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Message: [QUOTE="Scott11, post: 4598832, member: 6797"] sent to me by a friend: I arrived in Syracuse, 1976, Rabbi Temple Adath, then the largest synagogue in Central New York. It so happened to be the same year Coach Boeheim, became Head Coach Syracuse Men’s Basketball program. Under Coach Boeheim’s leadership and mentorship, the basketball program quickly became for decades a “national power”. And I soon realized, not to “compete” with the basketball program; when they played, home or away, all synagogue programs were put on “the back burner”. Truth be told, being myself a passionate fan, it took little or no encouragement for me to be “part of the fan base”! Way back then, as much as I enjoyed SU basketball, I thought it was only about basketball; a distraction, a fun night/afternoon out at Manley or The Dome. But then, our oldest son Eyal, at 4 years old, was diagnosed with a brain stem lesion. He subsequently suffered a brain stem stroke and for the next 32 years of his life was a quadrapalegic, unable to breathe on his own, could not speak or eat, totally dependent on others. Back then, kids like Eyal were ostracized and excluded. And it was then, I learned alot about life, inclusion, unconditional love and friendship from Coach Boeheim. He had heard about Eyal and made him part of the SU basketball family. He made sure Eyal had seats, not any seats, but on the floor almost at half-court. Eyal had an open-invitation to team practices and whenever Coach saw Eyal, he made sure to acknowledge him with a smile, a word of encouragement,always looking him in the eye, validating Eyal’s humanity with “Hi, Eyal”!!! I can say now unequivocally, those simple gestures of inclusion allowing Eyal be “part of the team”,provided Eyal with enormous comfort and motivation to welcome another day!!! Coach, during the coming days, weeks, months, years you will be celebrated for your well-deserved basketball successes; but we will always recall and celebrate your goodness, kindness, wisdom,selflessness and friendship!!Much, Much Thanks!!! [/QUOTE]

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