BEYOND THE GAME

Since its founding in 1984, the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation has recognized individuals whose achievements have enriched Michigan’s athletic history. Their stories reflect talent and determination, but also character, leadership and a lasting connection to the Jewish community.

The Hall of Fame Induction Dinner preserves those stories and ensures they continue to inspire. The evening pays tribute to athletes, coaches and contributors who have excelled in their fields while demonstrating the values that make sports meaningful: discipline, teamwork, perseverance and service.

The Foundation’s impact reaches well beyond the Hall of Fame. Through its signature events and the generosity of donors, sponsors and volunteers, it has raised more than $1.5 million for charitable causes. These funds have supported cancer research, treatment and genetic screening, as well as educational programs and scholarships and assistance throughout Metro Detroit.

Through the Stars of Tomorrow Scholarship Fund and student-athlete awards, the Foundation also invests in young people who show promise both in competition and in their communities. These programs connect Michigan’s rich Jewish sports heritage with a new generation prepared to carry its values forward.

Our 2026 honorees remind us that accomplishment is measured not only by records, titles or victories, but also by the lives touched along the way. Their contributions become part of a larger legacy—one that links athletic excellence with philanthropy and community responsibility.

The Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation transforms the spirit of competition into something enduring: an opportunity to remember the past, support the present and inspire the future.

CLASS OF 2026 HALL OF FAME

DR. DEBORAH BERMAN began gymnastics at just three years of age. She quickly rose through the sport’s competitive ranks, competing nationally, becoming California state champion, and earning a place on the national team. Deb competed in the all-around for the Michigan Women’s Gymnastics team while pursuing a demanding premedical curriculum and majoring in sociology. During her four seasons, the Wolverines captured four consecutive Big Ten championships, earned multiple regional titles, and finished as the NCAA national runner-up during her senior year. She earned Academic All-Big Ten and Academic All-America recognition throughout all of her collegiate years, demonstrating the same discipline, determination, and attention to detail in her studies that she brought to every practice and competition.

ANDREW CAHN was a top junior tennis player in the state of Michigan from a young age. At West Bloomfield High School, he earned 3 All-State selections (2009, 2010, 2011), and was named “Mr. Tennis” for 2011 - the award given to the state’s number 1 player in the class. From there, Andrew went on to play college tennis at Western Michigan University, where he was a 3-time MAC Conference all-academic selection, was part of three conference championship teams, and two NCAA championship appearances. Tennis remained a huge part of Andrew’s life as an adult, as he competed on the ITF Professional Tennis tour and has coached and mentored dozens of high school and college tennis players across the country. Andrew’s dad ,Mark Kahn, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015

MARVIN “MARV” FRANKEL (Z”L) - Judge Marvin “Marv” Frankel distinguished himself early as an exceptional athlete. A 1950 graduate of Detroit Central High School, he excelled in football and track, set a Michigan State record in the high hurdles. After his freshman year, Marv transferred to Hillsdale College, where he became one of the Chargers premier football players. A standout right halfback from 1951 to 1954, he was named the 1954 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Most Valuable Player and earned NAIA All-America honors. His success on the field led to professional football opportunities with the Detroit Lions and later the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. Marv’s love of the game extended far beyond his playing career. He dedicated 25 years to coaching and mentoring young athletes in football and basketball, baseball, and softball, including service as a defensive coach for the Oak Park High School football team for 8 seasons and as an assistant football coach at Royal Oak Shrine High School.

ERIC GLANZ grew up in West Bloomfield and attended Walled Lake Central High School, where he was a three-year starting catcher and two-year captain. He was twice named All-Conference, All-District, and All-County, and was a three-time Academic All-State honoree as an honors student-athlete. During his senior year, Eric was named one of the top 20 players in Oakland County and led his team in hits, RBIs, doubles, and home runs. In 2009, he was the recipient of the Jewish News High School Athlete of the Year Award. Recruited by more than 20 colleges, Eric went on to play at Kalamazoo College, where he was a four-year starter and two-time captain. He became one of the most durable players in program history, starting 122 of 137 games, including 77 of 78 games during his junior and senior years. He twice led the team in doubles and RBIs and posted a .383 batting average. In 2011, Eric served as the team’s NCAA representative and received the Kalamazoo College Senior Leadership Award. At the conclusion of his career at Kalamazoo, he was one of only 19 players in program history to record 100 career hits and ranked among the program’s leaders in eight individual career record categories.

PILLARS OF EXCELLENCE CLASS OF 2026

BRIAN AARON has dedicated 30 years to ice hockey, spanning four decades of amateur, international, minor professional, and collegiate competition. As a referee, Brian has officiated more than 1,000 college hockey games, earning assignments at the highest levels. His career includes multiple CCHA, Big Ten, and NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 2019 NCAA National Championship Game. Through his professionalism, consistency, and commitment to the game, Brian has made a lasting impact on hockey at every level.

