The Falcons are ready to fly

May 22, 2023 Andy Furman

Boys Tennis: Left-to-right: Salomon Kamagi, Julian Horvits, Norman Saada, Sonny Cohen, Eric Azrak, Bobby Falack, Morris Shamah, Sam Sutton, Eitan Yehoshua. Photo courtesy Yeshiva of Flatbush

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FLATBUSH — There’s a winning buzz on Avenue J, and it’s coming from the Yeshiva of Flatbush — thanks to their two first-year tennis coaches.

Danielle Tawil coaches the girls – Dave Suskin, the boys.

“Both coaches have done exceptional jobs,” Barry Neuberger, Director of Athletics, told the Eagle. “It’s not easy understanding the talent you have and still help them improve – but both coaches have done just that.”

The girls’ have won all six of their league matches – convincingly — and set themselves up as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern half of their league.

Yeshiva of Flatbush teams are members of the Metropolitan Yeshiva High School Athletic League, which represents many of the Jewish day schools in the New York area.

“The girls have been just terrific,” said Tawil, who also teaches at Flatbush. “I’d like to think that we’ve helped them get better, even by a little bit – but Arielle (Kamin, assistant coach) – and I understand we started with a good bunch. The energy and excitement they bring to the court match-after-match is unparalleled.”

Not to be outdone — Suskin’s young men are 6-0 as well.

As for the boys – Suskin echoes Tawil’s praise.

“I’ve been really impressed with the way the team has competed so far,” Suskin said. “The performances from our returning players and energy from the younger ones has been excellent with the full-depth of the team on display.”

And not even a major set-back could stop the energy of yet another Flatbush varsity sport – volleyball.

“Our boys’ volleyball team has been on a three-month road trip, but soon will finally get to play at home,” Neuberger said. “When a flood destroyed the Laniado Gym floor in December, it wiped out any opportunity for tryouts, practices and home matches.”

An arrangement with Kingsborough Community College gave the Falcons a home nest – temporarily – but now the team is coming home.

“We are grateful for our friends at Kingsborough who’ve helped us when we faced a dire situation,” Neuberger said. “The team has not used that as a distraction and now we get to support them at home.”

The young men are 6-1 and will host a first-round playoff match later this month.

“Although not having a home gym was a disadvantage,” said senior Ezra Kababieh, “It actually helped us succeed in a different way. The brotherhood we formed with one another through all we’ve experienced made us stronger.”

The Yeshiva of Flatbush was founded in 1927 by Joel Braverman, among others. The institution, located on East 10th Street in Midwood – nearby Flatbush — at first consisted of an early childhood program, an elementary school and a middle school.

Girls Tennis: Left-right: Danielle Tawil, Coach; Jaclyn Tobias, Yvette Dweck, Emily Tarrab, Jen Oved, Emma Kamagi, Lynn Dweck, Arielle Labaton, Coach, seated Marsha Gindi. Photos Courtesy Yeshiva of Flatbush

The high school, founded in 1950 to complement the elementary school, was originally housed in an adjoining building.

In 1962, the high school moved into a new building on nearby Avenue J, and the elementary school expanded into what was formerly the high school building. The school educates students from age two to 18 and includes an early childhood center, an elementary school and a secondary school.

The Flatbush Varsity Tennis Team won their first championship – ever – in June, 2017 beating Heschel 3-2. Players like Meyer Tawil, Joe Benaim and Meyer Kassin led the team to victory.

The Falcons – boys and girls – are looking for a second title this year.

Andy Furman is a Fox Sports Radio national talk show host. Previously, he was a scholastic sports columnist for the Brooklyn Eagle. He may be reached at: [email protected] Twitter: @AndyFurmanFSR