The sold-out Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony & Dinner, held Thursday night at the Mandell JCC in West Hartford, celebrated community legends. 

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The Mandell Jewish Community Center (JCC) and the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford (JHSGH) proudly announced that Thursday night’s Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony & Dinner officially sold out. After a hiatus of more than 20 years, this much-anticipated event celebrated the outstanding achievements of 12 remarkable individuals, alongside 86 past inductees whose contributions have left a lasting mark on the Greater Hartford community.

The Hall of Fame, first established in 1982, honors athletes, coaches, and contributors to the local sports scene, spotlighting not only their physical prowess but also their dedication to mentoring, community building, and cultural connection. The event marks a significant milestone, with both organizations coming together to recognize and revitalize this cherished tradition.

The ceremony honored four new high school senior athletes from West Hartford – Ellie Goldstein, Simon Levy, Isaac Mahler, and Adam Merritt – along with 12 adults: four athletes, Bonnie Hittleman-Lewis, Toby Schuman, Robert Simons (posthumously) and Sheri Slobin Shea; two coaches, Jon Cohn and James Solomon; two owners, Coleman Levy and Bruce Mandell; a community organizer, Ronit Shoham; a professional competitor, Ari Klau; a Special Olympian, Keith Lapuki; and a community recreation “Pied Piper,” Thai Tran.

These athletes and community leaders have left a lasting impact on both local and national sports. To learn more about all of tonight’s honorees, visit the Mandell JCC’s and Jewish Historical Society’s websites, where their full profiles are displayed.

David Jacobs, President & CEO of the Mandell JCC, expressed his excitement. “It gives us great pleasure to welcome you to the Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony and Dinner to acknowledge and applaud the accomplishments of twelve very special honorees. This event is not just a celebration of sports but a reflection on our shared history and the incredible individuals who have bridged generations through their talent, commitment, and love for the game.”

Beth Rose, Executive Director of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford, added, “Partnering with the Mandell JCC for this event means a great deal to us. As we reflect on more than 40 years of honoring our athletes, tonight we recognize individuals who have used sports to strengthen social ties and build a legacy within and beyond the Jewish community. We’re proud to celebrate these inductees and continue telling their inspiring stories through our archives and online displays.”

This year’s Hall of Fame inductees come from a wide range of backgrounds and sports, but they all share a passion for sportsmanship, leadership, and community involvement. Their achievements, whether through their athletic prowess or contributions to the greater sports community, will be honored tonight in front of a sold-out audience. Among the special guests attending were U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, and the evening’s keynote speaker Seth Greenberg, ESPN Broadcaster and Analyst.

Leading this effort are Steven M. Greenspan, Chair of the Mandell JCC Board, and Michael Fishman, President of the Jewish Historical Society Board, whose leadership has been instrumental in bringing this event to life. The 2024 Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony and Dinner is the culmination of months of preparation and support from dedicated staff, volunteers, and generous sponsors. A commemorative plaque will also be displayed at the Mandell JCC, with inductee profiles available online through the Jewish Historical Society’s website.

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