Celebrating Members of Cleveland’s 250 Notable Northeast Ohioans

From everyone at the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, we would like to congratulate our incredible inductees who were named by Cleveland Jewish News as one of 250 Notable Jewish Northeast Ohioans. The list, which celebrates America’s semiquincentennial, honors incredible athletes and sportspeople who have made a notable impact in the sports world. 

Benny Friedman

Benny Friedman was a pioneering quarterback who helped transform American football into a passing game. A son of Orthodox Jewish immigrants from Russia, Friedman starred in Cleveland, named All‑American at the University of Michigan and later entered the NFL. Proud of his Jewish identity, he shattered stereotypes about Jewish athletes and went on to lead the athletic department at Brandeis University, ultimately earning recognition as an inductee in both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

Sid Gillman

Sid Gillman became one of football’s most influential coaches, credited with revolutionizing the modern passing offense and helping shape what would later be known as the West Coast–style attack. A Jewish offensive mastermind whose innovations impacted both college and professional football, he carried his heritage with him while coaching the Los Angeles Rams and other teams, and his legacy flourishes as a top football mind.

Hank Greenberg

Hank Greenberg, known as “Hammerin’ Hank” was baseball’s first great Jewish superstar, a superstar slugger for the Detroit Tigers in the 1930s and 1940s. Playing in an era of rising antisemitism, he openly embraced his Jewish identity, famously sitting out games on Jewish holidays, and became the first Jewish player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, inspiring generations of Jewish fans and athletes.

Al Rosen

Al Rosen, a star third baseman for the Cleveland Indians in the 1950s, combined fierce competitiveness with incredible power that earned him four all star appearances, and 1953 American League MVP. Growing up as part of the only Jewish family in his neighborhood, Rosen often fought against antisemitic taunts, and his toughness and pride in being Jewish helped turn him into an icon who would later be inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. 

Steve Stone

Steve Stone, an American League Cy Young Award winner in 1980, and longtime broadcaster, built a reputation as one of the most accomplished Jewish pitchers in major league history after standout seasons with teams like the Baltimore Orioles. Born in Ohio to Orthodox Jewish parents, he has spoken about feeling part of a group of inspiring Jewish ballplayers, and his induction into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame underscores the significance of his achievements within the Jewish sporting community.

Omri Casspi

Omri Casspi, a versatile forward, made history as the first Israeli‑born player to reach the NBA, carving out a decade‑plus career with multiple teams while representing Israel on the global basketball stage. Raised in Israel and deeply connected to his Jewish and Israeli identity, he has used his platform to bring fellow players and celebrities to Israel through his foundation, strengthening cultural and Jewish ties even after his playing days.

Dezső Földes

Dezső Földes, born Dezső Grünfeld, was a Hungarian sabre fencer who won two Olympic team gold medals in 1908 and 1912 before emigrating to the United States. Coming from a Hungarian Jewish family and later becoming the only Hungarian‑Jewish Olympic champion to survive the Second World War, he carried his Jewish heritage into a new life in Cleveland, where he established a clinic serving the poor, blending athletic greatness with a deeply rooted sense of communal responsibility.

Jed Margolis, President of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

A native of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Jed Margolis dedicated more than 40 years to strengthening Jewish identity through athletics, including 17 years as Executive Director of Maccabi USA before retiring in 2017. Under his leadership, record numbers of American athletes participated in Maccabi competitions across Israel, Australia, Europe, and South America. At the St. Louis JCC, he founded the St. Louis Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, brought the JCC Maccabi Games to the community, and oversaw the opening of the Marilyn Fox JCC. He continues to serve the Jewish sports community as President of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, while remaining active with Maccabi USA, Maccabi World Union, and the Global Jewry Advisory Board. He also founded and co-chairs the Maccabi World Union CEO Forum, supporting Maccabi executive directors worldwide.