCTEES
Ira Berkow - Author & Sportswriter Eddie Gottlieb- Basketball Executive
Lillian Copeland - Track & Field Abby Hoffman - Track & Field
Julian Edelman - Football Sada Jacobson - Fencing
Charlotte Epstein - Swimming Philadelphia SPHAs - Basketball Team
Yuri Foreman - Boxing Renee Richards - Tennis
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
The Dr. Bruno Lambert Good Guy
David Margolis, M.D. - Oncologist
The Michael Freedman Outstanding Jewish High School Athletes of the Year
Rachel Arbitman, Hewlett HS (NY) - Tennis
Jacob Steinmetz, HAFTR (NY) - Baseball
The Jay Fiedler Outstanding Jewish College Athletes of the Year
Lindsey Ruderman, Amherst College- Diving
Daniel Cukierman, USC - Tennis
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2021
INDUCTEES
Mitch Albom - Author & Sportswriter Bonnie Rosen - Lacrosse Player & Coach
Al Bernstein - Broadcaster Ed Sabol - Media
Zhanna Block - Track & Field Steve Sabol - Media
Daniela Epstein - Basketball David Stern - NBA Commissioner
Harold Lederman - Boxing Judge Kevin Youkilis - Baseball
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
The Dr. Bruno Lambert Good Guy
Jon Steinberg - Basketball Executive
The Michael Freedman Outstanding Jewish High School Athletes of the Year
Estee Ackerman, Yeshiva University HS for Girls (NY) - Table Tennis
Lindsay Lipman, Viewpoint HS (Ca). - Soccer
Josh Wolf, St. Thomas HS (Texas) - Baseball
The Jay Fiedler Outstanding Jewish College Athletes of the Year
Sylvie Binder, Columbia University - Fencing
Hannah Fox, Amherst College - Basketball
Adam Fox, Harvard University - Ice Hockey
Gabriel Leifer, Yeshiva University - Basketball
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2020
(No Program Due to the Pandemic)
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2019
INDUCTEES
Craig Breslow - Baseball Mark Greenberg - Lacrosse
Anthony Ervin - Swimming Josh Pastner - Basketball Coach
Leah Goldstein - Cycling Marty Riger - Basketball Coach
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
The Dr. Bruno Lambert Good Guy
Jeff Bukantz, Maccabi USA
The Michael Freedman Outstanding Jewish High School Athletes of the Year
Rachel Goldstein, The Williams School (Ct) - Cross Country, Swim & Lacrosse
Spencer Freedman, Mater Dai (Ca) - Basketball
Joey Slackman, Commack HS (NY) - Football & Wrestling
The Jay Fiedler Outstanding Jewish College Athletes of the Year
Remy Borinsky, Dartmouth College - Soccer
Eli Dershwitz, Harvard University - Fencing
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2018
INDUCTEES
Cliff Bayer - Fencing Victor Niederhoffer - Squash
Preston Goldfarb - Soccer Coach Tracie Max Sachs - Speed Skiing
Boyd Melson - Boxing Dara Torres - Swimming
Merrill Moses - Water Polo Roby Young - Soccer
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
The Dr. Bruno Lambert Good Guy
Howard Borkan, Lacrosse
The Michael Freedman Outstanding Jewish High School Athletes of the Year
Naomi Kutin, Ma'Ayanot HS (NJ) - Powerlifting
Jacob Labovitz, Langley HS (Va) - Soccer
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
2023 - Helene Hines - Handcyclist
2020 - Sir Ben Helfgott - Olympic Weightlifter
2019 - Jay Fiedler - Football
THE DOLPH SCHAYES OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY A JEWISH ATHLETE
2023 - Abby Meyers - Basketball
2021 - Leah Goldstein - Cyclist
2020 - Yeshiva University Men's Basketball Team
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