2017 IJSHOF HONOREES: (L-R) Lenny Silberman, Anthony Ervin, Jonathan Kaplan, Lee Korzits, Donna Orender, Arie Rosenzweig, Dr. Uri Schaefer, Anita Shkedi, Brian Teacher, David Schwartz (for Hy Buller), Victor Vaisman, Stephen Rubin, Joe Siegman, Arie Selinger, Amotz Bachar.
The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame inducted 13 honorees at quadrennial formal induction ceremonies July 4th at the IJSHOF Museum at Israel’s Wingate Institute. An estimated 400 invited guests, their family members and friends, and spectators viewed the proceedings, including a large number of IJSHOF Executive Board members, and Israeli sports VIPs.
Inducted were: Hy Buller (Ice Hockey), Semion Belits-Geiman (Swimming), Anthony Ervin (Swimming), Jonathan Kaplan (Rugby), Lee Korzits (Sailing), Donna Orender (Basketball/PGA), Arie Selinger (Volleyball), and Brian Teacher (tennis).
Also: Lifetime Achievement recipients: Dr. Uri Schaffer (Israel) and Victor Vaisman (Argentina), and, Chairman’s Award of Excellence recipients: Arie Rosenzweig (Israel), Anita Shkedi (Israel), and Lenny Silberman (USA).
Making the presentation of awards were: Stephen Rubin (ISJHOF Honorary Chairman), Joe Siegman (IJSHOF Founder), Yossi Sharabi (Dir. Gen. Ministry of Culture & Sport), and Wingate CEO Amotz Bachar. IJSHOF Executive Director Effi Yaacobi emceed the event.
Absent ISJHOF chairman Alan Sherman, unable to attend the event, addressed the gathering via video screen.
Lively entertainment was provided by Demente, Israel’s popular and unique musicians and dancers.
IJSHOF formal inductions are held every four years, usually a day or two prior to the Maccabiah Games opening ceremonies. Occasionally, the Hall of Fame will participate in regional induction events in an honoree’s local community.
The July 4th event was produced by Effi Yaacobi and Project Manager Sharon Talmor.
More photos from this special induction event are shown below.
AWARDS were presented by: (L-R) R. Stephen Rubin (IJSHOF Honorary Chairman), Amotz Bachar (Wingate CEO), Yossi Sharabi (Israel Ministry of Culture and Sport), Joe Siegman (IJSHOF Founder).
Master of Ceremonies, Effi Yaacobi.
Entertainment group Demente.
Honoree Donna Orender.
Olympic gold medallist Lenny Krazylburg accepts IJSHOF honors for Russian swimming gold medallist Semion Belits-Geiman.
Lee Korzits
Jonathan Kaplan
Arie Rosenzweig
Members of the Hy Buller family.
Arie Selinger
Anita Shkedi
Lenny Silberman
Brian Teacher
Dr. Uri Schaefer
Victor Vaisman
Anthony Ervin
Inductions event coordinator Sharon Talmor, center, is celebrated by HOF Executive Director Effi Yaacobi, left, and HOF Founder Joe Siegman.
