The Jewish Link and The Humble Toast would like to recognize Dina Katz as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The 10-year-old student at The Moriah School has taken her talents to Camp Regesh for the summer. When asked about Dina, Camp Regesh Division Head Shaina Gross told The Jewish Link, “Dina is always giving her all no matter what the sport (kickball, basketball, soccer, etc…) hustling on both offense and defense in all sports. She is an all around athlete. No matter what the weather, even in the heat of the summer, she does not sit on the sidelines. You will always find her on the court or field playing her sport. Dina always brings her A game and does it with a smile on her face.”
Dina, congratulations on being recognized as this week’s sportstar of the week. Who is your role model and why?
My oldest sister Aleeza has always been like a second mother to me, but she is even more of a role model to me now that I see how she handles her responsibilities. She is an amazing mom to my nephew Yehuda, 2, (Happy Birthday Yehuda!) and my niece Elisheva, 5 months. She also works hard every day as a speech therapist (speech and language pathologist) to help children improve their skills and be their best selves. I am so inspired by how passionate Aleeza is about her career.
What is your favorite sport?
I really enjoy basketball because it’s so satisfying when the ball makes it in the net. It’s also a fast and unpredictable game. I appreciate that basketball is an inclusive game, because so many kids can play at the same time, and it doesn’t require much equipment—just a ball and a net. I especially like playing at school because it’s a fast and easy way to burn up energy after sitting in class for so many hours, and it’s spontaneous, so we can start and end a session during a short recess. It’s also rewarding to observe my friends shine on the court when they may not feel as confident in other areas of their life, such as the classroom.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
It feels great when I win at leagues at Camp Regesh because it’s the perfect balance between having fun and being competitive. There’s so much variety in the sports we play, such as hockey, baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball and kickball. And the games are played outdoors so we have to learn to handle all types of weather conditions which affect how we play, so that automatically makes the games more challenging and interesting.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
My brother Binyamin is my favorite athlete! He has played floor hockey in the goalie position for the past nine years. In the past year alone he won two TABC Jr. Hockey championships where he earned the MVP award—and also the Moriah hockey championships. I have always loved coming to his games with my family to cheer him on, especially because it meant that I got to stay up late a lot of nights!
(Binyamin was also a Moriah Class Speaker when he graduated a few weeks ago, so I have an extra reason to be proud of him!)
What is your earliest sports memory?
My earliest sports memory is playing hockey with my brothers in our driveway. I was 4 years old, and they were 8 and 15, but they always encouraged me and cheered me on. I felt like such a big shot!
What is your funniest sports memory?
During a game of Shipwreck, a group of boys told me that boys are so much better at sports than girls and that I would never be able to beat them, but that just motivated me and I beat those exact boys! I am happy that other girls were there to see them tease me so that I could prove to them that the boys were not right.
What is your favorite sports memory?
Last year I played archery for the first time at Regesh and I loved it! There was no debating with a referee—either it hit the target or it didn’t, and the proof was on the board! It reminds me of basketball because hitting a bullseye is the same feeling as getting the ball in the net.
What do you like to do when you are not playing sports?
I love singing in my school choir, especially when we stand on stage at special events, such as The Moriah School dinner and Englewood Town Hall Celebration at Chanukah when it snows on us as we sing. Dancing is always a favorite activity, and I enjoy sketching and playing card games. Playdates and sleepovers are always fun. Most of all I enjoy playing basketball in the driveway after school with Binyamin.
What is your pregame routine?
Of course I make sure to drink water before and during a game, especially at camp where it’s hot most of the day. I also make it a practice to stretch to avoid injury—jumping jacks are my favorite! And I always check to see where my parents and siblings are seated in the bleachers. I like to glance at them when I make a good shot. It always feels better when they are watching, and I love to make them proud of me.
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
I love reading the Link every Shabbos, especially because I am the youngest of seven children, and we are in the Link pretty much every week for one reason or another. I am usually squeezed into a group shot, but this time I am the only one in the photo. 🙂
The Humble Toast Star of the week will receive a $25 gift card to The Humble Toast. Please send nominees for an upcoming The Humble Toast Jewish Link Stars of the Week to [email protected].
