BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Jewish Hall of Fame - ECPv6.15.17//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Jewish Hall of Fame X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://nationaljewishsportshalloffame.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Jewish Hall of Fame REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260517T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260517T140000 DTSTAMP:20260728T121954 CREATED:20260415T005423Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260429T203436Z UID:10000002-1779022800-1779026400@nationaljewishsportshalloffame.org SUMMARY:Class of 2026 Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony DESCRIPTION:Honoring The Class of 2026\n \n\nUpcoming Induction Ceremony\nSunday\, May 17\, 20261:00 pm at the SYJCCVIP Reception: 12:30 pm \nEach year\, the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame welcomes a new class of inductees who have made extraordinary contributions to the world of sports.\nJoin us this May as we celebrate the following honorees and gather with athletes\, sports leaders\, and fans to commemorate their achievements.\n \n PURCHASE TICKETS\n \n \n \n \n\n \n Yuri Foreman \n \n \n \n \n \n \nYuri Foreman\n \n Yuri Foreman’s journey to the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is as remarkable as it is inspiring—a story defined by perseverance\, identity\, and purpose. Born in Gomel in the former Soviet Union and raised in Israel before immigrating to the United States\, Foreman’s path reflects both the challenges and triumphs of the Jewish diaspora. From an early age\, he demonstrated a deep commitment not only to athletic excellence\, but also to his heritage and personal growth—values that would come to define his career both inside and outside the ring. \nForeman rose to prominence in the world of professional boxing with a disciplined and technical style that earned him widespread respect. In 20021 he won the New York Golden Gloves tournament. During his amateur career\, Foreman compiled a record of 75-5. In 2007 Foreman won the North American Boxing Federation super welterweight title. His crowning achievement came in 2009\, when he captured the WBA Super Welterweight Championship at Madison Square Garden\, becoming one of the few observant Jews to win a world boxing title. Fighting on a stage long associated with boxing’s greatest legends\, Foreman carried with him not only his own ambitions\, but also the pride of a global Jewish community. He often entered the ring with symbols of his faith and remained steadfast in his religious observance\, even navigating the unique challenges that came with balancing a professional boxing career and a commitment to Judaism. Foreman retired with a professional record of 35 wins\, 4 losses\, and 1 no contest. \nBeyond his accomplishments as a world champion\, Foreman’s life story is distinguished by his dedication to spiritual and intellectual growth. While competing at the highest levels of boxing\, he simultaneously pursued rabbinical studies and was ordained as a rabbi—an extraordinary dual path that speaks to his depth of character and sense of purpose. In doing so\, he has become a powerful role model\, demonstrating that strength is not measured solely by physical achievement\, but also by discipline\, faith\, and a commitment to something greater than oneself. \nYuri Foreman’s legacy extends far beyond his victories in the ring. He stands as a symbol of resilience\, faith\, and the enduring power of identity—an athlete who has proudly represented the Jewish people on one of the world’s most demanding stages. His induction into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame honors not only his achievements as a champion\, but also the example he has set for future generations: that it is possible to pursue greatness while remaining deeply grounded in one’s values\, heritage\, and community.\n \n \n \n\n \n Kevin Pillar \n \n \n \n \n \n \nKevin Pillar\n \n Kevin Pillar’s journey to the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is defined by perseverance\, grit\, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Born in West Hills\, California\, Pillar’s path to Major League Baseball was anything but conventional. Selected in the 32nd round of the MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays\, he entered professional baseball without the fanfare often afforded to future stars—but through determination\, work ethic\, and relentless belief in himself\, he carved out a career that would earn him respect across the game. \nPillar’s rise through the minor leagues was nothing short of extraordinary. In 2012\, he was named Minor League Player of the Year by the Toronto Blue Jays organization after leading all of Minor League Baseball in hits—a remarkable achievement that highlighted both his consistency and drive. He also earned multiple Minor League All-Star selections\, establishing himself as one of the most productive and reliable hitters in the system. Those early accolades set the stage for a Major League career built on performance\, not pedigree. \nAt the Major League level\, Pillar became one of baseball’s premier defensive outfielders\, earning a reputation for his fearless style of play and highlight-reel performances in center field—performances that earned him the nickname “Superman” for his seemingly impossible\, acrobatic catches. His excellence in the field was consistently recognized: in 2015\, he led all Major League outfielders in putouts and was named the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year for center field. In 2016\, he earned the prestigious Fielding Bible Award at the center field position\, further