More than 600 athletes participating in many sport teams were honored with certificates of merit and trophies at many ceremonies throughout the month of May at the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center in North Miami Beach.
Titled as the Leo Gelvan Awards, the ceremonial presentations were given to each of the athletes in basketball, flag football, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, tennis and water polo at numerous ceremonies for each sport.
“What is important in the athletes receiving the awards is the skills learned through sportsmanship, team bonding and unity on our many MARJCC teams. Every individual contributes to the success of the team and the recognition of each person is important as an important skill in life,” said Gary Bomzer, president and chief executive officer of the MARJCC at the awards ceremonies.
Certificates and trophies were awarded to the athletes in a wide variety of categories, such as defensive players, spirit awards (for team leadership), to both boys and girls teams in different age/grade levels in all sports.
“Winning games is not the main criteria used for the awards. Of course, we are proud of the fact that many of our traveling teams achieved a high ranking in the state, but the emphasis in our programs is for the athletes to learn how to play together as a team and work together to achieve,” said Noah Feldman, basketball director at the MARJCC.
The fourth grade boys basketball MARJCC team won first place honors in the state of Florida and the sixth grade boys basketball team was ranked third in the state.
Although all the JCC sports teams have Jewish participants, the enrollment of all the sport teams include both Jews and non-Jews.
“We are very proud to have many ethnic groups working together in a team sport. Part of a successful life is the ability to interact with people of many faiths and groups, and that is important in all the JCC sport teams,” said Feldman.
Special awards was also given to people who were involved in non-athletic activities.
The “Family of the Year” trophy was awarded to the Bentes family for their involvement in many of the JCC sports teams.
“Volunteer of the Year” was awarded to Ruthy Wigoda.
“All the families, volunteers deserve recognition as there would be no sports leagues created without the dedication of those willing to work on our many committees,” said Julie Singleton, Health, Sports, Recreation and Wellness director at the MARJCC.
Enrollment for a wide variety of sports programs and teams offered at the MARJCC are detailed in the program guides that can be seen online at www.marjcc.org.
For more information on the many sports programs offered at the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center, 18900 NE 25th Ave. in North Miami Beach, call 305-932-4200 or go to www.marjcc.org.