STUART ALDERMAN has served as Commissioner of USA Softball of Metro Detroit for more than 48 years and is a voting member of the national USA Softball council, chairing three committees. Stu spearheaded the NFL Punt, Pass & Kick program in Michigan with the Detroit Lions for 30 years until the national program ended. He worked with the Detroit Pistons on the NBA 2ball program and an alternate football program with the Detroit Fury. Stu is heavily involved with the Michigan Recreation and Park Association, serving as President in 2006. He also volunteered at the NFL Super Bowl in 2006 and NCAA Final Four in 2009.

JAY LEVINE has been Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach at Walled Lake Central for 16 years. He coached teams that went to 2 Regional State Basketball Finals with WLC in 2013 and 2018. In 2026 he was awarded Walled Lake Central “Lifetime Achievement Award.” In 2019 He was Boys Basketball Commissioner for JCC Maccabi Games held in Detroit.

ERIC PIERCE has been an enormous part of Eric Pierce’s life since childhood. Eric played football and baseball for North Farmington High School before heading to Central Michigan University to continue his baseball journey there. Following college, he taught at West Bloomfield High School and spent 16 years coaching Varsity baseball, including the last 7 years of his tenure as the Varsity Head Coach. He also coached Varsity football (7 years), middle school football (3 years), Varsity and JV Girls Golf (3 years) and was involved in the school’s DECA program. After 13 years in the classroom, Eric became the District Athletic Directorfor WBSD. A position he proudly held for 12 years before retiring from the District in July 2026.

SHIRLEY AND ALVIN FOON HUMANITARIAN AWARD HONOREE

Chris Spielman serves as the Detroit Lions Senior Football Advisor to Ownership after rejoining the organization in a role in 2021. He played a part in the hiring of Executive Vice President and General Manager Brad Holmes and Head Coach Dan Campbell and reports to President and CEO Rod Wood. Spielman was drafted by the Lions in the second round (29th) of the 1988 NFL Draft following an All-American career at Ohio State. He is Detroit’s all-time leader in career tackles with 1,138 and led the Lions defense for eight seasons (1988-95), helping the team to four playoff appearances, two NFC Central titles and a berth in the 1992 NFC Championship Game. He earned four Pro Bowl selections (1989, ’90, ’91 and ’94) and twice was named the team’s defensive MVP. Spielman entered the field of broadcasting at the conclusion of his playing career with FOX Sports in 1999. He returned to FOX in 2016 as a color analyst for NFL games and spent seven years as an analyst for Lions Preseason TV. A graduate of Washington High School (Massillon, Ohio) and The Ohio State University, Chris is married to his wife, Carrie, and together they share six adult children.

DR. STEVEN (Z”L) AND EVELYN ROSEN STARS OF TOMORROW

RYAN REINSTEIN is a graduate of Frankel Jewish Academy, where he excelled both academically and athletically. He graduated with a 3.9 GPA and competed on the school’s cross-country and bowling teams. Ryan served as captain of the cross-country team during both his junior and senior years. He was also honored with the Coaches Award in bowling during both his junior and senior years and was named All-Academic in the Catholic League.

ETHAN TIGAY is a graduate of Bloomfield Hills High School and an incoming student at The Ohio State University, where he will study accounting at the Fisher College of Business. A dedicated student-athlete, Ethan has distinguished himself through academic achievement, leadership, and his commitment to both golf and ski racing. He was a member of the National Honor Society and earned Scholar-Athlete recognition in both sports, reflecting his commitment to excellence in the classroom as well as in athletics. Ethan became a four-year member of the Bloomfield Hills High School Golf Team, including two years on varsity, and helped his team compete at the Michigan State Championship in 2025.

DANE ZEFF is a graduate of Wylie E. Groves High School, where he graduated with a 4.6 GPA while completing a rigorous schedule of AP coursework. As a student athlete he competed in football and track & field for all four years, helping his football team reach the state semifinals and qualifying for the state track meet as a member of his relay team. He was honored with the Unsung Hero Award in recognition of his perseverance and commitment in football. This fall, Dane will attend Elon University continuing his academic journey while pursuing new opportunities for growth and involvement.

JEWISH NEWS HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

ALEXANDER “Xan” ScheinfielD grew up playing Little League baseball in the Franklin Baseball League, where he first discovered his love for the game. He began his travel baseball journey with the Franklin Patriots before continuing his development with the Michigan Bulls and the Ohio Warhawks. His coach helped elevate the lefthander to a top velocity of 94 mph. Never losing sight of his culture, Xan considers his most meaningful experiences to be representing his community in the JCC Maccabi Games from 2023–2025. A four-year varsity letter recipient, Xan is now continuing his baseball career at Michigan State University.

Micah Zacks was a four-year varsity athlete in soccer, ice hockey, and lacrosse at Detroit Country Day School and earned All-State recognition in all three sports, including First Team All-State honors in both soccer and lacrosse. A senior captain of both the soccer and hockey teams, Zacks helped lead Country Day over his career to three state championships (two in lacrosse and one in soccer), eight regional championships, and over 200 team wins across the three sports. In the 2025 Division 3 soccer state final, he capped off his senior season with two goals and an assist in a 4-1 win. Off the field, he carried a 4.00 unweighted GPA, was named a National Merit Commended Scholar, received the 2026 MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award, and was honored with the Detroit Country Day Men’s Athletic Cup, the top student-athlete award at the school.

40th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Dinner

Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation