Chabad Repeats Championship Day
with Tefillin & Basketball at JCC
Last year when the David Posnack Jewish Community Center in Davie announced it would host its 1st annual Synagogue Basketball Tournament, few expected Chabad to field a team, much less take home the championship trophy!
Needless to say, this past Sunday Chabad was the team to beat as they sought to repeat as champions.
Joined by members of his congregation sporting Chabad jerseys, SW Broward's Rabbi Pinny Andrusier showed up once again to challenge the seven other synagogues signed up for the second annual tournament.
As the crowd milled about the JCC to celebrate Israel Independence Day and made its way to the gym, Rabbi Aryeh Schwartz wrapped Tefilin - the black leather boxes which males over the age of 13 are requiring to don daily on the head and near the heart to express one's love for G‑d and recognition of His Oneness.
The players from each synagogue took to the courts as men, women and children filled the stands to cheer for their respective congregation.
In their first seeded game versus a much younger and more athletic Shaarei Kodesh, a conservative congregation from Boca Raton, Chabad suffered a 12 point loss. However, Chabad regrouped and handily defeated temples Kol Ami of Plantation and Beth Emet of Cooper City to make the semi-finals.
Chabad’s sound victory over semi-final opponent Young Israel of Aventura allowed them to advance to the finals and face a rematch with Shaarei Kodesh who edged Temple Dor Dorim of Weston in their semi-final showdown.
To counter Sharei Kodesh’s athleticism and brilliant outside shooting displayed in their first meeting, Chabad switched to a 3-2 zone defense. The new strategy visibly frustrated Shaarei Kodesh, as the young team’s 3 point shooting faltered and their attempt to drive inside the paint was ineffective due to Chabad’s stifling defense.
Chabad took the early lead and held on till the final buzzer sounded. JCC Athletic Director Frederico Brodsky then presented the Chabad squad for the second year in a row with the giant championship trophy.
In addition to Rabbi Pinny and his brother Shmuly, starring for Chabad were Larry Cohen, Barry and Jared Klein, Keith Levine, Eli Lipnik, Josh Rosa and Eric Weinsier.
"People often think Judaism and sports cannot mix," said Rabbi Pinny. “Sports is kosher but show sportsmanship and instead of skipping Saturday services for a ballgame, play on Sunday or during the week. Most important, don’t forget to put on Tefillin before you play. It’s the secret formula that has helped Chabad win two years in a row.”