Celebrate Excellence
A joint program of the Mandell JCC and the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford, the Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame honors the outstanding achievements of sports figures who have made a lasting impact on the Greater Hartford area. From talented athletes and dedicated coaches to influential managers, agents, officials, owners, writers, broadcasters, and passionate supporters – we celebrate excellence in all its forms.
The Greater Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is proud to recognize the 2026 Dr. Morris Cohen Youth Athletic Award recipients: Leah Berey, Hannah Fink, Adam Gold, Benjamin Goldstein, Eli Kramer, Anya Leshem, and Jonah Schulman.
The Youth Awards will be presented at the Mandell JCC’s 111th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 7:00pm.
All are welcome to attend.
The Class of 2026 Adult Inductees have also been selected and will be announced soon. Stay tuned for more details about the upcoming Greater Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame induction and recognition event this fall.
Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and helped us recognize the outstanding athletes, coaches, and community members who have contributed to Jewish sports in Greater Hartford.
History of the Greater Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
Over the span of 20 years (1982 to 2002), the Hall of Fame proudly honored the accomplishments of 86 remarkable athletes, coaches, and contributors, leaving an enduring impact on the Greater Hartford community.
In 1989, the Hall of Fame introduced the Dr. Morris Cohen Youth Athletic Award to recognize exceptional high school student-athletes. Since its inception, this award has celebrated dozens of deserving young athletes who exemplify excellence in sports, leadership, character, and commitment to the Jewish community.
After a period of dormancy, the Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame proudly returned in 2024. That year, 12 distinguished sports figures were inducted, and four outstanding high school seniors received the Dr. Morris Cohen Youth Athletic Award. The return marked a renewed commitment to honoring athletic achievement while strengthening community connection through sport.
Continuing this tradition of excellence:
· Adult inductions now take place every two years (next in 2026).
· The Dr. Morris Cohen Youth Athletic Award is presented annually.
In 2025, one exceptional high school senior was honored with the Youth Athletic Award, reaffirming the Hall of Fame’s commitment to recognizing the next generation of leaders both on and off the field.
The Jewish Historical Society collects materials on the inductees in its archives, ensuring that a record of their contributions is preserved. The honorees are also recognized on a plaque at the Mandell JCC. Funds raised through the Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame support the preservation of community archives, sports programs at the Mandell JCC, including Sports Jams and Camp Shalom, and provide much-needed sports equipment to youth programs in Israel.
For more information, please contact Elana MacGilpin at 860-231-6317.
Relive the Highlights of the Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame 2024 Awards Ceremony & Dinner!
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the Hartford Jewish Sports Hall of Fame 2024 Awards Ceremony & Dinner. It was an unforgettable evening celebrating the remarkable achievements of our inductees and the impact sports have on connecting and strengthening our community.
We are excited to share some of the highlights with you! Below, you’ll find links to the inductee videos and the event photo album:
> Class of 2024 Inductee Videos
> Awards Ceremony & Dinner Photo Album
Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at future events!
With Gratitude,
Steven M. Greenspan
Co-Chair, Hall of Fame 2024
Board Chair, Mandell JCC
Michael Fishman
Co-Chair, Hall of Fame 2024
Co-President, Jewish Historical Society
