54 | NOVEMBER 7 • 2024 J
N
Looking Back
From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History
accessible at thejewishnews.com
Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation
I
recently had a very nice chat with Don Rudick, the
executive director of the Michigan Jewish Sports
Foundation. We discussed some of the Foundation’s
work, especially its signature event, the Michigan Jewish
Sports Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony and
dinner. This year’s event was held Oct. 29.
This year is the 40th anniversary of the
inaugural dinner when the first inductees
were installed into the Jewish Sports Hall
of Fame. Due to a two-year hiatus during
the worst days of COVID, this year’s event
was actually the 38th induction ceremony
and dinner. The Foundation itself is 41
years old.
Although the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall
of Fame is one of the Foundation’s highest profile programs,
it does not stand alone. The Foundation also sponsors
the popular Hank Greenberg Memorial Golf, Tennis and
Pickleball Invitational every year at the Franklin Hill Country
Club, which is a benefit for charity, and the Dr. Steve (z”l) and
Evelyn Rosen “Stars of Tomorrow” Scholarship Program. The
Foundation also supports the Mathews Sports Exhibit at the
Jewish Community Center, among other programs.
Our favorite program at the Jewish News is the annual JN
High School Athlete of the Year. Since 1991, we have been
proud partners with the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation for
this award. The Jewish News outstanding athletes for this year
are Cami Katzen (basketball and tennis), who is now enrolled
at the University of Kansas; Aaron Rose (tennis), now at the
University of Michigan, and Ryan Rose (tennis and golf), also
at U-M.
BTW — The first High School Athletes of the Year were Ed
Wolkind and Heather Davis.
To its credit, the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation has
always recognized outstanding young women as well as young
men athletes.
Many High School Athletes of the Year awardees have also
achieved success after their high school sports exploits. For
example, I found names like Storm Kirschenbaum, who has
represented professional athletes for two decades, and Matt
Ishbia, the current CEO and Chairman of United Wholesale
Mortgage.
I decided to do a deep research cruise into the William
Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History
regarding the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation. I was not
disappointed. There are 638 pages in the Archive that cite the
Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of
Fame, and 157 pages with stories
about the JN High School Athlete
of the Year.
Moreover, it should be noted
that another “all-star” has been
writing about Jewish sports
in Metro Detroit since the
establishment of the Michigan
Jewish Sports Foundation. I’m
speaking about the JN’s own
sportswriter, Steve Stein.
Steve has been writing about
the Michigan Jewish Sports
Foundation Hall of Famers and JN
High School Athletes of the Year
for many years. For a sample of
his work, see “BIG Honor” about
A.J. Roberts, who was “shocked
to learn” that she was a 2006 JN
Athlete of the year (Aug. 17, 2006,
JN). Likewise, see “Shining Star”
about Eliza Brown; or “Terrific Trio of Girls” about Elle
Hartje, Mikaela Schultz and Dani Wolfe (Oct. 27, 2000; Oct.
13, 2016; Sept. 26, 2019). These are just a few of Steve’s good
reads.
Mazel tov to the 2024 JN Athletes of the Year and Michigan
Jewish Sports Hall of Famers!
Want to learn more? Go to the DJN archives, available for free at
thejewishnews.com.
Mike Smith
Alene and
Graham Landau
Archivist Chair