It is no secret that I am a big sports fan. This is clear from topics on which I choose to write or speak. Generally I tell a sports story for its metaphoric message — like teamwork, good planning or bouncing back from loss and disappointment.

However, the literal lessons of athletics are just as important as the metaphor. Each morning in our siddur, we express gratitude not only for our spiritual gifts, but for our physical bodies — for example, the ability to get out of bed and walk.

Striving for good health and physical fitness is a vital lesson of Judaism. In the Talmud Shabbat 82a, Rav Hisda is praised by his colleague Rav Huna for teaching his students not about the rituals of Judaism, but rather about the need for good hygiene.

I would therefore like to use this column and some future Bulletins to recognize the "Jewish stars" from our congregation who excel in health of the body as well as the soul. I invite you to send me great sports stories from your household.

This month I salute four young members of the B’nai Moshe family:

Sam Yashinsky, son of Debra and Gary, attended the Frankel Jewish Academy, where he was named the Male Athlete of the Year a record four straight times. Sam ironically was named to All Catholic teams in both basketball and baseball (Frankel plays in the Detroit Catholic League). Even more exciting, Sam was a pitcher on the University of Michigan baseball team.

Zack Ehrmann, like Sam Yashinsky, is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan. Zack, a former baseball player at West Bloomfield High School, was written up in the Jewish News for his active participation in the Club Baseball Team at U of M. As a senior, Zack was both president and coach of the team, leading his teammates to a best ever 15-10 record while batting an impressive .375. Zack is the son of Robin and Paul Ehrmann,

Two B’nai Moshe members have been named Jewish News Athletes of the Year — Danielle Dulberg in 2008 and Eric Glanz in 2009.

Danielle, a graduate of Seaholm High School, where she also competed in tennis and volleyball, just completed her junior year at Oakland University, where she is a member of the Softball team. In 2010 Danielle tied the school record by driving in six runs in a game, and in a different game she hit her first collegiate home run. Danielle is the daughter of Tracey Stulberg and David Dulberg.

Eric Glanz is a two year starter on the baseball team of Kalamazoo College, following a stellar career at Walled Lake Central High School. This past year Eric helped pace Kalamazoo to 17 victories, the second most in the school’s history. Eric led the team in doubles, batting average, slugging percentage and on base percentage, and has been named Co-Captain for the 2012 season. Eric is the son of Randi and Harry Glanz.

(I was aided in writing this column by the article, A Jewish Approach to Wellness, by Abbie Greenberg, on the website, myjewishlearning.com.)