by Cynthia Thuma SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT , Sun-Sentinel

The camp failed to register enough young soccer players to justify its existence, but Smith, a sports psychologist at Florida Atlantic University, said he considers the experience a steppingstone, not a stumbling block.

"We'll keep trying," he said. "Maybe it'll be a different sport next time; we hope to try this again. This was our first try; no one else is really doing this. They don't really teach Judaism through sports."

Smith started the Center for Sport & Jewish Life in 2002 on Florida's west coast, then moved to the southeastern side of the peninsula two years ago. The center's mission mirrors Smith's background as a rabbi and sports psychologist. Through him and a board of directors drawn from all levels of sport, academia, psychology and Judaism, the organization supports several initiatives that promote character development, values and the development of life skills.

"Who'd have thought it?" he said. "The idea is to present Judaism through a vehicle many people would not think of it in. Judaism is a 24/ 7 experience, not a series of things fragmented throughout the week."

Among his board of directors are a few names even non-Jewish sports fans would recognize, including Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, who serves as one of its honorary presidents; Lenny Krayzelburg, the Ukrainian-born world record-holder in the backstroke and four-time Olympic gold medalist; and Brent Novoselsky, who played tight end in the National Football League from 1988 to 1994 for the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. Florida Atlantic University track and cross-country coach Alex Smolka also is a board member.

Smith said he wants to make Jews' participation in sports relevant to their religious experience, to strengthen Jewish identity and sense of community through sports.

In about a month, Smith looks forward to the release of his first book - Baseballs, Basketballs and Matzah Balls: What Sports Can Teach Us about the Jewish Holidays ... and Vice Versa.

To learn more about the Center for Sport and Jewish Life, visit www.jewishsport.org.

Panthers strive to score big with fun day for kids

The Florida Panthers aren't focused solely on the action on the ice at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise. They also want to make an impact on youths in South Florida.

Prior to its Southeast Division game against the Atlanta Thrashers at 1 p.m. Saturday, the National Hockey League organization will turn its attention to children with all sorts of games and attractions.

"Some of our biggest and most passionate fans are children, and this is a great opportunity to let them know how much we appreciate their support," said Michael Yormack, president and chief operating officer at BankAtlantic Center.

Youngsters will be featured before and during the game as the national anthem will be sung by a child and young skaters will accompany each Panthers player on to the ice during the opening introductions.

There will also be an honorary youth captain who will be involved in the ceremonial puck drop, a kid in the public announcer's booth with Bill Murphy and a youngster in the broadcast booth with Steve Goldstein, Denis Potvin, Randy Moller and Billy Lindsay. There will also be kids' ice dancers and guest sports reporters who will sit in the press box and write articles for FloridaPanthers.com.

There will also be a number of kid-friendly events, including an autograph signing with Stanley C. Panther and Mini Stanley, giveaways (Muvico movie passes, BankAtlantic piggy banks and Nintendo Wii video games), concession discounts and a special kids buffet at the Chairman's Club.

The game presentation will also carry the theme with youngsters interviewing players on the jumbo scoreboard and taking part in a skills challenge during an intermission. Radio Disney will be on hand with a number of kid-friendly promotions and the selection of the next ESPN Kids Broadcaster.

For more information about Kids Day, visit FloridaPanthers.com or call 954-835-PUCK.

- Rick Menning

Panthers also glide ahead with street Hockey tourney

Kids Day isn't the only attraction in the spotlight at BankAtlantic Center on Saturday.

A street Hockey tournament on the grounds outside the arena will take place prior to the Panthers' divisional showdown against Atlanta. This non-skating event is open to boys and girls ages 6-12.

Registration begins at 7:45 a.m., with games slated to begin at 8:30. Competition will finish in time for participants and fans to go inside for the 1 p.m. Panthers-Thrashers game.

Teams will consist of up to six players and a goalie. The entry fee ($140 per seven-member team, or $20 per player) includes a T-shirt and gift bag, a ticket to the National Hockey League game and discounted game tickets for friends and family members.

All participants must wear proper athletic shoes or sneakers. No sandals, flip-flops or other open-toed footwear will be permitted. Helmets, knee pads, gloves, mouth guard and protective eyewear are recommended.

There will be two 10-minute halves, with no timeouts, no icing and no offside rules.

Winning teams in each division will be presented with awards at center ice during the first intermission of the game.

To register, call 954-835-7728 or e-mail barrattc@sselive.com

Florida Tennis Cup action returns to Boca Raton courts

The Boca Raton-based Florida Tennis Cup returns home for its first event of the year, offering doubles and mixed doubles for all ages and levels of play on the clay courts Jan. 10 and 11 at Boca Lago Country Club, 8665 Juego Way.

Registration must be received by Tuesday. Cost is $15 per player per event.

Registration may be completed at www.floridatenniscup.com or at 561-807-6348.

The Florida Tennis Cup is a 22-tournament series played at locations throughout the state. The tournament began in Boca Raton in September and ends there with the championship finals at Woodfield Country Club in mid-April.

Jewish teen athletes sought for summer Maccabi Games

Teenage Jewish athletes are being sought by the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center for slots on the Mitchell Dobbin Maccabi Team, which will compete in the 2009 JCC Maccabi Games in August. Events will be in San Francisco and San Antonio.

The Mitchell Dobbin team from Boca Raton will compete in the following events in the 14-under and 16-under age groups: boys' basketball, girls' basketball, boys' baseball, boys' tennis, girls' tennis and swimming. A girls' volleyball team for age 16 and younger also will be part of the Mitchell Dobbin team.

Tryouts for the team will take place Feb. 22 and March 1 and a general informational meeting will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 11 at the Levis JCC.

For more information, call Randy Colman at 561-852-3205 or e-mail randyc@levisjcc.org; or Lesley Surfer at 561-852- 3212 or lesleys@levisjcc.org

Cynthia Thuma can be reached at cindythuma@yahoo.com

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