HR1676: HR1676 Yeshiva University Maccabees; commend

26 LC 129 1378 House Resolution 1676 By: Representatives Panitch of the 51st, Cox of the 28th, and Silcox of the 53rd A RESOLUTION Commending the Yeshiva University Maccabees; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the Yeshiva University Maccabees Men's Basketball Program has been playing2 competitive basketball for almost a century, beginning in the 1930-31 season; and3 WHEREAS, the Maccabees have demonstrated extraordinary athletic excellence, discipline,4 and sportsmanship throughout the 2025-2026 NCAA Division III season, and captured their5 second consecutive Skyline Conference Championship, finishing a remarkable 16-0 in6 conference play, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament and7 demonstrating unmatched dominance within their conference; and8 WHEREAS, Skyline Conference Player of the Year and senior guard Zevi Samet, a proud9 Jewish student-athlete who wears a kippah on the court, surpassed 2,500 career points during10 this tournament run, setting a new Yeshiva University single-ga me scoring record of 5211 points earlier this season, and exemplifying the sustained indi vidual excellence of this12 program; and13 WHEREAS, the Maccabees defeated Bates College in a heart-stopping NCAA Tournament14 first-round contest by a score of 71-69, winning on a clutch last-second free throw by senior15 H. R. 1676 - 1 - 26 LC 129 1378 guard Max Zakheim with just 0.2 seconds remaining on the clock, a v i c t o r y t h a t16 demonstrated the team's composure, resilience, and will to win under the most intense17 pressure; and18 WHEREAS, the Maccabees then advanced past the University of Maine Farmington in the19 second round, with junior forward Yoav Oselka, a native of Givatayim, Israel, delivering 2420 points and 11 rebounds in a dominant team performance, sending Yeshiva to the Sweet21 Sixteen; and22 WHEREAS, this Sweet Sixteen appearance marks only the second time in program history23 and the first since 2020, a testament to the sustained program-building work of Head Coach24 Elliot Steinmetz and the dedication of the entire athletic staff; and25 WHEREAS, Yeshiva University is a proud institution of Jewish higher learning, founded in26 1886, whose student-athletes compete with faith, integrity, and purpose, embodying the27 university's guiding philosophy of Torah U'Madda– the integration of religious devotion and28 secular excellence– demonstrating to the world that identity, faith, and athletic achievement29 are not in conflict but deeply and beautifully complementary; and30 WHEREAS, Yeshiva University counts among its proud alumni a significant and growing31 community of graduates who call Georgia home, making the Maccabees' success a source32 of particular pride and celebration throughout the state; and33 WHEREAS, the Maccabees serve as an inspiration to Jewish communities across Georgia,34 across the nation, and throughout the world, demonstrating the power of pride, purpose, and35 perseverance at a time when such symbols of Jewish strength and joy carry special and36 profound meaning.37 H. R. 1676 - 2 - 26 LC 129 1378 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that38 the members of this body commend the Yeshiva University Maccabe es Men's Basketball39 Team, Head Coach Elliot Steinmetz, and the entire athletic depa rtment on this historic40 achievement, and extend its warmest congratulations and best wi shes as the Maccabees41 continue their pursuit of an NCAA Division III national championship.42 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized43 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to44 Yeshiva University President Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, Head Coach E lliot Steinmetz, team45 captains Zevi Samet and Max Zakheim, and the members of the Maccabees Men's Basketball46 Team.47 H. R. 1676 - 3 -