26 | JANUARY 7 • 2021 

Rapid City Rush defenseman 

Eric Israel (6) keeps a Utah 

Grizzlies player away from the 

net during a Dec. 12 game.

RAPID CITY RUSH

When they’re in Rapid 
City, Rush players must 
spend most of their time in 
their apartment. They go to 
the rink, a Walmart for gro-
ceries, and get carryout and 
curbside from restaurants.
Masks must be worn by 
Rush players during team 
activities except when play-
ing, practicing, working out 
or showering.
Israel said no Rush player 
is complaining about the 
restrictions.
“We all lost our job nine 
months ago,” he said. “We’re 
happy to be back doing what 
we love. And getting paid for 
it. Not millions, but it pays 
the bills.”
Nobody plays professional 
hockey forever, and Israel is 
already thinking about his 
post-hockey life.
A sports management 
major at Robert Morris, 
Israel at one time thought 
seriously about trying to be 
a college hockey coach. Now 
he’s seriously thinking about 
joining his family’s business.
The business is Southfield-
based Great Lakes Hotel 
Supply Company, a supplier 
and installer of commercial 

kitchens. Israel’s father, Marc 
Israel, is a third-generation 
owner of the business, which 
was founded in 1933.
Mary Jo Israel, Eric Israel’s 
mother, is a former long-
time member of the Berkley 
School Board (2008-20) who 
did not run for reelection 
last month.
Eric Israel went to Berkley 
schools from K-12, attending 
Burton Elementary School, 
Norup Middle School and 
Berkley High School, where 
he’s on the Wall of Fame in 
athletics for golf.
His sister Jaclyn Israel, 
28, in her fourth and 
final year in the Michigan 
State University College 
of Osteopathic Medicine, 
is a future family physi-
cian who was named the 
2020 Outstanding Medical 
Student in Michigan in 
August by the Michigan 
Academy of Family 
Physicians.
Adam Israel, 24, Eric 
Israel’s brother, lives in 
Wisconsin and works for the 
family business.
Jaclyn Israel and Adam 
Israel also are Berkley High 
School grads. 

SPORTS

continued from page 25

CIS MAISEL CENTER FOR JUDAIC STUDIES 
 
AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

presents

DESPAIR IS 
NOT JEWISH!

Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg 
Rabbi Emeritus, Shir Tikvah

JANUARY 13

7 p.m.

Virtual via Zoom

oakland.edu/religiousstudies/cis-maisel-center

cas22894/12.20

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

Presents

visit nicelytheatre.org

Tickets are just $15 per household for 65 minutes of family-friendly

virtual entertainment. Disenchanted!, through song and dance,

revisits all your favorite princesses to find out what happens after

happily every after! This is not a Zoom-style production; it was

filmed safely on stage at The Berman Theatre.

For all the details and links to buy tickets and gift certificates,

January 15-29, 2021

