sports » When you choose a cardiologist, you’re also choosing a hospital. When you place your heart health in the hands of Marc Brodsky, M.D., at the new Ministrelli Heart Center, you have more than a highly qualified physician. You have all the resources of Beaumont Health standing behind him. Weightlifter Jeff Ellis says he’s pain-free after having to take three months off because of shoulder problems. Swimmer Jim Berk has qualified for the 2017 National Senior Games in three events. Senior Stars Steve Stein | Contributing Writer Ministrelli Heart Center T 6900 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 106 West Bloomfield, MI 48322 248-788-HART (248-788-4278) 2126940 YOU AR E I NVI T E D The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur FREE OBSERVANCES ALL WELCOME (DONATIONS APPRECIATED) Meaningful Cultural/Secular Approach Music, Singing & Readings Stefan Kukurugya, pianist Daniella HarPaz Mechnikov, vocalist Mondry Building, 15000 West Ten Mile Rd, Oak Park, MI 48237 on the Jewish Community Center Campus Rosh Hashanah Monday, October 3, 10 a.m. Yom Kippur Wednesday, October 12, 10 a.m. For more information contact: micircle1@gmail.com YOU MAY BRING FOOD FOR YAD EZRA THE WORKMEN’S CIRCLE/ARBETER RING Dedicated to Jewish Community, Jewish/Yiddish Culture & Social Justice PO Box 20985, Ferndale, MI 48220-0985 2123380 140 September 29 • 2016 wo of the state’s top senior ath- letes have added to their medal collection. Weightlifter Jeff Ellis, 57, of West Bloomfield won a Michigan Senior Olympics gold medal in the age 55-59 198-pound division last month with a 300-pound bench press. Swimmer Jim Berk, 62, of West Bloomfield won a gold medal in the 200-yard breaststroke and silver med- als in the 50 and 100 breaststroke in the age 60-64 division, also at the Michigan Senior Olympics. The weightlifting competition was held at the Rochester Athletic Club and swimming events were held at Oakland University. It was the first competition for Ellis since he was sidelined for three months because of what he called multiple issues with his right shoulder. Physical therapy and a steroid injec- tion allowed Ellis to begin working out again in March, and it took him three months to return to form. For a short time, it appeared Ellis’ competitive weightlifting days could be over. “When I first saw my doctor in December, he suggested I have an MRI and told me I might need shoul- der replacement surgery,” he said. “Thankfully, that didn’t happen and my goal was to compete again. “I feel I’m 100 percent now. I’m doing all my workouts. I lift weights twice a week, and I’ve missed only once since March because my elbow was bothering me. I’m back!” Ellis qualified to compete in the American Powerlifting Federation national competition in May in Chicago, but he had to drop out because he was still recovering from his injuries. He hopes to qualify for the 2017 nationals and compete there for the first time. The colon cancer survivor and certi- fied public accountant holds Michigan Senior Olympics and APF bench press state records for his age group with lifts of 320 and 286 pounds, respectively. He set the Michigan Senior Olympics state record in 2014 and the APF state record last year. Ellis has won 11 gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal in Michigan Senior Olympics weightlifting since he began competing in 2009. Berk won a silver medal in the 100 breaststroke at the 2015 National Senior Games in Minneapolis, Minn. His time was 1:22.02. He also competed in the 50 breaststroke at nationals and finished sixth (:37.21). He’s qualified to compete in the 50, 100 and 200 breaststroke in the 2017 National Senior Games in June in Birmingham, Ala., thanks to his victory in the 200 (3:10.61) and silver medals in the 50 (:37.59) and 100 (1:23.89) last month at the Michigan Senior Olympics. “I don’t know if I’ll compete in all three events at nationals. It depends on my schedule and when the events will be held,” said Berk, a personal trainer and exercise teacher. He feels his best shot at success at the nationals will be in the longer races. “I’m shorter than most of my competi- tors, which puts me at a disadvantage in the 50,” said Berk, who is 5-foot-5. Berk is happy he qualified for nation- als in the 200. He didn’t try to qualify for the 2015 National Senior Games in that event at the 2014 Michigan Senior Olympics, and he thinks he would have had a great shot at winning the gold medal in Minneapolis. He won the 50 and 100 at the 2014 Michigan Senior Olympics. * Send sports news to stevestein502004@yahoo.com.