NOVEMBER 10 • 2022 | 15

O

ct. 12 was an
exciting day at Hillel
Day School as the
boys’ soccer team enjoyed its
first home game of the season
on the new Sue and Alan J.
Kaufman Field. The beautiful
day saw many parents, fans
and supporters celebrating
the state-of-the-art synthetic
field. The field is multi-use,
enhances competitiveness,
improves safety and allows
consistent access for all
students regardless of
inclement weather.
After playing in the first
home game on the new field,
eighth-grade player Kobi
Schmeltz shared, “It was
great being able to play on a

field without having to worry
about holes. It also drains
quickly, so we were able to
play right after it rained
without it being wet, and we
won’t have to worry about
the field being torn up at the
end of the season.”
The running track also
had a “soft opening” for the
school’s cross-country team
on Oct. 12.
As for the remainder of the
$3 million athletic complex
enhancements, asphalt has
been poured on the Pogoda
Family Sport Courts and will
soon be lined with acrylic
to mark them for basketball,
pickleball, volleyball, floor
hockey, four-square and
other gross-motor sports.
The complex also will
include the Steven R.
Weisberg Courtyard that will
feature communal gathering
spaces, outdoor chess tables
and more, the Goldhaber
and Glass Gaga Pit, and the
Linden and Schostak Storage
Barn.
The school will celebrate
the new space with a ribbon-
cutting event this spring to
show gratitude that Hillel
students of all ages will
enjoy more time outdoors
for physical education,
outdoor learning activities,
recess, intramurals and
interscholastic play.

Hillel Day School soccer team breaks in new field,
part of $3 million athletic complex enhancements.
Field of Dreams

AMY SAPEIKA SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

COURTESY OF HILLEL DAY SCHOOL

Hillel alumni came to cheer at the first soccer game
on the new field with Head of School Dr. Darin Katz.

Hillel Day School’s
new Sue and Alan
J. Kaufman Field.

The state-of-the-art
synthetic field allows
access, regardless of
inclement weather.

Hillel’s
soccer team