Community Magazine July 2014

Sportsman of the Month David Dadoun A s Ma’or Yeshiva High School bids farewell to the class of 2014, it’s only proper that we recognize the athletic accomplishments of their school valedictorian David Dadoun. David has set himself apart as both a talented individual and gifted leader both on and off the courts and playing fields. Ma’or Yeshiva sponsors afterschool leagues for its students in softball, basketball and flag football, and over the past two years, David has served as team captain in four such leagues, leading his club to championship victories three times. In the winter of 2012, his underdog basketball team took the #3 seed into the championship game versus the #1 seed, and the team devised a strategy to ensure that MVP Victor Abady wouldn’t beat them. Sure enough, they wore him down and came away with David Dadoun’s first championship win. They never would’ve succeeded had it not been for David’s relentless, tenacious defense, as well as the example he set for his teammates with his attitude and focus. In the spring of 2013, David teamed up Meyer Kassin and Albert Shalom to thoroughly dominate the flag football league from end to end – both offensively and defensively. This year, David again took a football team pitted to be the bottom of the league (mostly because everyone underestimated his leadership abilities) and led them to a 6-1 record and another championship! Aside from his athletic feats, David has also set himself apart academically, as an extremely diligent student who excelled in both his Hebrew classes and general studies. He has been a shining example of how to do things right in the classroom and with schoolwork. Teachers have only the highest praise for him as student, as an athlete, and, most importantly, as a person. League ref Michael Russomano describes David as a “fierce competitor and a true gentleman on the field, [who] never disputes a call, just keeps playing hard and tries to win…A class act.” Amazingly, despite his demanding schedule of schoolwork and sports, David managed to find the time during his junior year to learn and become certified as a first aid responder for Elberon Township. He takes pride in his ability to help people of all types in their time of serious need. League members only regret that they don’t get to have another opportunity to try and beat David next season, as he’s graduating and going off to learn in Mikdash Melech next year. We are extremely proud of David and his accomplishments, and we are honored to name him as the Sportsman of the Month. Congratulations David! This month’s Kosher Taco Sportsman of the Month is… THE KOSHER TACO 62 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE David Dadoun with his rebbe, Rabbi David Beyda.