By Stephen Silver
The word “mensch” got thrown around a lot on July 17, when the 10th Annual Jackie & Hank Herskowitz Sports Night was held at the Marjorie & Lewis Katz JCC in Margate. The event was sold out, with a crowd clad in everything from sharp suits to Eagles jerseys sporting the name Graham and the number 55.
The word was applied to the guest of honor for the evening, the recently retired Eagles legend Brandon Graham, by Michael Barkann, the veteran sports broadcaster who interviewed Graham on stage, following 15 seasons of hosting the pre- and postgame shows for his games. Shortly after fighting back from an injury, ahead of schedule, to play in Super Bowl LIX and win his second Lombardi Trophy, Graham announced his retirement from the NFL on March 18. He was one of just four players who played on both Eagles championship teams in the Super Bowl era.
“You’d feel like everybody was his personal friend who he had known for 20 years,” Barkann said from the stage of Graham, about when he had been greeting attendees earlier. “He’s a hugger, and … I can’t believe you ripped people’s heads off for a living.”
Also called a mensch from the stage was Dave Goldstein, who was honored with the Broken Glass Award for his work with Ainsley’s Angels of America. And while Barkann is a member of the Jewish community, Goldstein’s appellation was granted by Linda Novelli of the Novelli Team real estate agency in Margate: “He represents a mensch in everything he does — and that’s an Italian talking,” she said.
The Sports Night began in 2011, but this year’s was called the “10th annual” because it missed some years during the pandemic.
The event’s committee chair was Jeffrey Herskowitz, whose late parents founded the event that now bears their name.
The Sports Night began with a cocktail hour, while some guests enjoyed a VIP reception with Graham.
Graham’s former teammate, longtime Eagles long snapper Jon Dorenbos, began the event. A noted magician who competed on “America’s Got Talent,” Dorenbos’ act combined card tricks, humorous tales from his playing career, gut-wrenching stories of growing up without parents and undergoing a heart transplant and a hopeful and inspiring motivational message.
Dave Goldstein is the South Jersey ambassador for Ainsley’s Angels of America, and he completed several Atlantic City Marathon Race Series events with his late son Josh. Goldstein is also known to fans of WIP’s Wing Bowl eating competition for having competed several times under the name U.S. Male.
Honored with the Broken Glass Award, Goldstein paid tribute to his son, who passed away last year.
Goldstein’s “outstanding commitment to inclusion and service is an inspiration to us all,” Jeffrey Herskowitz wrote in the event’s program. “Dave embodies the very spirit of perseverance and compassion that this evening represents.”
The event also included an auction, emceed by Barkann, in which attendees bid on everything from Eagles-inspired artwork to opportunities to attend Eagles preseason games.
Finally, it was time for the main event, as the Eagles’ Graham was interviewed on stage by Barkann. The conversation covered everything from how Graham feels about training camp rolling around without his being a part of it to his excitement about the team receiving their championship rings.
Barkann read aloud a text from Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, who headlined the Katz JCC Sports Night in 2023. Roseman shared that he and Graham had a deep connection in part because, in 2010, Graham had been the first draft pick that Roseman made after becoming the team’s top personnel executive. Graham shared that he and Roseman had a “tough conversation” about his retirement after the season.
Graham got off to something of a slow start in his career, but he soon emerged as an all-time great Eagle, especially famed for his strip sack of Tom Brady near the end of Super Bowl LII. He’s also been a ubiquitous media figure, hosting a weekly radio show on 94 WIP while still an active player.
The newly retired Eagle hasn’t decided yet what his post-playing-career looks like.
“I know media is something that’s been calling me too,” he said. He also expressed optimism of the strength of the Eagles’ defense, specifically at his old defensive end/edge rusher position.
“That’s what I’m going to miss most, that competition, the brotherhood of the guys and the struggle before you get to the nice stuff and the shiny things and the trophies,” said Graham, who famously spoke at the Eagles’ championship rally while flanked by both Lombardi trophies that he won while on the team.
Stephen Silver is a Broomall-based freelance writer.
