Chase Rivas, a junior lacrosse player at Hewlett High School, will be recognized as the Temple Israel, Lawrence Outstanding Jewish High School Athlete from the South Shore at the Jewish Sports Heritage Association’s 8th Annual Induction and Awards Ceremony.
The Jewish Sports Heritage Association was founded in 2015 by Alan Freedman, with a mission to highlight Jewish athletes across the sports world — challenging the long-held notion that “Jews in sports” is an oxymoron.
“By highlighting Jewish athletes from across the sports world, it hopefully offers a starting point for discussions of stereotypes and prejudice,” Freedman said.
The program has become the centerpiece of that mission on the South Shore, honoring both national inductees and standout local student-athletes each year.
The ceremony is on April 12, at Temple Israel of Lawrence. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. and is free and open to the community.
“Our goal is to educate the public about the role that Jewish men and women have played and continue to play in the world of sports,” he said.
For the high school awards, the association is sent names of perspective Jewish student athletes from schools, and they search local newspapers as well.
According to Freedman, Rabbi Galina Makaveyev of Temple Israel of Lawrence told him to keep his eyes on Chase, a few years ago.
“We’re looking for not only a very good athlete but somebody who is academically up there and involved in the community,” Freedman added. “Knowing Chase through the temple, it was an easy pick for the male athlete.”
Rivas has been playing lacrosse since second grade when his dad was offered the position to coach the youth team.
“He wanted me to play on his team, obviously,” Rivas said. “He put the lacrosse stick in my hand, and I just picked it up quick. It was easy and it was really fun to me. I’ve been playing lacrosse my whole life, it just feels so natural to be on the field.”
Rivas has also been playing for Team Israel at the World Series of Youth Lacrosse during Memorial Day weekend, since he was 12-years old.
“I feel like it’s like a big part of my identity,” Rivas said. “I love supporting team Israel, my teammates and the people who run it. It’s fun representing my Judaism.”
He said that when he was notified of his honor for the Jewish Sports Heritage Association, he was shocked and embarrassed but still felt his hard work had paid off.
“I feel very proud,” he said. “I just want to continue playing lacrosse because I’ve always played and it’s really fun for me.”
Rivas’ mother, Blake Rivas, said that she is extremely proud of him and that he’s deserving of this honor.
“It’s really his life, he lives and breathes it,” Blake said. “When we found out he got this it was so exciting because he deserves it. He puts a lot into it and teaches little kids how to play.”
She said that Rivas does a lot to support Judaism by volunteering at Temple Israel and with local food pantries.
“He does a lot with that and I’m so proud of him,” she said. “He worked hard this year.”
