The NCJSHOF was proud to include this remarkable family as part of the October 22nd dinner.

Grandson Dan Grunfeld played basketball at Stanford as well as internationally. He is the author of By the Grace of the Game, the story of his his grandmother’s journey through the holocaust and his family’s ascension to the highest levels of the sport of basketball.

Lily Grunfeld was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award, having survived the Holocaust and emigrated to America to raise this beautiful family.

As an 18 year old, Ernie Grunfeld led the USA Team to a Silver Medal in the 1974 Maccabiah Games in Israel. In 1976, he won a Gold Medal at the 1976 Olympics. He followed his playing days in the NBA with a longtime career as an NBA Executive.

Congratulations to Tara VanDerveer

The Northern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame offers our most sincere congratulations to Stanford’s iconic Tara VanDerveer. On Sunday January 21, 2024, Tara eclipsed the legendary Mike Krzyzewski from Duke University, as the winningest college coach of all time with win # 1,203.

Tara has been a shining light in women’s sports for decades and is one of the reasons that women’s basketball has become mainstream in collegiate and professional arenas everywhere. She has been an inspiration to students and athletes world-wide as a coach, mentor, and leader. In 2016, the NCJSHOF proudly honored Tara with our Mensch Award winner.

Each year, the NCJSHOF Board awards a member of the sporting community a Mensch Award. The Mensch Award is given to an individual who embodies the word – a truly good person! And now, we can add G.O.A.T. to Tara’s award!

From Left to Right: Front Row Kaia Place, Joseph Charlesworth, Joriana Gibbens-Egoff, Joshua Marx; Standing: Andromeda Kelly, Audrey Poster, Lucas Cohen, Jeremy Coe, Mia Firestone, Emilee Rosenstein