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Date: 7/9/2015
SPRINGFIELD – Longmeadow High School alumna and Springfield JCC intern Rachel Kofman organized the First Annual Mark Kofman Memorial Basketball Tournament at the Springfield JCC.
Kofman’s goal was to honor the memory of her brother, Mark Kofman, by orchestrating a community 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
Mark was an avid basketball player and fan who tragically passed away in February of 2014.
Rachel’s goal became a reality this June when 10 teams came together to play in honor of Mark.
The tournament raised money to establish a scholarship in Mark’s name for Team Springfield-JCC Maccabi Games athletes. The annual JCC Maccabi Games is a weeklong international athletic competition for Jewish teens. Mark was a member of Team Springfield for five years and had been playing basketball at the JCC since age three. His family and friends believe he would be happy to help other athletes enjoy this unique experience.
Participants received a t-shirt, designed by Rachel, that honored Mark with his last name “Kofman” and number “22” printed on the back.
“It was incredible to see how his legacy could live on through these shirts. I know everyone could feel his spirit come to life on the court throughout the day,” Rachel Kofman said.
Jillian Bertuzzi, close friend to Mark said, “Today was a day for us to remember Mark and celebrate the amazing life he lived. He will always be loved and missed, and impossible to be forgotten.”
Kofman and the Springfield JCC plan to have Mark’s memory continue to live on with the Second Annual Mark Kofman Memorial Basketball Tournament on June 26, 2016.
For additional information about the Springfield JCC facility and programs, visit www.SpringfieldJCC.org or stop by for a tour, 1160 Dickinson St.