Basketball Game Nets $100,000

Beverly Hills Courier

The JEM (Jewish Educational Movement) charity basketball league’s third season came to a close at The JEM Community Center (former Beverly Hills YMCA) Thursday night, where the crown was taken from the two-time reigning champion “White” team by the “Purple” team in front of more than 300 fans.

JEM Basketball charity league, comprised of young Los Angeles-area Jewish professionals, together with the youngest rabbi of Beverly Hills, Yossi Illulian, once again put together an exciting season closer, complete with a professional photographer and live DJ who kept the mostly young crowd mingling throughout the night.

The live action kicked off with the third-place game, followed by a three-point contest. Wrapping up the night was the highly anticipated championship game, as team White fought to hang on to its back-to-back winning streak. The action-filled game saw aggressive defense from both sides, however team Purple ultimately stole the crown from White in the last seconds of the game, ending in a final score of 35-33.

JEM Basketball also took advantage of the filled house Thursday night at half-time to introduce its newest addition to the JEM family, JUMP (Jewish Unity Mentorship Program, www.jumpla.org). Developed by JEM Basketball league co-founders Robert Cohan and Sam Mostadim, JUMP uses basketball and mentorship as mediums to enrich the lives of Jewish children throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

JUMP’s short-term children’s program is designed to build lasting mentoring relationships with young Jewish professionals in the area who are passionate about providing a positive impact on these children’s lives. JUMP was officially recognized in advance of its launch by the Jewish Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Los Angeles.

Since its inception in 2001, the JEM Center has become recognized as a spiritual, educational and recreational venue that unites members of the Jewish community. The center specializes bringing together youth of all ages and ethnic backgrounds from preschool children up through teens, college students and young professionals. Its mission is to build an inclusive Jewish community that celebrates teamwork and the strength of its youth, epitomized through JEM Basketball League. In just three short seasons, the league has raised more than $100,000 to benefit JEM Community Center.