Public Speaking Contest of 2007

Why Sandy Koufax Is My Favorite Jewish Hero

By: Jonah Morris

It was the bottom of the 9^th. The Los Angeles Dodgers are leading by one run. They need one more out to win. Sandy Koufax is pitching. Strike one, strike 2 strike 3 and your out!

Good evening honorable judges and friends.

My name is Jonah Morris. I am in grade 5 at Vancouver Talmud Torah. My topic is why Sandy Koufax is my favorite Jewish hero.

The dictionary defines a hero as a person of distinguished courage, someone admired for his or her brave deeds and noble qualities, a person who performed a heroic act. There are a lot of people in the world who do great things; however, Sandy Koufax was a true hero.

He was an American left handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1955 until 1966. In 1963, he was named the most valuable player in the National League. He led both leagues in wins and strikeouts and was the first major league player to pitch more than 3 no hitters! Sandy Koufax was also the youngest player ever elected to the baseball hall of fame. While all this is very impressive, it is not the reason he is my favorite Jewish hero.

Picture this: It is game one of the 1965 World Series and all of Los Angeles, all of California and all of North America is looking forward to the game. The fans, the players, the coaches and the owners are all excited about the first game. But what happens? Something nobody expected--Sandy Koufax refused to pitch game one of the 1965 World Series because game day fell on Yom Kipper. This action had great meaning. He told all 47, 797 fans at the game and the whole world that he was a Jewish ball player and not a ball player who was Jewish.

Sandy Koufax is my favorite Jewish hero because he didn’t hide his Jewishness. He stood up for what was important. Every Jewish person in North America was proud of him.

Sandy Koufax was an example to us all. Our Judaism must come before work, sports or any other thing we do. How many of us would be willing to miss a championship game or something you’ve worked your whole life for?

Sandy Koufax is my Jewish hero because he sacrificed something important for his Jewishness. This act was heroic beyond words!

Thank you,

Jonah Morris