This year's 15th annual Top Gun, organized by Sephardic Bikur Holim (SBH), lasted from the early hours of the morning until around 11 pm. From basketball to volleyball, to dodgeball to soccer, and even surfing, there was not a sport missing. The Park and Ocean Avenue lot was crammed with tournaments, food by Foremost and Ram caterers, rock climbing and a gigantic slide for kids, and of course, thousands of people.

This year's 15th annual Top Gun, organized by Sephardic Bikur Holim (SBH), lasted from the early hours of the morning until around 11 pm. From basketball to volleyball, to dodgeball to soccer, and even surfing, there was not a sport missing. The Park and Ocean Avenue lot was crammed with tournaments, food by Foremost and Ram caterers, rock climbing and a gigantic slide for kids, and of course, thousands of people.

Ralph Mandil organized the basketball tournament of 192 community stars with help from Judah Schemo and Harold Sherr, and the bleachers and grass were filled with spectators who held their breath during the last match. With the score jumping back and forth in an intense Brooklyn vs. Deal finals game, the red “Deal” team emerged victorious. Winners David Asher, Albert Braha, Joey “Boo” Braha, Ricky Braha, David Braka, and Allie Marshall made an unbelievable comeback against second place winners Jack “Gernie” Ashkenazi, Eddie Kassin, Albert Khodari, Judah Schemo, Jack Serure, and Zudy Shehebar. Albert Braha received MVP in memory of Joel Rishty A”H, and the sportsmanship award in memory of Elliot Kassin A”H was given to David Braka.

All Tournament Team (A.T.T.) champions included Joey Braha, Emcee Albert Gammal, Steven Ranna, Judah Schemo and Zudy Shehebar. Solomon Fallas defeated competitors to win the Slam Dunk contest. Mark Guindi proudly carried his trophy from the famous 3-Point Shot contest.

The girls’ basketball tournament, put together by Vicki Ades, was a tough battle. Emerging victors were MVP Sarah Dayan Abadi, Raquel Betesh, Doris Mosseri, Linda Nissim, and Adela Tebele.
Joey “Stick” Mizrahi and Gabe Sasson headed the volleyball tournament once again. Winners this summer were Eli Ashear and David I. Cohen, along with returning champions Brian Greenspan and MVP Rafi Kassin.

For the third consecutive summer, dodgeball was a big hit. Joey Chalom and Steven Dweck arranged the tournament of 80 participants. “Everyone loves it,” said Steven. “I didn't even have to call anyone; they were all calling me.”

Champions consisted of Albert Ashkenazi, Allie Chehebar, MVP Zach Mansour, Billy Mizrahi, and Mark Sabbagh. “I was scared because the other guys were much bigger than us,” said Albert. “Being my first year playing, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I plan to come back next year for another win.”

Surfers made a splash during the second annual surf competition organized by Nathan and Alyson Mamiye at Joyce and Jack A. Kassin’s beach. Alyson is a professional surfer and has been running a surf camp, “Camp Freedom,” for the past five years. She was among the Top Gun surfers and came in third place in the Women's Open. Sophia Barnathon was the first place winner, and Jherin Gorcy came in second. Yacov Musry proved his surfing skills when he took home the gold in not one but three competitions including the Longboard Open, Men's Shorthand, and Longest Ride. Freddy Erani came in second for both the Longboard Open and Men's Shorthand. Longboard Open's third place winner was Michael Ash, and Men's Shortboard third place winner was Alfons Ashear. There was a Junior Shortboard competition as well, and winners in first, second, and third were Eddie Anzarouth, Sammy Krost, and Ralph Matut. Harry Mizrahi won the competition for the Best Wipe Out. Champions Yacov Musry and Eddie Anzarouth also won a surfboard donated by Spellbinders' surfshop.

Along with the excitement of all the tournaments, there was a second bone marrow drive in memory of Stella Liniado A”H to add new community members to the registry. Dozens of SBH volunteers covered the grounds, asking people to “swab.” “We combined our networks of SBH and Stella Liniado, and now have many volunteers,” said SBH Food Pantry Chairman Al Falack, who had visited Stella A”H last year. Danielle Wahba, the SBH Youth President, helped recruit most of the volunteers. “There's always a constant need for help,” said SBH Youth Vice President Lorraine Braha. “It never ends.”

 

Written by: Yvonne Harari