Hundreds of community members gathered at Brighton Avenue in Deal for Generation Angel’s 7th annual Best of the Best Tournament. Functioning as the youth division under the Sephardic Angel Fund, Generation Angel’s mission is “to promote education, fiscal responsibility, and long-term thinking to the youth of our community.” Branches include the Generation Angel (or GenAngel) magazine, “extra pocket money,” “event planning” and “college guidance.” Dozens of community teens and young adults volunteer countless hours to stimulate the growth of the organization and to recruit others. With the onslaught of GenAngel’s new website, www.generationangel.com, more help will be greatly
appreciated.
“We want to get the kids involved and to get the GenAngel name out there,” said GenAngel Vice-President Allie Sutton. “We’re looking to help our youth create something and be proud of what they created.”
And so Best of the Best was born and continues to attract community members of all ages. Like the organization it benefits, the tournament consisted of not one but numerous divisions. Sherry Lynn and Lawrence Jemal graciously hosted the event, their backyard equipped with bleachers, a tent for food, Raymond Tawil barbecuing and even a tennis instructor to fix broken racquets.
Other than Allie and GenAngel President Ralph Terzi, there were many volunteers who helped in the six months’ planning for the tournament. Helpers were comprised of Michael Abady, Honey Anteby, Marvin Azrak, Rachel Benun, Jonathan Cohen, Andrew Dweck, Ilana Gabbay, Lucy Gabbay, Jeffrey Gindi, Jacqueline Krost, Barbara Maleh, Ruthie Mamiye, Billy Mizrahi, Linda Nissim, David Saad, Michael Sabbagh, Jack Sitt, Elliot Sutton, Joe Sutton, Joey Sutton and Miro Sutton.
After a challenging basketball game, Jack Abady, Jack M. Beyda and Joe Jemal emerged victorious in the Men’s Top 45 against Sammy Fallas, Albert Franco and Ephraim Setton. High School Top 45 Champions were Bobby Cohen, Jojo Hedaya and Abie Nissim. Allie Beyda, Ezra Kassin, and Joey Khodari received first place in the High School BYOB (bring your own ball) tournament.
The crowd was hushed as tennis players strode onto the court and whacked yellow balls. Morris Dweck and Jack Terzi won the Men’s Top 12 after defeating Eddie Hazan and David Shabot. Steven Chabbot and Jackie Tawil proudly held their first place trophies from the High School Top 24, along with High School’s BYOB Champions Louie Bildirici and Maurice Grazi.
Daniel Cohen, Mark Dweck, Morris Dweck, Eddie Hazan and Hal Sitt made a good team when they scored the winning point in Ultimate Frisbee. Dodgeball winners were Eddie Anzarouth, Michael Ash, Jakey Dweck and Ralph Matut.
Girls were given an equal chance in the spotlight. Girls’ Top 16 tennis champions were Ashley Gindi and Elyse Schemo. Jacqueline Betesh, Betty Laboz and Rochelle Sutton were overjoyed in their girls’ basketball tournament triumph.
As the sun faded away, Best of the Best spectators didn’t dwindle. After the celebratory trophy ceremony, many young adults lingered for a while to joke around and enjoy the remainder of the evening. They just couldn’t get enough of GenAngel for one day.
Written by: Yvonne Harari
