(Courtesy of Shomrei Torah of Fair Lawn) Shomrei Torah of Fair Lawn, under the auspices of the Naftoli Aron Torah Enrichment Program, will be hosting its fourth table tennis tournament in the past five years on Saturday, February 8, at 7:00 p.m. A total of 36 players will be playing in singles matches, vying to win cash prizes for the local yeshivas they represent. The seven yeshivot include Ben Porat Yosef, He’Atid, Noam, RYNJ, Yavneh Academy, Yeshiva Katana of Passaic and YBH.

Each year’s competition has a different twist to it, and this year will be no different. There will be four distinct age groups, including those aged 6-9, 10-12, 12-17 and adult. Note that 12-year-olds will have the choice of groups in which to compete, with the older group involving greater prize money. There will be anywhere from four (6-9 age category) to 14 (adult category) players per group. The winner of each group will receive a monetary prize for the yeshiva he/she represents, as well as a personal trophy. The four winners will go on to a championship round. In one, the victors in the 6-9 and 10-12 age categories will compete, while in the other, the winner of the age 12-17 group will take on the adult winner. Prize money will double for this set of rounds.

This will truly be a multi-generational tournament. Six families will have from two to four members in the competition, led by Shomrei Torah’s president, Jeff Cohen, who will be accompanied by his daughter and two sons. Ari Mayefsky, the former youth leader of the shul, will have his two sons with him as participants. Member Pete Weissman will be joined by his grandson. Dede Horowitz, granddaughter of Mendy Aron, organizer of the event, will also be playing.

Over the years we have had over 100 people playing in the tournament, such as John Cosgrove, mayor of Fair Lawn; Rabbi Yudin and Rabbi Markowitz, rabbis of Shomrei Torah; rabbis of local Fair lawn shuls, rebbes from various yeshivot in Bergen County and presidents of Shomrei Torah.

As always, this tournament promises to be lots of fun for both participants and attendees. At a cost of $18 a person, you’ll receive a light dairy meal as well as the opportunity to give Chizuk to your family members and friends, as well as experience the fun of rooting for your favorite Yeshiva.

Those interested in attending should visit www.shomrei-torah.org/event/ttt2020.