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Right: Rheba Herman receives her gold
medal in wheelchair racing from volun-
teer Saul Zipser.

Below: Jeffrey Stone of Birmingham and
John Ryals go for the ball at the Michi-
gan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Games.

Ri ht: A group
of Hall of Fame
Games athletes
huddle together
before their bas-
ketball game.

Spirited Sports

The Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of
Fame Games celebrated its
12th successfulyear.

LONNY GOLDSMITH Staff Writer

A

BILL HANSEN Photographer

lthough not the same scale as. the JCC Maccabi Games of two weeks
ago, the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit hosted
another community-wide athletic 'event Sunday.
The Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Games brought together
150 physically and mentally impaired athletes to compete in sports such as bas-
ketball, tennis ball throw, swimming, and track and field.
"It gives them a chance to show their athletic promise," said Steve Simons,
executive director of the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. "One of the ath-
letes who spoke at the games said it's the most important thing they do all year."
The event was kicked off by master of ceremonies Eli Zaret. A torch lighting
and the competition followed.
"They feel like conquerers of the world," said Nate Pollack, who has been the
chairman of the event all 12 years. "It's something very heartrending."
In the evening following the sporting events, a dinner-dance was held, with
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more than 300 people attending. ❑