On March 30, history will be made for Jewish girls basketball players across the country. This year for the first time ever “Jewish Hoops America” along with Hustle & Heart Sports will be hosting the first ever FIDF Girls Invitational National All-Star Game. This event is also being run to raise money for the FIDF to help the men and women fighting in Israel.

Eight players were chosen to compete on the Yeshiva League All-Star Team (players from the MYHSAL league) against eight players from other top Yeshivot across the US (National All Star Team). Players were selected by a committee of coaches, the Jewish Hoops America committee, and fan voting. Jewish Hoops America covers and reports Jewish high school basketball across North America. Their website features weekly rankings of the top 25 teams nationally, daily updates of scores and records, scoring leaders, previews of big games, and coverage of Jewish tournaments.

Since 1992, Yeshiva University has been hosting the annual Red Sarachek Basketball Tournament for the top male basketball players across the country. Coaches and members of other athletic committees eager to provide girls with the same opportunity came together to create this event. The girl’s tournament will be held the same weekend as the Sarachek Tournament. Players will have a welcoming dinner Thursday night, have a team practice on Friday, spend shabbat together, and then compete in the all-star game on Saturday evening.

Members of the Yeshiva League team include: Shirel Kashimallak (NSHA), Merle Kassab (Flatbush), Galil Neuer (Frisch), Ayelet Ostrin (Maayanot), Samantha Pruzansky (Frisch), Clara Rosen (SAR), Leila Sakai (Ramaz) and Daphna Steinmetz (SKA). Members of the National Team include Meira Falk (Berman), Arielle Grossman (Shalhevet), Kira Heuman (Shalhevet), Mia Meldung (Donna Klein), Ilana Schwartz (Ida Crown), Shani Schwartz (JDS), Yalee Schwartz (Shalhevet) and Lilly Yalovsky (Akiba Yavneh). Honorable mentions include: Jamie Feder (SKA), Atara Forman (Frisch), Paulina Gamel (NYHS), Abbi Kammerman (HAFTR), Lea Kaplan (Maimonides), Rena Neiger (Ida Crown), Shifra Prager (Maayanot), Abby Singer (Rochelle Zell), Inbar Victus (CHAT) and Talia Zucker (Ilan).

The tournament will be held at Montclair State University. Event organizers are hoping the local Jewish community comes out to support the girls and fill the 1,000 seat gym. Event co-chair Shana Steinmetz stated, “The level of girls basketball keeps going up all over the world and that includes in our Jewish community. I’m so excited to see for the first time ever the top Jewish high school players from across the country come together and compete.”