AJA awards grants to Jewish and Israeli athletes who display elite skill or potential in their sport, and pride in their roles as ambassadors for the Jewish community.
2023 Grant Recipients
-
Emily Rosenfeld - Archery
Nationally ranked Olympic reserve archer. Columbia University’s D1 Varsity Archery Team. 2x New York State U18 Recurve Indoor Champion (2021 & 2022).
“I openly and regularly share my Jewish culture and pro-Israel stance with my competitors and teammates”.
-
Menachem Chen - Track & Field /Bobsled
Current Israeli Shot Put Champion and National Team athlete. Also a bobsled brakeman on Israel’s National Team.
“It is first and foremost to represent Israel. To represent the country. I am the one who is in the competition and shows the other athletes. Shows the audience how Israelis behave. Politely, respectfully, and helping others.”
-
Rebecca Day - Climbing (Youth)
11-year-old female British Boulder and Climbing athlete. Scottish Regional Team. Runner-up in 2023 Scottish Youth Climbing Championships (Youth C Female).
“Through sharing the fact that not only am I a 5 foot girl of slight build competing in what is often seems as a man's sport which many think is based purely on strength, but also a Jewish girl succeeding in sport, is something I hope to inspire the next generation of Jewish Athletes, promoting sporting diversity among young people.”
-
Danielle Musry - Soccer
High school junior. Represented Florida in Regional ODP (Olympic Development Program) for 2 years. First team all conference for high school soccer 2 years in a row. 5x Tampa Bay player of the week.
“I founded an antisemitism awareness club at my high school and recruited over 50 athletes to join. I educat them on Jewish history and the struggles the Jewish people have faced. I speak regularly to students, teachers, and other people about how to help Jewish people through the rise of antisemitic attacks.”
-
Colin Vineberg - Golf
4x Maryland State Champion . Won the Under Armour National Championship in 2020. Member of the USA Junior Maccabi golf team that won gold in Israel in 2022. Collegiate golfer at Dickinson College.
“I make my Jewish identity known whenever I am out in the community, especially during my volunteer work with youth golfers.”
-
Jonathan Czeches - Soccer (Youth)
U-15 soccer player - Rise MLNEXT soccer team in Houston
“I am one of a very small Jewish population in my school area, and I always try to put my Judaism in a high place.”