It was clear by the tremendous turnout for the Gesher Yehudah 7th Annual High Heat Tournament in Deal, NJ, that the community is happy to raise money for Gesher Yehuda, an important and vital school in our community.
The meticulous planning and dedication were evident as the day’s events ran effortlessly, thanks in part to the youth of our community who put the event together. These devoted volunteers spent several months perfecting each sports event to enhance the day’s success. The large following High Heat has generated is a true testament to each person’s commitment to raise funds for Gesher Yehuda.
With a staff trained in special education, Gesher Yehuda Elementary School was established over 20 years ago. Each enrolled child receives individualized education, and High Heat helps bring many community members together to raise funds that are necessary for a school with such a large operating budget. The main focus is to give the children the best education possible.
The need for a high school arose several years ago, when many parents of Gesher Yehuda students were not sure where their children would go to school after elementary school. Now in its fourth year, the Gesher Community High School has been servicing its elementary students. This is reassuring to parents in the elementary school, that there is now a high school to help with their continuing education.
“Everyone involved with Gesher Yehuda works with all of their hearts in such a humble manner,” said Shirley Mansour, the school’s administrative director.
Held this year over two weeks, the High Heat Tournaments have become one of the most highly anticipated events of the summer. Created by Gesher Yehuda’s President Michael Cayre over nine years ago as a top line professional tennis tournament, High Heat is now run by kids for kids. This year over 850 players participated in a wide array of sporting events throughout Deal. The joint effort of all involved should be commended.
“The tournament is a labor of love for the many people who have volunteered their time to Gesher Yehuda. The young people involved in the making of this tournament are truly amazing. They have worked on this tournament for the past six months; it’s a huge undertaking, but they make everything look simple. As a board member, I am very proud of our volunteers without whom the program would not run smoothly. Each year they aim higher to make the tournament bigger and better. This year they reached that goal. I’m sure next year will be even bigger and better,” commented Frieda Tawil.
The participants were privileged to enjoy the beautiful weather as the various events were held at several locations. Each participant was given drawstring bags with color coordinated team jerseys. With the proper mindset, their hard work led to many exciting tournaments. Each event coordinator spent countless hours perfecting and organizing their team.
In addition, a meaningful blood drive was held in loving memory of Joey Beyda A”H to benefit the New York Downtown Hospital.
Joseph Sutton has had a passion for running basketball tournaments since he was a child. He started his first one when he was in 5th grade and the event grew bigger and bigger every year.
“My tournament was called Hot Shot,” he stated. “A few years ago my best friends started running a tournament called High Heat, and during this past year they asked me to run their basketball tournament for them. Instead of having to run two tournaments, Eric Setton and I realized that it would be more effective for us to merge our tournaments. By doing so, we’d have the already established Hot Shot Basketball Tournament, along with all of the other sports that High Heat has every year. They also would be able to use my house as the venue which conveniently contains basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts. This way all the events would occur on one site, and thank G-d it was a huge success. There were 400 athletes and at least 300 spectators at the finals of the basketball tournament. We went through 800 hamburgers, the turnout was incredible”.
The basketball winners in the older basketball were: Sammy Sabbagh, Marc Braha, Joe Bibi, Michael Mann, and Andrew Gelber; and the runners up were: Eddie Gindi, Joey Levy, Ikey Beyda, Daniel Levy, and Bobby Cohen. The younger basketball winners were: Joe Chehebar, Solly Stavrach, Joey Stavrach, and Ezra Doueck; and the runners up were: Leon Betesh, Joey Dweck, Isadore Pardo and Jake Haber. The girls’ basketball winners were Orly Wahba, Aura Setton, Adela Tebele, Renee Ashkenazie, and Marissa Katz.
Softball was held on a different day. The morning began with 144 men on 12 teams who battled throughout the course of the afternoon. After playing in the first High Heat Softball Tournament over seven years ago, Steven Gindi got involved and has helped organize and run the softball tournament.
“I take great pleasure in helping each year. So many players have given of themselves to help make the day what it is,” he said. Along with Steven were Ikey Mavorah, Max Sutton, Sam Esses, Ray Esses, Esty Levy, Elliot “Chef” Chrem, and other participants who helped make the day a huge success.
The softball champions were those on the softball team of Jeffery Saka and Henry Shalam.
Girls’ soccer consisted of mostly high school girls; over 16 teams with four divisions were created. Led by Barbara Maleh, the girls had a great time and showed tremendous energy. Barbara was assisted by Stephanie Maleh, Linda Mizrahi, Gaby Sabbagh, Claire Setton and Estelle Tawil. The winners were Emily Shrem, Robyn Saad, Celia Tawil, Madeline Setton, Adele Greenberg and Sandy Yedid. The second place winners were: Stephanie Maleh (MVP), Linda Maleh, Jennifer Maleh, Esty Cohen, Sarah Zafarani and Paula Tawil.
Other winners included mens’ tennis winners Nathan Mamiye and Charles Cohen; the runners up were Solomon Fallas and Joey Cohen. Boys’ tennis winners were Isaac Sasson, Charles Saka, and the runners up were Steven Jemal and Bobby Falack. Girls’ tennis winners were Ariel Kamin and Sara Nardea, and the runners up were Carol Anzaroot and Lee Zabede. The volleyball winners were: Sara Yedid, Shirley Yedid, Sol Wahba, Sol Setton, and Isaac Antar. The runners up were Morris Kassin, Sarina Azizo, Debrah Terzi, Eddie Spigal, and Leo Tawil. Ultimate winners were Adam Harari, Freddy Harari, Gabe Harari, Mark Elmann, Daniel Cohen and Abie Harary. The runners up were Eddie Hazan, Aaron Shasha, and Jonathan Benun.
Gesher Yehuda would like to thank Rachel and Jeff Sutton for graciously opening up their home, Claude and Jack Setton, Frieda Tawil and her family and Shirley Mansour and her family. Eric Setton, Mark Dweck, Morris Dweck, Abie Cohen, Maurice Schmool, Joey Sasson, Maurice Sued, Barbara Maleh, Stephanie Maleh, Claire Setton, Joe Sutton, Jack Sitt , Eddie Hazan, Ben Mann, Robby Chattah, Steven Gindi, Ikey Mavorah, Orly Wahba, Vicky Ades, Merle Kassab, Joseph Kassin, Rebecca Cohen, Eddie Matut, Solomon Suede, Maxie Cohen, Cynthia Haddad, Sol Betesh, Stanley Chera, Eddie Hazan, Morris Dweck, Bobbi Beyda, Violet Ash, Ariel Kaiman, Charles Saka, Isaac Sasson and all the of the other hard working High Heat Tournament volunteers, who helped orchestrate the girls and guys basketball, girls soccer, softball, tennis, surfing, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee and volleyball tournaments. Gesher Yehuda would also like to thank all of its generous sponsors.
Stay tuned for next year’s tournaments, and many more in the years to come!
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Randi Shomer is a mother of four children, a community member, and a freelance writer.
