By Amollia Antine ’27 Girls’ and Boys’ Varsity Basketball Games: Jan. 12, 2024 Girls’ Final Score: Berman 31, JDS 20 Boys’ Final Score: Berman 56, JDS 43
Berman Preschoolers compete in the Dunk Contest.Credit: Penina Soboroff ’26
The decades-old tradition of Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School’s Lions (JDS) vs. Berman’s Cougars basketball game started even before the game itself. The Cougars had lots of preparation leading up to the game, including a pep rally the Thursday before at lunch. Hoshen Hayun ’25 and Gavi Bienstock ’25 were the MC’s and introduced each player in a unique way. Torah MiTzion Kolell Bachur, Shaked Ben Dor, sang Hatikvah and played it on his guitar followed by Eitan Janus ’25 beautifully singing the National Anthem. Ending the pep rally, Marcella Chalom ’27 and Navone Leibtag ’27 led an adorable pre-school dunk contest.
The girls’ game began with a great start, and the Cougars were up the entire game! The players gave it their all, leading to a final score of 31-20 for Berman. Nitzahn Epstein ’26 was the leading scorer in the girls’ game, with 12 points and 14 rebounds. The student section matched the energy of the court with creative posters and lots of ruach. Dana Lazar ’25 said, “I love playing in these high pressure games; you can really feel the support from everyone.” Not only were the bleachers filled with students, parents, and alumni, but teachers showed up to support the two teams. Ms. Rebecca Wood, an Upper School English and ESS teacher, came to the game with her two kids. Her daughter Charlotte, an elementary schooler, said, “it was a good game, and all the girls are so good… I was impressed with the orange man [Leor Hochstein ’27] who started all the chants.” Ms. Wood remarked, “it was wonderful to attend my first Berman basketball game with my kids. I was so impressed with the skill level of the players — especially the girls!”
Credit: Penina Soboroff ’26Leor Hochstein ‘26 stands in the center of the court before hyping up the crowd.
The boys beat JDS 56-43 in an equally entertaining game. Izzy Orlofsky ’25 said, “I thought we played well as a team and was so happy everyone came out to watch us beat our rivals. The energy was great, and we were all so happy that the Lions slept that night.” It was an exciting game, fun for players and spectators. Eli Teitelbaum ’25 was the top scorer in the boys game with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Coach Yonah Singer, Athletic Director and Boys’ Varsity head coach said, “I am always proud to get to participate in this storied rivalry, and this year was no different.”
The two games were a unique time for two Jewish schools to come together through sports. Etzy Skromne
Credit: Penina Soboroff ’26
’26 added, “I don’t even think of us as rivals, and sometimes it does not bring out the best in each team, but you [can] always see the sportsmanship among players.” Competition can show our true opinions, but both the players and the audience made sure to display sportsmanship. “It was so fun to see friends from JDS and meet new people. It felt like we were not only cheering on our own team but each other,” Daisy Muzin ’27 said.
Amidst the challenging time JDS is facing with the recent loss of their Lower School principal, Rabbi Mathew Bellas, the games provided a source of positivity and support. Coach Singer talked about the moment that was spent honoring JDS’s late principal. “Obviously we feel terrible for the JDS community for the loss of their beloved principal Rabbi Bellas. I was happy that we could take a moment to honor him before and between the games, and thought this gave a big picture view.” Singer continued: “While this is always a tough rivalry game with a ton of competitiveness, I think this did make everybody step back a little bit from some of the usual tension of the tight games.”
The most recent addition to the beloved Berman vs. JDS rivalry was a memorable one filled with spirit and fun. Hope to see everyone next year!
Itai Rozmaryn ‘25 dribbles past a defender. Credit: Penina Soboroff ’26
Right: Dana Lazar ’25 drives towards the hoop.