Senate Resolution No. 432

BY: Senator MARTINEZ

COMMENDING the Inductees and Honorees of the
Jewish Sports Heritage Association, Inc. on April
23, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge and
celebrate individuals and organizations of cultural significance which
add vitality, sensitivity, understanding and inspiration to the
diversity and value of the people of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Inductees and Honorees of the Jewish Sports Heritage
Association, Inc. to be celebrated at its 5th Annual Induction Ceremony
on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Temple Israel of Lawrence, in Lawrence,
New York; and

WHEREAS, The Jewish Sports Heritage Association chronicles and
celebrates Jewish involvement in all sports; from boxing to football to
tennis, from basketball to baseball to swimming, from the broadcaster's
booth to the sportswriters desk, and from the playing field to the
manager's bench and the owner's office, Jews have made a significant
impact on the world of sports; and

WHEREAS, Moreover, in focusing on sports, an aspect of Jewish
accomplishments with which too many are unfamiliar, the Jewish Sports
Heritage Association offers a starting point for discussions of
stereotype and prejudice; and

WHEREAS, In demonstrating the fallacy of the assumption that "Jews
in Sports" is considered by Jews and non-Jews alike to be an oxymoron,
the Jewish Sports Heritage Association questions the many stereotypes
about diverse groups which we carry in our minds and hearts; and

WHEREAS, Sports have provided a means of weaving not only Jews, but
other minority and immigrant groups, into the American tapestry; the
story of Jews in Sports is a paradigmatic piece of the mosaic of
America; and

WHEREAS, This year's Jewish Sports Heritage Association Inductees
include: Jerry Eskenazi, Author and Sportswriter; Sherry Levin,
Basketball Player and Coach; Nancy Feldman, Soccer Coach; David Newmark,
Basketball Player; Dr. Ludwig Guttmann, Paralympics; Mike Saunders,
Athletic Trainer; Mike Katz, Bodybuilding; Herb Turetzky, Basketball
Scorer; and Abel Kiviat, Track and Field; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this year's distinguished Honorees include:
Mike Oren, Soccer Coach, The Dr. Bruno Lambert Jewish Good Guys in
Sports Award; Riley Weiss, Hewlett High School Basketball, The Michael
Freedman Outstanding Jewish High School Athletes of the Year Award; Max
Klein, Newton North High School, The Michael Freedman Outstanding Jewish
High School Athletes of the Year Award; Skyler Schork, United States
Naval Academy Rowing, The Jay Fiedler Outstanding Jewish College
Athletes of the Year Award; Ryan Turell, Yeshiva University Basketball,

The Jay Fiedler Outstanding Jewish College Athletes of the Year Award;
and Elliot Steinmetz, Yeshiva University, Men's Basketball Head Coach,
The Marty Riger Outstanding Jewish Coach of the Year Award; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes that New York State is the
home to countless individuals of Jewish descent who are strong and
colorful threads, vital to the fabric of our rich heritage, who have
contributed, and continue to add to the advancement of our culture
through their traditional and non-traditional roles in society; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Inductees and Honorees of the Jewish Sports Heritage
Association, Inc. to be celebrated at its 5th Annual Induction Ceremony
on April 23, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Jewish Sports Heritage Association, Inc.