Four West Hartford teens have been selected as recipients of the Dr. Morris Cohen Youth Sports Award.

Submitted

The Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame proudly announces four exceptional West Hartford high school seniors as recipients of the Dr. Morris Cohen Youth Sports Award.

Ellie Goldstein. Courtesy photo

The class of 2024 youth inductees exemplify the spirit of excellence and dedication. Ellie Goldstein of Hall High School stands out for her remarkable achievements in field hockey, including scoring 100 career goals and earning national recognition. Her leadership and energy have made her a key player, recognized as First Team All-State, All-Conference, and All-Academic. Ellie committed to play Division I field hockey at the University of Maryland in her junior year of high school and will play for the Terps this fall.

Simon Levy. Courtesy photo

Simon Levy, also from Hall High School, has made a significant impact in football. A four-year member of the football team, Simon was elected Captain for the 2023 season. He was a starting linebacker and long snapper, earning All-Academic Conference Football Team honors for three consecutive years. This fall, he will play Division 3 football for John Hopkins University.

Isaac Mahler. Courtesy photo

Isaac Mahler, another Hall High School athlete, has excelled as a distance runner at both state and national levels. He was the Connecticut State Open Champion in the 3200m and the New England Championship runner-up in Cross Country. Isaac will continue to run competitively after high school as a member of the Division I Men’s Cross Country and Track Teams at Boston University this fall.

Adam Merritt. Courtesy photo

Adam Merritt from Kingswood Oxford is celebrated for his baseball prowess. Adam earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Founders League and NEPSAC Honorable Mention. Adam recently pitched his first game as part of the New Britain Bees and earned the win. He will be pitching for the Division I University of Massachusetts baseball team next year.

Adding a special touch to the ceremony, Amy Myerson, recipient of the Dr. Morris Cohen Youth Athletic Award in 1989, presented the awards to the 2024 class of youth inductees. Amy, an elite gymnast who represented the U.S. at the Junior Pan Am Games in 1988 as the top-ranking female gymnast and placed second overall at the Maccabiah Chicago Games in 1988, has left an indelible mark on the Hall of Fame’s history. Her presence underscored the legacy of excellence and the continuing tradition of honoring outstanding young athletes.

“We are thrilled to honor Ellie, Simon, Isaac, and Adam for their outstanding athletic achievements and their positive impact on our community,” said Steven Greenspan, Chair of the Mandell JCC Board. “These young athletes exemplify the values that the Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame seeks to celebrate.”

These youth awards are part of a broader, joint effort this year by the Mandell JCC and the Hartford Jewish Historical Society to relaunch the Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame – which began in 1982 and had inducted 86 sports figures and 43 student athletes by 2002.  Leading this effort are Steven M. Greenspan, Chair of the Mandell JCC Board, and Michael Fishman, President of the Jewish Historical Society Board. In addition to the four youth award recipients, twelve adults will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sept. 26, 2024.  This year’s inductees represent a diverse array of accomplishments and contributions to their sports and communities. Among them are leaders, athletes, coaches, and contributors who have significantly impacted Hartford’s sports scene.

The Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame awards ceremony and dinner on September 26, 2024, will bring together community members and supporters to celebrate these remarkable individuals. Sponsorship opportunities are available, with proceeds benefiting the archives at the Jewish Historical Society, sports programs at the JCC, and youth sports initiatives in Israel.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities or to attend the ceremony, please visit https://birdease.com/HartfordJewishSportsHOF or contact David Jacobs, Mandell JCC CEO & President at 860-231-6313 or [email protected].

To search the Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame inductee archives, visit https://jhsgh.org/events/jewish-sports-hall-of-fame-search/.

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