2026 NATHAN H. KAUFMAN AWARDEES
Every year, the Western PA Jewish Sports Hall of Fame proudly celebrates the remarkable achievements of outstanding Jewish high school seniors from across the region, honoring their dedication and excellence in both athletics and academics. This prestigious event shines a spotlight on students from numerous schools throughout Western Pennsylvania, highlighting their hard work and commitment to success.
Since its inception in 1982, the Western PA Jewish Sports Hall of Fame has made a profound impact by recognizing the extraordinary talents of Jewish athletes. The proceeds from the annual banquet are reinvested into local youth-related athletic programs in Western Pennsylvania and Israel, fostering a vibrant sports culture and empowering the next generation. These invaluable funds have supported organizations such as Pittsburgh Youth Leadership, Community Day School, Emma Kaufmann Camp, Hillel, various initiatives at the Jewish Community Center, Squirrel Hill Baseball, JCC Maccabi Games Delegation, the Empowerment Through Sports Program at Kibbutz Eshbal in Misgav, Israel, Special Olympics, and PACE School.
This event is not just a ceremony; it is a celebration of these young athletes’ incredible accomplishments, recognizing their triumphs both on the field and in the classroom. The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is honored to uplift and celebrate the next generation of Jewish sporting excellence, while forging connections with Jewish athletes around the globe. As we unveil the honorees for 2026, our excitement for the incoming class of 2027 knows no bounds!
“The Western Pennsylvania Jewish Sports Hall of Fame does amazing things every year; it’s truly special,” says Board member Alan Mallinger. “What truly makes the banquet stand out is witnessing these student-athletes receive the recognition they deserve and seeing their excitement radiate. It creates a powerful sense of community that inspires us all.”
Jonathan Balk is a four-year soccer player who has started three seasons for his high school, anchoring the team through deep postseason runs. During his tenure, his squad captured a WPIAL championship in 2022, reached the PIAA state final that same year, won section titles in 2022, 2024, and 2025, and advanced to both the WPIAL semifinals and PIAA quarterfinals in 2025. Outside of school, he has competed at a high level with Steel City FC’s Premier Team from 2021 to 2025 and has been a key figure in the WT Entrepreneurship Club as its co-founder and president. Jonathan’s soccer journey is also international, having played for Team USA Boys U18 Futsal at the European Youth Games in London in 2024 and serving as selected captain for Team USA Boys U19 Futsal at the Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2026, while also representing Pittsburgh in multiple JCC Maccabi soccer delegations and gaining work experience as a camp counselor and warehouseman.
Zachary Balk has been a key contributor to Winchester Thurston’s soccer program, competing for three years and earning a varsity starting role during his career. He helped lead the Bears to back-to-back section championships in 2024 and 2025, while the team advanced to the WPIAL Class 1A semifinals and the PIAA state quarterfinals in 2025. Balk’s success reflects his dedication, leadership, and ability to perform at a high level in one of the state’s most competitive soccer environments, making him an integral part of Winchester Thurston’s recent postseason success.
Tyler Bowden is a multi-sport athlete at Upper St. Clair High School whose primary sport is ultimate frisbee, which he has played for four years and started for three at the high school level. He led his team as a three-year captain and helped win both the winter and spring city championships as a freshman, also qualifying for the Pennsylvania high school state championships in that first season. Beyond school competition, Tyler has competed with the Pittsburgh Impulse club team and reached USA Ultimate Club Nationals, further demonstrating his commitment to the sport. He also ran track for one year, rounding out his athletic profile with additional endurance and speed work.
