The JKHA varsity soccer team is off to a great start, heading into Pesach with an impressive 3-1 record. Senior Ilan Slonim is a huge part of the team’s success. In the opening night against JEC, Slonim showed great leadership and composure to help Kushner come back from a three point deficit with six goals. The senior defender is Kushner’s leading scorer and his determination and understanding of the game will help continue to push Kusner Academy to a winning season. The coach of the Kushner squad told the JLNJ “…in addition to being a terrific player, he helps make all of his teammates better.”

When asked who his greatest role model is, Ilan answered. “I think it’s my dad. He grew up in Australia, in a country that at the time was not so accepting of Jews, especially in the sports world. The stories that he tells me are incredible. They inspire me day in and day out. He grew up with the love of soccer in a country that was not so accepting. Now I can play without obstacles.

Ilan’s favorite athlete is Derek Jeter and his pregame meal consists of his mother’s noodles and an airhead. His post game meal is always at Woxx, a gourmet Chinese restaurant in West Orange. An early sport memory that Ilan can recount occured in his 1st grade class; he scored the winning goal in a championship game. “I will never forget that,” he recalls, “because my father was the coach.”

When not on the court, Ilan enjoys spending time with friends and family.

What is most rewarding for Ilan is the idea that younger kids will look up to him and say,, “we want to be like you;” that is the greatest feeling.

The Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week will receive a $10 gift certificate to Gotham Burger. Please send nominees for next week’s Gotham Burger Sportstar of the Week to [email protected]