The Jewish Link of New Jersey and The RAIN on Water Event Space would like to recognize Tuvia Minchenberg, member of Heichal HaTorah’s basketball team and the 2019 Sportstar of the Year! Tuvia currently attends SINAI Schools at Heichal HaTorah and, when he was at SINAI at TABC, he played on the TABC varsity basketball team. When The Jewish Link approached Minchenberg about being nominated for Sportstar of the Year, he expressed feeling humbled and excited to be recognized for his athletic abilities. Not just a star athlete, Minchenberg happens to be a well rounded individual who prides himself on his Torah studies as well as his athletic achievements. Minchenberg shared some sports and non-sports accomplishments with interviewers for The Jewish Link:
Tuvia, congratulations on being named 2019 Sportstar of the Year! Who are your role models and why?
My role models are my parents because they are very caring and I really appreciate everything they do for me and my family. Also, my role model for basketball is Steph Curry because he worked so hard to get to where he is today and so have I.
What is your greatest strength on the court?
My strength is 3 point shooting. Since my time at TABC, I have been practicing my 3 point shot more than any other basketball move, and so I have a pretty strong shot by now.
What was your greatest moment?
One of my greatest moments was winning my first ever trophy after the Shoresh Basketball Tournament. It was very meaningful to me. Another one of my greatest moments was when I scored 44 points in a game against Ivdu. In the last few seconds of that game, a teammate threw the ball full court to me and I caught the ball and then hit the shot just in time to beat the buzzer. Teammates and friends were running up to me and congratulating me and it felt like I was on top of the world!
How does it feel to be a member of the Heichal team?
Being part of the Heichal basketball team has been the best experience of my life. I’ve made many friends from the team and I really feel like I’m just one of the guys. Everyone makes me feel like I have something to offer to the team. It’s a hard feeling to explain but it’s a good one.
What is your morning routine to help you get off to a good start?
I wake up at 5 a.m., work out, go on my computer to look up the NBA world, listen to music- which pumps me up for the day. I then learn Torah with my dad and go to davening.
I heard you made a siyum on all of Mishna and Tanach. That’s quite an accomplishment. Would you say that it is important to set goals in all areas of life—both in sports and Torah?
Yes, it is important because you can do anything in life once you put your mind to it!
Outside of sports, what are your interests?
I have a lot of friends and I love spending time with them.
To see Minchenberg’s amazing 3 point shot skills, visit sinaischools.org/tuviabasketball. Minchenberg and his family are the subjects of SINAI’s upcoming short documentary, “Heroes Today,” a sequel to SINAI’s acclaimed “Heroes,” which left off seven years ago with Minchenberg’s deeply inspirational bar-mitzvah. The film’s release is set to occur at SINAI School’s annual benefit dinner on February 23, where Rabbi Yehuda and Laurie Minchenberg, Tuvia’s parents, will be among the honorees. To learn more about SINAI Schools and its dinner, please visit www.sinaidinner.org. SINAI Schools operates seven inclusive special education schools across New York and New Jersey and serves children with a wide range of disabilities.
The RAIN on Water Event Space Sportstar of the Week will receive a $15 gift certificate to any Teaneck restaurant of their choice. Please contact RAIN at 201.817.8100 to receive the certificate. Please send nominees for an upcoming Jewish Link of New Jersey and RAIN on Water Event Space Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