solidifying his status among the game’s elite defenders. In 2017\, his .997 fielding percentage ranked as the best among American League center fielders—an extraordinary measure of consistency and reliability. Over the course of more than a decade in the majors\, he compiled over 1\,000 hits and more than 100 career home runs\, while consistently demonstrating a level of durability and toughness that set him apart. \nBeyond his playing career\, Pillar has continued to contribute to the game through broadcasting\, serving as an analyst for the Toronto Blue Jays. In this role\, he brings the same insight\, intensity\, and authenticity that defined his time on the field\, offering fans a unique perspective shaped by years of experience at the highest level. His ability to break down the game and connect with audiences has added a meaningful new chapter to his baseball journey. \nBeyond his on-field accomplishments\, Pillar has taken great pride in his Jewish heritage\, embracing the opportunity to represent the Jewish community at the highest level of professional sports. As one of the few Jewish players in Major League Baseball during his era\, he has served as a visible and respected ambassador\, inspiring young athletes who see in his journey a reflection of their own aspirations. His willingness to play through injury\, his team-first mentality\, and his relentless pursuit of excellence have made him a role model not only for his performance\, but for his character. \nKevin Pillar’s legacy is one of resilience\, heart\, and impact. His induction into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame honors a career built not on expectation\, but on effort—on proving that determination and belief can overcome long odds. In doing so\, he has left a lasting mark on the game of baseball and has proudly carried forward the tradition of Jewish athletes who compete with passion\, integrity\, and pride.\n \n \n \n\n \n Cletus Seldin \n \n \n \n \n \n \nCletus Seldin\n \n Cletus “The Hebrew Hammer” Seldin’s journey to the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is a testament to resilience\, determination\, and the enduring pride of representing one’s heritage on the world stage. Raised in Shirley\, New York\, Seldin built his path through grit and perseverance\, developing a reputation as a relentless competitor with an unmistakable presence in the ring. From his earliest days in the sport\, he embodied the spirit of a fighter—one who not only sought victory\, but who embraced the responsibility of carrying his identity with pride. \nSeldin rose through the professional boxing ranks with an aggressive\, crowd-pleasing style that quickly earned him national attention. Known for his knockout power and fearless approach\, he captured the WBC International Silver Lightweight title\, a significant milestone that helped cement his standing in the sport. Over the course of his career\, he has compiled an impressive professional record of 28 wins\, 1 loss\, with 23 victories coming by knockout—an extraordinary testament to both his power and his ability to finish fights. Fighting frequently on prominent stages\, including Madison Square Garden\, Seldin became a fan favorite and a respected name within the boxing community. \nWhat sets Seldin apart\, however\, is not only his success in the ring\, but the pride with which he represents his Jewish heritage. Embracing the nickname “The Hebrew Hammer\,” he has carried forward a tradition of Jewish boxers who have left an indelible mark on the sport\, serving as a visible and vocal ambassador for the community. In every bout\, he brings with him a sense of purpose that transcends competition—honoring those who came before him while inspiring a new generation to see themselves reflected in his journey. \nCletus Seldin’s story is one of perseverance\, identity\, and heart. His induction into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame recognizes not only his accomplishments as a professional boxer\, but also his role as a proud representative of Jewish strength and resilience. Through his career\, he has reminded us that greatness is forged not just through victories\, but through the courage to stand tall\, fight forward\, and represent something larger than oneself.\n \n \n \n\n \n Max Baer \n \n \n \n \n \n \nMax Baer\n \n Max Baer was one of boxing’s most powerful and charismatic figures\, renowned for his devastating punching power and larger-than-life personality. Known as “Madcap Maxie\,” Baer\, a native of Omaha\, Nebraska\, rose to prominence during boxing’s golden era\, captivating fans with his aggressive style and knockout ability.\nIn 1934\, Baer captured the World Heavyweight Championship with a dominant victory over Primo Carnera\, winning by eleventh-round knockout to claim the title. Among the defining moments of his career were victories over former heavyweight champion Max Schmeling and top contender Ernie Schaaf\, showcasing his ability to defeat elite competition. His victory over Schmeling carried deep cultural significance\, as Baer who proudly embraced his Jewish heritage defeated a fighter closely associated with Nazi Germany during a time of rising global tension. He later faced James J. Braddock in a memorable championship bout that became one of the most storied fights in boxing history.\nKnown for his explosive power\, Baer recorded 52 knockouts\, earning recognition as one of the hardest punchers of his era and making him a member of the exclusive group of boxers to have won 50 or more bouts by knockout. His fearless approach and crowd-pleasing style made him a central figure in some of boxing’s most significant contests of the 1930s.