A community 3-share health program for UNINSURED SMALL BUSINESSES in Wayne County Small Business HEALTH COVERAGE Change At The Top Jewish Hall of Fame exec steps aside. I Steve Stein I Special to The Jewish News teve Simons, the longest serving executive director of S the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation, will step down at the end of November. "It was a very difficult decision, but something had to give. I don't have time for two full-time jobs," said Simons, who has directed the foundation for 12 years after a three-year stint on the board of directors. In addition to his work with the foundation, Simons, 54, is presi- dent of the catalogue division of DP & Company advertising agency in Farmington Hills. Founded in 1984, the foundation is best known for pre- senting the annual Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame induction dinner. The Hall of Fame itself is housed at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. Simons Besides honor- ing the Hall of Fame inductees and Alvin Foon Award winner, the dinner also spotlights the Jewish News High School Athletes of the Year and Bill Hertz Memorial Scholarship winners. The Hank Greenberg Golf Invitational and the Fame Games for developmentally dis- abled athletes are other annual founda- tion projects. Former Michigan Boxing Commissioner Dr. Stuart Kirschenbaum, who served as presi- dent of the foundation's board of direc- tors the past four years, said Simons will be difficult to replace. "Steve's advertising background and deep involvement in the Jewish commu- nity made him a perfect person for the executive director's job': Kirschenbaum said. "He also has unmatched organiza- tional skills and insight" This year's Hall of Fame dinner will be Nov. 6 at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield. Among the induct- ees is Detroit Red Wings star Mathieu Schneider, the highest scoring defenseman in NHL history. Former Pittsburgh Steelers standout Jerome Bettis will receive the Foon Award for community service. The Fame Games will be Nov. 12 at the JCC in West Bloomfield. Simons, a West Bloomfield resident, wrote a 25-page booklet on how to organize the Hall of Fame dinner. He said he'll also be available to his suc- cessor to answer questions about any foundation activity. The search for Simons' replacement will begin in ear- nest after the foundation's November events. Bittersweet Summer It was a summer teenager Noah Eubanks will never forget. First he learned he was the recipient of the Metropolitan Detroit Maccabi Club's $1,000 Robinson Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is named for Jay Robinson, the club's founder and past president. Past and present Maccabi athletes are eligible to apply. Eubanks used the scholarship to help pay for Federation's Teen Mission '06. He was one of 214 Michigan youths who went to Israel for a scheduled month-long trip that was cut in half because of the hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. "Even though it was scary, I always felt safe in Israel': Eubanks said. "I was so disappointed that we had to leave early. It was very difficult leaving the Israeli kids who were on the mission with us." Eubanks left behind a soccer ball he received at a University of Michigan soccer Eubanks camp in June. A junior soccer player and swimmer at West Bloomfield High School, Eubanks is a two-year starter at midfield for the Lakers' soccer team. He was a member of the Detroit Maccabi swims team for three years. After Eubanks returned from Teen Mission '06, he traveled to Vancouver in August and won silver and bronze med- als in his final Maccabi competition. Eubanks, 16, is the son of Gary and Gayle Eubanks of West Bloomfield. His sister, Emily, 21, is a senior at Michigan State University. Eni Benefits that fit your budget COMMUNITY PARTNERS • Primary care office visits • Maternity care • Prescription drugs • Specialist office visits • Outpatient behavioral visits • Oupatient hospitalization • Inpatient hospitalization • Urgent care center visits • Emergency room visits • Home care visits • Lab and x-ray services • Hospice care St. John Health Detroit Medical Center Henry Ford Health System Oakwood Healthcare System Wayne County your share 56 per month CALL TODAY 866-780-6655 "A great health program for employees and employers." Robert A. Ficano Wayne County Executive and Four Star Chairman F Wayne County SI. John Health Detroit Medical Center Henry Ford Health System Oakwood Heatthcare System Wayne County Four Star .0( *Star HEALTH 1 , 0,32D3 Skyline & The Back Street Horns Visit our web site vvvvw. lorioross.com •Rumplestiltskin •11JSA •Nightline •Persuasion caissons Murphy Band •Simone Vitale Band •Intrigue •Sun Messengers 'Radio City Please send sports news to sports@thejewishnews.com. October 5 . 2006 35