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 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.
