Celebrating the Pioneers of URJ 6 Points Sports Academy: A Hall of Fame Induction

This July, the Union for Reform Judaism's (URJ) 6 Points Sports Academy commemorated its fifteenth summer by inducting six dedicated individuals into its Hall of Fame. These exceptional lay leaders, faculty, staff, and supporters have played a vital role in shaping the camp into a premier Jewish sports institution in North America.

The ceremony took place on July 13 in Asheville, NC and honored the inductees for their tireless efforts to provide a space of belonging for young Jewish athletes in the summer. URJ 6 Points Specialty Camps Executive Director Rachel Handloff (she/her) expressed her pride in these visionaries: "Fifteen years ago, we set out to enrich and inspire the lives of campers and staff by strengthening Jewish identity and connection while teaching Jewish knowledge and values through sports. I am grateful to have this opportunity to honor those who have played integral roles in helping our camp become a center of expertise for young Jewish athletes."

The inductees included:

• Alan Ashkinazy (he/him), former professional baseball player and head baseball coach at URJ 6 Points since its founding.
• Elinor Josephson (she/her), former camp administrator and member of the URJ 6 Points Sports Advisory Committee.
• Rabbi Andy Koren (he/him), faculty member and former member of the URJ 6 Points Sports Advisory Committee.
• Gina Salemi (she/her), former camper and current head girl's lacrosse coach.
• Bernie Marcus, a supporter of URJ 6 Points Sports Academy through his charitable foundation.
• The Harold Grinspoon Foundation, represented by Dan Kirsch (he/him), has provided crucial support through matching grants and resources.

Rabbi Rick Jacobs (he/him), president of the URJ, praised the inductees for embodying Reform Jewish values, citing how their dedication and support have enabled URJ 6 Points Sports Academy to offer high-quality sports instruction while fostering community and Jewish identity among its campers.

Bruce Silverman (he/him), a member of the URJ 6 Points Camp Advisory Committee and emcee for the anniversary event, spoke about URJ 6 Points' values-based curriculum that teaches kindness and generosity.

The induction ceremony served as a testament to the power of collaboration and commitment, inspiring future generations to continue the legacy of URJ 6 Points Sports Academy.

For more photos and reels from the event, check out URJ 6 Points Sports Academy's Facebook page.