Notable among them are Adriana Behar, a Brazilian beach volleyball player who won silver medals in the last two Olympiads.
By DANNY ALEXANDER
In recognition of their athletic accomplishments during the last 100 years, six Jewish athletes from around the world will be inducted today into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in Netanya.
Notable among them are Adriana Behar, a Brazilian beach volleyball player who won silver medals in the last two Olympiads, and Kenny Bernstein, six-time National Hot Rod Association champion from the US.
The annual ceremony is to take place at the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Museum on the Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sport.
Swimmer Jason Lezak, a member of the US gold medal-winning relay team at the Olympics in 2000 and 2004, will also be inducted along with bowling great Marshal Holman. In 1990, Holman was inducted into the Professional Bowler's Association's hall of fame after winning 22 major PBA championships.
Two athletes will also be honored posthumously: Australian-born rugby legend Albert Rosenfeld, and former World Lightweight champion Al Singer. To this day, Rosenfeld holds the record for most tries in a season and was an inaugural member of the Rugby League hall of fame. Singer, "The Bronx Beauty," captured the World Lightweight championship briefly in 1930, before relinquishing it in the same year. During his four-year career Singer compiled a record of 60-8-2.
Ira Berkow, a Pulitzer Prize-winning sports columnist and author for the New York Times, will receive the Hall of Fame's Pillar of Achievement award, given to those who have "made significant contributions to society through sports," according to the Hall's Web site.
The official induction ceremonies will take place during the 18th Maccabiah in 2009.
Since 1979, 315 athletes from 24 countries have been elected to the hall.