Eli Coffey is an accomplished multi-sport athlete whose primary impact has come in cross country and track and field. He is a four-time varsity letterman and two-time varsity captain in cross country from 2022–2025, leading his team to four PIAA District 8 team titles while earning two individual District 8 runner-up finishes, a PIAA state meet appearance, and multiple District 8, 9, 10 individual qualifications, capped by one District 8, 9, 10 team championship and a 5000m personal best of 16:22. On the track, Eli is a three-time varsity letterman and one-time captain, helping secure three PIAA District 8 team championships and claiming two District 8 titles in the 3200m, two runner-up finishes in the 1600m, and two trips to the PIAA State Championships, with personal bests of 4:38 in the 1600m and 10:05 in the 3200m and recognition as a 2025 Milesplit All-City (Pittsburgh) Second Team selection in the 1600/3200m. He is also a decorated JCC Maccabi Games athlete, earning four gold medals in the 1500m, 3000m, 4x400m, and sprint medley relay, one silver medal in the mixed 4x400m, and a Midot Medal in 2025. In addition, Eli contributed on the basketball court as a member of teams that won two PIAA District 8 championships, competed in the JCC Maccabi Games from 2022–2024, captured a silver medal in 5v5 basketball in 2023, and was honored with the JCC Pittsburgh Alan Mallinger Rachmanus Award in 2024.
Zachary Coffey has distinguished himself as a three-sport athlete at Taylor Allderdice, excelling in basketball, cross country, and track and field. A four-year basketball player with two years on the varsity squad, Coffey helped lead the Dragons to three consecutive City League championships from 2022–23 through 2024–25. He also contributed to back-to-back City League cross country championship teams and represented his community at the JCC Maccabi Games, earning silver medals in both 5-on-5 basketball (2023) and 3-on-3 basketball (2022). His versatility, competitive drive, and commitment to team success have made him a standout student-athlete throughout his high school career.
Geneva Eisinger is a four-year softball standout, starting every season for her high school and emerging as a versatile leader on the field. She began as a second-team all-section center fielder in her freshman year before transitioning to starting catcher for the next three seasons at her coach’s request, helping her team reach the playoffs as a freshman. Recognized as team captain in both her junior and senior years, Geneva earned a Most Improved Award and continued to showcase her talent at a wider level by medaling in softball for Team Pittsburgh at the 2025 Maccabi Games. Her athletic success is paired with strong academic achievements and extensive community engagement, including work in a metallurgical quality lab, lobbying for women’s rights and against antisemitism through L’Taken, and volunteering as a camp counselor and Miracle League volunteer.
Maya Gelman is a high level volleyball athlete for Mt. Lebanon High School and club programs, competing as a middle and pin hitter across both school and national travel teams. She played JV volleyball in ninth and tenth grade before earning a varsity spot and letter in her junior and senior seasons, where she helped lead warmups, mentored younger players, and fostered strong team cohesion. Beyond school, Maya trained year-round with Pitt Elite and Renaissance club volleyball programs, competing at regional and national tournaments, and was selected to represent Team USA on the U18 Girls Volleyball Team at the Maccabiah Games, one of the world’s largest international sporting events.
Yonah Itskowitz is a two-sport athlete at Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh, starring in basketball for four years and baseball for three during his high school career. As a basketball starter, he helped lead Hillel to the WPIAL playoffs and the prestigious Sarachek playoff games, while on the diamond his team finished first in its tier at the CBI baseball tournament in consecutive seasons. Individually, Yonah has been recognized as MVP at the Tanzman Basketball Tournament in Detroit and earned weekly MVP honors in HoopGroup, a Pittsburgh city basketball league, underscoring his impact as a high-level competitor. Off the court, he extends his passion for sports into community work by running a basketball camp, training younger players weekly, playing for the Greater Pittsburgh JCC at the 2024 Maccabi Games, working at Camp Stone and Milky Way, and even coaching Hillel’s Middle School Boys basketball team.
Grant Karstetter is a dedicated soccer player at Gateway Senior High School, where he has competed in boys soccer for four years and started for two at the varsity level. A four-year varsity letterman and team captain, Grant led Gateway to playoff appearances in his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons and helped the squad earn a second-place finish in a local high school tournament during offseason play. His commitment to the sport extends beyond school as captain of multiple club teams, including Monroeville Soccer Club’s U19 cup team and BVB Dortmund cup soccer, with tournament wins such as the Hempfield Classic and a spring 2023 title. Grant’s leadership in soccer complements his academic excellence, where he ranks first in his class and balances competitive athletics with National Honor Society work and community service like Special Olympics and Creek Connections.
Marissa Klein is a committed field hockey standout for Upper St. Clair High School, competing in the program for four years after beginning her high school athletic journey in ninth grade. She also played two years of club volleyball, broadening her competitive experience and skill set. On the field hockey team, Marissa served as JV captain during her sophomore year, helped lead her team to playoff appearances in both her sophomore and senior seasons, and finished her career as a varsity captain and two-time varsity letterwinner.
Azi Knoll has been a four-year mainstay of the Hillel Heat basketball program, known for his relentless tenacity, high-usage presence on the floor, and sharp awareness of every aspect of the game, including the officials. As a starter, he helped lead Hillel to a runners-up finish in Tier 3 of the Red Sarachek basketball tournament, cementing the team’s status as a rising force on the national Jewish high school stage. Drawing on that experience, he has consistently been a central figure in Hillel’s backcourt, setting the tone with his competitiveness and leadership throughout each season.
Gabriella Kunzman is a multi-sport athlete at Taylor Allderdice High School, competing in cross country, basketball, and track over the course of her high school career. She ran cross country for four years with three years on varsity, played one year of basketball as a starter, and competed in track for four years with three varsity seasons. On the track, she is twice a city champion in the 3200 meters and a state qualifier in both the 3200 and 1600, while also contributing to Allderdice’s track and cross country teams winning city championships four times.
Peyton Kushon is a four-year varsity soccer starter at Deer Lakes High School, where he has been a central figure in the program from his freshman season onward. As a leader on the pitch, he served as varsity captain and helped guide Deer Lakes to WPIAL 2A soccer championships in both 2022 and 2026, earning four consecutive 2A All-Section selections and All-WPIAL honors as a sophomore, junior, and senior. Peyton’s club accomplishments include being named the 2023 Pgh Hotspurs 2007 Boys Classic Player of the Year and contributing to multiple tournament titles, including PA West Open Tournament U18 champions, Thiel Christmas Tournament, Latrobe Futsal, Beach Blast U18, PA West President’s Cup, and Freeport Futsal, while also being recognized multiple times as Deer Lakes Athlete of the Month.
Brayden Lewinter is a four-year ice hockey player for Pittsburgh Central Catholic, where he has started all four seasons and helped his team reach the PIHL junior varsity playoffs in 2023, 2024, and 2025, with varsity playoff results pending for 2026. Alongside his athletic career, he is set to continue playing club ice hockey while studying Business in the Honors College at Kent State University beginning in fall 2026, and he has also represented Pittsburgh in JCC Maccabi Games ice hockey delegations in 2023 (Fort Lauderdale), 2024 (Detroit), and 2025 (Pittsburgh), as well as participating in youth programming such as C-Teen U.
Daphne Macedonia is a four-year starter for the Winchester Thurston High School softball program, anchoring the team throughout her entire high school career. Her leadership and consistency helped guide her team to a strong showing at the 2025 Maccabi Games, where they earned a third-place finish on the international stage. Known for her reliability and competitive drive, Daphne has been a central presence on the field, contributing both defensively and offensively while representing her school and community with pride.
Olivia Marcovitz is a versatile three-sport athlete for Mt. Lebanon High School, starring in field hockey, track and field, and slowpitch softball. As a field hockey goalkeeper, she helped her team reach the playoffs in all four of her seasons and advanced to the WPIAL championship game as a junior, earning all-section WPIAL honors as a sophomore and again as a senior. In track and field, Olivia contributed to a girls team that has won the section title every year of her high school career and qualified for WPIAL championships during her freshman and sophomore seasons, while in slowpitch softball she helped secure overall section titles from her freshman through junior years, served as team captain as a junior and senior, and led the team in every offensive statistic.
Sima Reinherz is a standout multi-sport athlete whose impact has come on the basketball court and in cross country. During the 2024–25 season, she was named to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Athletic Association All-Western Conference Basketball Team, helping lead Hillel Academy’s girls varsity squad to the first playoff berth in school history. The following year, she captained the team and guided it to its first-ever playoff win in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Athletic Association, further cementing her legacy as a program-changing leader. Sima’s strong tournament play was also recognized when she was named to the all-tournament team at Geibel Catholic’s 2025 Winter Classic. Beyond basketball, she is known as a fearless hurdler and served as captain of the cross country team during her senior year, showcasing her toughness, versatility, and year-round commitment to competition.
Ellie Simons is a standout girls volleyball player for Upper St. Clair High School, where she competed for four seasons and earned a starting role for three of those years. Her impact on the court has been recognized with multiple honors, including First Team All Section, First Team Big 56, and Third Team All WPIAL in 2025. She also helped lead her team to a third-place finish in the WPIAL playoffs in 2024, demonstrating her ability to perform at a high level in both regular season and postseason competition.
Lilly Simons is a dedicated girls golf athlete for Upper Saint Clair High School, where she competed for four years and earned a starting role for two seasons. She captured first place at the St. Clair Country Club Junior Championship in 2024 and was recognized as a WPIAL regional player in 2025, reflecting her strong individual performance in competitive play. As captain of the Upper St. Clair girls golf team in 2025, Lilly combined her skill and leadership to guide her teammates through high-level competition and represent her program with distinction.
Akiva Sunshine has been a consistent presence in their school’s running program, holding starting roles in both track and cross country during high school. They were a track starter for four years, showing sustained involvement and responsibility on the team over their entire high school career. In addition, they started for two years in cross country, contributing regularly in that sport as well. Taken together, these roles reflect a long-term commitment to running and to representing their school in competition.
Sylvia Svoboda is a multi-sport athlete at Taylor Allderdice High School, competing in cross country, swimming, and lacrosse over the course of her high school career. She ran cross country and swam for four years each and played lacrosse for three years, contributing to Allderdice teams that captured city championships in both cross country and swimming in all four of her seasons. In addition to her team success, Sylvia earned a “most improved” individual award during her freshman swim season, highlighting her rapid development and dedication in the pool.
Samuel Tobias is a standout multi-sport athlete at Pittsburgh Allderdice High School, excelling in swimming, cross country, and track. As a four-year varsity swimmer, he served as team captain in both his junior and senior seasons, led an undefeated squad in his final year, and qualified for the PIAA state championships in four events as a junior while earning multiple District 8 city titles and medals in the 100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard individual medley, and relays. Samuel also ran cross country for four years—rising from JV to a varsity co-captain and multiple-time 5k medalist—while helping Allderdice capture District 8 city championships each season, and competed on the track team as a varsity invitational qualifier, rounding out a rigorous year-round training and competition schedule.
Abby Weinstein is a standout distance runner at Winchester Thurston School, competing in cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field for four years, and starting all four seasons in each sport while serving as captain for two years. In cross country, she has placed in the top 25 at the A Cross Country State Championship in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including a seventh-place finish in 2025, and has consistently finished in the top 10 at the PIAA District 7 WPIAL Championships with a best of third place in 2024 and 2025. On the track, Abby qualified for the AA Outdoor Track and Field State Championship in 2023, 2024, and 2025, medaling in the 4×800 relay (seventh in 2023 and fourth in 2025) and the 1600 (eighth in 2025), and earning multiple WPIAL medals in the 1600, 3200, and 4×800. She has helped her team to third-place finishes at the A Cross Country State Championship in 2024 and 2025 and to a WPIAL team title in 2022, while also setting school records in the cross country 5k and the outdoor 1600 and receiving a nomination for the WPIAL Positive Athlete Award in 2025.
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