For Openers
'cha,
ow © 2003
Dean Of The Diamond
MIKE ROSENBAUM
Special to the Jewish News
S pectators frequently recognize George Maskin at
youth sporting events.
"I have a lot of people come to me now who
are grandfathers; and they're there cheering their
grandkids on; they say they remember me when I
umpired or refereed their games," Maskin says.
Unlike those grandfathers, however, Maskin isn't there
to watch his grandkids. The man who officiated the
grandparents' games is now officiating their grandchil-
dren's contests.
At age 86, Maskin umpires high school softball and
summer baseball and softball games, plus middle school
volleyball matches.
"I enjoy it and I've been encouraged to do it, even at
my age," he explains. "I'm probably the oldest guy out
there officiating ... I always have felt that if nobody's com-
George Maskin has officiated local sports for 60-plus years.
plaining and I can get around and do the job, then I do
it. The good Lord's been good to me in that respect. A lot
of people my age cannot do those things."
rise of girls sports.
The West Bloomfield resident has officiated for so long
"As a sports writer, I used to write columns saying,
— at least 60 years — he's not certain when he started. As
`Why don't the girls have sports?' Now they have a full
an Army public relations man during World War II, he
schedule of them. The girls have made tremendous
traveled with, and umpired, an Army softball team that
improvements in their skills."
played in England, Scotland and Ireland.
As an umpire and referee, he has few problems with
Maskin became a high school official in 1948 and also
players. "I've always found that the kids are wonderful —
umpired college baseball games. He officiated 150-200
all the kids."
baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball and football games
The adults are sometimes a different story. "The moth-
in some years.
: ers are good. But some of the fathers, I wouldn't give
At the same time, he was also a Detroit Times sports
them all grade A's. Most of the coaches are pretty good."
writer, then the public relations director for the Detroit
Maskin doesn't work for the extra income; he does it for
Pistons and Hazel Park Raceway. He remains a member of fun and to be involved in athletics. He'll continue to offi-
the Baseball Writers Association and annually votes for
ciate "as long as I can walk around and nobody com-
baseball's Hall of Fame nominees.
plains.
The biggest change he's seen in his career has been the
"As long as they want me and I'm able, I'll do it." E
D
espite the public animosi-
ty between Israel and
some Muslim leaders,
Israel has diplomatic rela-
tions with several Islamic nations,
including Turkey, Kazakhstan,
Uzbekistan and four other majority
Muslim states in the former Soviet
Union and with the nation having the
fourth largest Muslim population in
the world. Name that country.
— Goldfein
-Eipui :Jamstry
Quotables
"Hillel's uniqueness and its strength
are to create Jewish campus commu-
nities that appeal to a wide spectrum
of college students — those with
piercings and those with peyote.
During their college years, for a gold-
en moment in time, Jewish students
lower their ideological and denomina-
tional barriers to experience one
another as generic Jews."
— Avraham InfeleZ
interim president of Hillel•
The Foundation for Jewish Life,
quoted in the Forward.
Yiddish Limericks
My fish rnan's inept as can be.
He never filets carefully.
He leaves bones throughout.
Er iz mir, no doubt,
A beyn in haldz,* if you ask me.
— Martha Jo Fleischmann
Shabbat Candlelighting
* He's a bone in my throat.
"When the candles are lit, light from above fills the home with a brightness and
energy that are not particle or wave — but a bit of clarity that HaShem runs the
world and gives us a corner to occupy ourselves with. That is Shabbat."
— Rabbi Alon Tolwin, Southfield,
executive director, Aish HaTorah of Metro Detroit
Sponsored by Lubavitch
Women's Organization.
To submit a candlelighting
message or to receive
complimentary candlesticks
and information on Shabbat
candlelighting call Miriam
Amzalak of Oak Park at
(248) 967-5056 or e-mail:
mamzalak@juno.com
Candlelighting
Candlelighting
Friday, Aug. 8, 8:26 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 15, 8:16 p.m.
Shabbat Ends
Shabbat Ends
Saturday, Aug. 9, 9:31 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16, 9:20 p.m.
Yiddish-isms
chaloshes
A revolting, disgusting or loathsome
thing — whether in food, drink or
conduct, whether visible or ethical.
Source: From The New joys of Yiddish
by Leo Calvin Rosten, edited by
Lawrence Bush, copyright 2001, by
the Rosten Family LLC. Used by per-
mission of the Rosten Family LLC.
8/ 8
2003
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