The Pillar of Achievement honors people who are not star athletes and are not highly visible members of the media and other activities related to sports, but for other reasons, ranging from the founding of this Hall of Fame to building local community centers, have made an unusually important impact on Philadelphia area sports.
Class of 2020
William Yale Saltzman, considered one of the greatest football players in Philadelphia High School history in 1928, was inducted into their first Sports Hall of Fame class 63 years later. In his junior year at Franklin & Marshall College, he was the first Jewish captain of the football team with wrestling, boxing and baseball rounding out his sports interests. He was inducted into F&M’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.
Class of 2019
From his position as the managing partner of his law firm to his many leadership roles, Stephen Frishberg has been a tireless leader both professionally and charitably. Twenty-one years after its founding, the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was forced to leave its previous home and was at a dire crossroad. But Frishberg, its Chairman for twelve years, remained undeterred and retained a clear vision for the future shepherding the organization into a bright new era. His generosity and commitment, coupled with a dogged determination and his singular ability to think outside of the box has earned him the honor of the Pillar of Achievement Award.
Class of 2003
Sam was the Chairman of the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Philadelphia from 1994-1997. His enthusiastic support helped establish the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Fall of Fame.
Class of 2004/2005
Bill (right) and Harvey (left) believed that the rich Jewish sports tradition in Philadelphia deserved recognition. They took this idea and co-founded the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.
Class of 2006
Simcha is a long time President and the driving force in maintaining the Jewish Basketball League Alumni Association. The JBLA is an unusual sports organization that began and has operated continuously since 1938.
Class of 2007
After the Philadelphia Warriors were sold and moved to San Francisco in 1962, Ike and Irv became partners to return professional basketball to Philadelphia. They purchased the NBA franchise Syracuse Nationals in 1963 and renamed it the Philadelphia 76ers. Richman (left) and Kosloff (right) pictured with Dolph Schayes (PJSHOF inductee) (center).
Class of 2011
Steve headed the development of, and continues to remain actively involved in a Police Athletic League community center named after his father, Samuel D. Cozen. The center provides a broad range of free sports, education, recreation and social services to inner-city children and their families. Steve serves on the Board of Steven Spielberg’s USC Shoah Foundation Institute, the creator of the largest archive of Holocaust testimonies in the world.
Class of 2012
Lewis has provided leadership and funding for a broad range of philanthropic activities, with particular focus on children, education and health care. He was a principal owner of the NJ Nets and NJ Devils. A native of Camden, New Jersey, he helped build two Boys & Girls Clubs there that serve nearly 3,000 young people each year, as well as Jewish Community Centers in Cherry Hill and Margate, New Jersey with another under construction in Princeton, all named for his parents.
Class of 2013
Jed has been dedicated to using sports to strengthen Jewish identity and pride and a love for Israel during his 40 years working at JCCs and Maccabi USA. Since 2002 when his tenure as Maccabi USA Executive Director began, record numbers of Americans have participated in Maccabi competitions around the world. Tributes include the JCCA’s Arthur Brodkin Award and the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame’s Dick Steinberg “Good Guy” Award.
Class of 2014
Philadelphia may never have seen, nor is it likely ever to see, a public official who is a greater sports enthusiast than Ed Rendell. In his two terms as District Attorney, Mayor and Governor, Ed was not only an avid fan and sports radio and TV commentator, he also did everything within his power, whether it was attracting a star free agent or building a new stadium, to help each of our teams succeed.
