The Jewish Link of New Jersey and Gotham Burger would like to recognize Teaneck’s own Vivian Gross as this year’s Mother’s Day Sportstar. Vivian was nominated by her three wonderful grandchildren: eight-year-old Yael Leba Gross, six-year-old Rafi Gross and sixteen-month-old Basya Gross.

We had the privilege of sitting down with the Gross family and discussing their sportstar grandmother (Omi), Vivian Gross.

Thank you for taking the time to talk about your Omi with us, what gave you the idea to nominate her for Mother’s Day Sportstar?

Our parents read The Jewish Link every week and they told us about the Mother’s Day Sportstar nomination, and right away we said we want to nominate Omi, our grandmother. We knew that our other grandmother wouldn’t feel bad at all because she is not into sports like our Omi.

What makes your Omi a sportstar?

Yael Leba: It makes me so happy when my Omi comes to my baseball games and gymnastics tournaments. I think she should be Sportstar of the Week for Mother’s Day. My Omi has always taught me that not just boys can play sports, but girls can be great superstars. My Omi is a superstar (I get my superstar genes from her!)

Rafi: I love watching football and baseball with my Omi! She knows all the rules. She bought me a football for my birthday! My Omi should be Sportstar of the Week. We love to play baseball in her backyard, especially when she pitches!

What is your Omi’s favorite sport?

Her favorite sport is for sure baseball. Her favorite team is the Mets, so we are all Mets fans. Our mom’s family lives in Chicago and they are White Sox fans so when we visit there we root for the White Sox, but our number one team is the Mets, just like Omi!

Who is your Omi’s favorite athlete?

Our Omi’s favorite athletes are us!!! When she comes to our games she cheers the most for us.

What is your Omi’s greatest athletic accomplishment?

When our Uncle Alter was a little boy in TBO, Omi coached his baseball team all the way up until the championship round. They ended up not winning but that was pretty cool to get to be in the championship!

What’s the best thing about having a sportstar Omi?

Omi is a really nice sportstar grandmother. She always tells us that even if we think we’re not the best player we still always have to try our best. But most importantly, she tells us that we don’t have to be great at PLAYING sports, but we have to be good sports and show positive team spirit. Omi always says that it’s fun to win, but playing hard and playing well are just as important.