THE PARK LIVING A 'Souper' Matzo Bowl The "Mossad" team, the Yiddish Footba II League's Matzo Bowl champs, show- ing off their "trophies" of chicken broth and matzah, are Bruce Ruben, Rocky Pemple, Marc Ruben, Steven Bell, David Zeitlin and Scott Farnick. "I JUST DECIDED THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO BE ALONE ANYMORE: g/klaking new friends is one of life's greatest pleasures. Residents of The Park at Trowbridge often become re- energized with a whole new zest for life as they make new friends with people their own age, people they can relate to See for yourself why seniors living at The Park at Trowbridge experience an invigorating sense of independence, freedom and optimism. Your story continues here... For more information or to visit, call today! giteYCl/A4 at Trowbridge (24 8 ) 352-0208 24 111 Civic Center Drive Southfield, MI 4 8 o33 • I HORIZON BAY ILET/IltMENT www.horizonbay.corn 4 .N ID' Belgian Waffles "Best in the area" 4/ klii. • PEN 7 DAYS: MON.- SAT. 7 a.m.- 9:30 p.m. SUN. 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. li BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER , Bloomfield Plaza • 6638 Telegraph Road and Maple • 248-851-0313 www.thegalleryrestaurant2.com "211141111MPI.- e' -4"4111.1111L. Keep your company top of mind with our readers. ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 248.351.5107 Visit theJEW1SHNEWS.com 26 December 22 • 2011 Steve Stein Contributing Writer 56, are the league's elder statesmen. The Ruben brothers, who live in West Bloomfield, made up one-third of the he Matzo Bowl isn't the Super Team No. 3 roster along with fellow Bowl, but for the guys who West Bloomfield resident Zeitlin, joined play touch football in the by Steven Bell, Scott Farnick and Rocky Yiddish Football League, it might as Pemple from Commerce Township. well be. Bruce Ruben was the team's captain. The championship game of the Team No. 3, which calls itself the 22-year-old league is called the Matzo Mossad team after the international Bowl, and this season, Team No. 3 won intelligence agency of Israel, went 8-2 it, beating Team No. 1 9-6. That's nine during the regular season and beat two- touchdowns to six touchdowns, by the time defending Matzo Bowl champion way. Team No. 2 in the playoff semifinals. There was no storm of confetti Team No. 1 beat Team No. 4 in the other when the game ended, and the win- semifinal. ning team wasn't presented a trophy Only the top four teams make the on a huge stage. It won the tradi- playoffs. The semifinals are played the tional box of matzah. Lightly salted, of week before the Matzo Bowl. course. Game MVPs Bruce Ruben and Team No. 1 led the Matzo Bowl dur- David Zeitlin also didn't win a trophy, ing the first 60 minutes, but two defen- but they did each take home a box of sive stops by Team No. 3 helped it take chicken broth that goes to the MVPs. the lead, which it never relinquished. Birmingham Groves High School Team No. 3 had a rocky season in is the site of the league's games. 2010 following the loss of legendary They're played Sunday mornings league quarterback Kevin Granader, from September through December a former Ohio State University base- on grassy (sometimes muddy) fields, ball player who moved to California and at times on the turf field used by because of a job opportunity. Groves football teams, usually late in The lawyer led Team No. 3 to three the season when the weather isn't so Matzo Bowl championships in seven great. years before his departure. But he may The weather often hasn't been great be winning more boxes of matzahs. for the Matzo Bowl, played on the first "We heard Kevin might be coming Sunday in December. It isn't unusual back:' Bruce Ruben said. "That would for snow blowers to be brought in to be great because our quarterback remove snow from the field. [Zeitlin] probably will have to retire Games last for 90 minutes, run- because of injuries." ning time, with no halftime or quarter Bruce Ruben, a physician, said he breaks. The field is 50 yards long, with loves playing in the league because end zones that are 10 yards deep, and 20 "it's the focus of my recreational life' yards are needed to pick up a first down. Before the start of each season, he goes There are no referees. Calls are made through a rigorous training regimen at on the honor system, "and the guys are West Bloomfield High School. extremely honorable Ruben said. "I have to get this old body in shape Six teams of six players compete for the season:' he said. "Two years ago, each fall. While there is some player I ran a 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds. My turnover, league commissioner Bob dream is to catch a pass for the Detroit Goldsmith does his best to keep the Lions someday." teams competitive, and he writes a That would be a step back from weekly newsletter that focuses on winning the Matzo Bowl, but quite an league results and other happenings. accomplishment nonetheless. Players are in their 20s through 50s. Ruben, 53, and his brother Marc Ruben, Send news to sports@thejewishnews.com . T