\nOver the course of his professional career\, Baer compiled a record of 72 wins against 12 losses cementing his legacy as one of boxing’s most dynamic heavyweight champions and an enduring figure in the sport’s history. Named to Ring Magazine’s “The 50 Greatest Heavyweights of All Time.”\n \n \n \n\n \n Maxie Rosenbloom \n \n \n \n \n \n \nMaxie Rosenbloom\n \n Maxie Rosenbloom combined elite boxing skill with unmistakable personality\, becoming one of the most recognizable and accomplished fighters of his era. A native of New York\, Rosenbloom rose to prominence through his durability\, ring intelligence\, and defensive mastery.\nIn 1930\, Rosenbloom captured the World Light Heavyweight Championship\, defeating Jimmy Slattery to claim the title. He went on to defend his championship against top contenders\, establishing himself as one of the division’s dominant figures during a highly competitive period in boxing history.\nKnown for his elusive\, slap-heavy style\, Rosenbloom frustrated opponents with his ability to avoid punishment while controlling the pace of a fight—earning him the nickname “Slapsie Maxie.” His career extended beyond the ring\, as he became a popular film and television actor\, bringing his charisma and larger-than-life presence to audiences nationwide.\nOver the course of his professional career\, Rosenbloom compiled an exceptional record of 222 victories\, 42 losses\, and 13 draws\, with 19 knockouts—cementing his legacy as one of boxing’s most durable and skilled light heavyweight champions.\n \n PURCHASE TICKETS\n \nTicket Information\n\nGeneral $25\nSenior (65+) $15\n13 year and under FREE\nVIP $75 (includes meet & greet with the inductees\, photo opps with the inductees (time permitting) and VIP Reception)\n\n\n\n \n Honoring Legacies\n \n\nGloves & Grit: Jewish Boxing Legends\n“Gloves & Grit: Jewish Boxing Legends” is a dynamic and engaging exhibition that highlights the significant contributions of Jewish athletes to the sport of boxing. This exhibit traces the history of Jewish participation in the ring—from early pioneers who fought against adversity and broke barriers\, to champions who left a lasting mark on the sport. \nThe exhibit celebrates the achievements of Jewish boxers\, trainers\, promoters\, and influential figures who helped shape boxing’s legacy. Visitors will learn about trailblazers like Benny Leonard and Barney Ross\, alongside legendary figures such as Max Baer and Maxie Rosenbloom\, and contemporary fighters including Yuri Foreman and Cletus Seldin. \nGloves & Grit offers a compelling look at the intersection of Jewish identity and boxing\, illustrating how these athletes rose above challenges to become icons of strength\, perseverance\, and pride. \nWhether you’re a boxing enthusiast\, a history lover\, or inspired by stories of grit and determination\, this exhibit provides a powerful and engaging exploration of Jewish contributions to one of the most intense and storied sports in the world. \n \n \n PURCHASE TICKETS\n \nSponsorship Information\n\n World Series: $5\,000\n \n\n Includes ten (10) VIP tickets to the event – meet and greet with inductees and award winners. Listing as event sponsor on social media communications. Acknowledgement in remarks during event presentations. Mention in the Buzz\, our weekly electronic publication that reaches\, close to 11\,000 people. Top tier listing as event lead sponsor on all-inclusive signage at the event. Inductees and award winners will autograph a commemorative poster of the event \n\n Super Bowl: $2\,500\n \n\n Includes six (6) VIP tickets to the event – meet and greet with inductees and award winners. Listing as event sponsor on social media communications. Acknowledgement in remarks during event presentations. Mention in the Buzz\, our weekly electronic publication that reaches\, close to 11\,000 people. Listing on all-inclusive signage at the event. \n\n Grand Prix: $1\,000\n \n\n Includes four (4) VIP tickets to the event – meet and greet with inductees and award winners. Listing as event sponsor on social media communications.\nAcknowledgement in remarks during event presentations. Listing on all-inclusive signage at the event. \n\n Stanley Cup: $500\n \n\n Includes two (2) VIP ticket to the event – meet and greet with inductees and award winners. Listing on all-inclusive signage at the event \n\nEvent Sponsorship Form\n\n\nStep 1 of 2 – Sponsor Information\n \n 50%\n InstagramThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Name of SponsorPlease enter the name of your organization.WebsitePlease enter your organization's website.\n \n Sponsorship LevelPlease select a sponsorship level.World Series: $5\,000Super Bowl: $2\,500Grand Prix: $1\,000Stanley Cup: $500Logo UploadPlease upload your organization's logo for use on promotional materials.Max. file size: 64 MB.\n \n\nName(Required)\n First\n \n Last\n \n \n\nEmail(Required)\n Enter Email\n \n Confirm Email\n \n \n\nAre you the primary contact for this sponsorship?(Required)\n \n Yes\n \n No\n \n\nName of Primary Contact(Required)\n First\n \n Last\n \n \n\nEmail of Primary Contact(Required)\n Enter Email\n \n Confirm Email\n \n \n\nConsent(Required)\n By checking this box\, I confirm that the information provided is accurate and that our organization agrees to participate as a sponsor under the event’s terms and conditions. URL:https://nationaljewishsportshalloffame.org/event/class-of-2026-jewish-sports-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony/ LOCATION:Suffolk County JCC\, 74 Hauppauge Rd.\, Commack\, NY\, 11725\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://nationaljewishsportshalloffame.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/NJSHOF-Inductee-Main-Image-2.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR