Welcome to the 2026 Maimonides School Invitational Basketball Tournament
About the Tournament in Memory of Gary Singer
The Maimonides School Invitational Basketball Tournament is about much more than basketball. It is an opportunity for students, teachers, families and alumni to coalesce in spirit behind our students. Participants experience a warm, memorable and educational Shabbat with the school community, and it is a model for all on blending intense play on the court with examples of middot including sportsmanship, humility and respect.
With this in mind It is a fitting tribute to have the tournament named after Gary. We are very appreciative of Rebecca and Jeffrey Singer’s sponsorship in honoring Gary’s memory this way.
DISTINGUISHED GUEST SPEAKER
While Bruce Pearl’s on-court success has been well-documented, where he has made the most impact has been in the communities that he has lived in and visited. Coming from a humble Jewish background in Boston, Pearl has made it his mission to spread the good word and love for the Holy Land.
Pearl has made high-profile speaking engagements with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Maccabi USA, Republican Jewish Alliance, Christian Coalition and the United States Israel Education Association. He has also spoken at the National Holocaust Day in Montgomery, Alabama the past two years.
Pearl has also taken ownership in welcoming the Student Jewish Group at Auburn by hosting the Hillel for the annual Hanukkah party, beginning in 2015, as well as hosting the Hillel group for regular breakfasts to keep the faith. He is also an active member of the Temple Beth Shalom in Auburn.
If there is a prayer breakfast in the area, chances are that Pearl is there speaking as he has done so in Knoxville, Atlanta, Auburn and Montgomery. He has also spoken at the First Baptist Church of Dadeville, Alabama.
Pearl is also a board member of the U.S. Israel Education Association whose role is “To fill the existing information vacuum by educating and serving Members of Congress. We foster communication between American and Israeli leaders and experts to enhance understanding of issues critical to a mutually beneficial relationship”
Pearl realized a lifelong dream in the summer of 2008 when his country called upon him to serve as head coach of Maccabi USA’s open men’s basketball team at the 18th World Maccabiah Games in Israel. He led the American squad to the gold medal for just the third time in 24 years, toppling favored Israel in the title game. Coach Pearl is a 2026 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame nominee.
Welcome
At the entrance to the Fox Gymnasium here at Maimonides School stands a heavy bronze plaque. On this time-worn rectangle is a quote from the namesake of our school: “Man should aim to maintain physical health and vigor, in order that his soul may be upright, in a condition to know G-d (De’ot 3:3).”
As every student passes into this gym, whether for recess or for athletic competition, the words of Rambam the physician and Torah giant echo in our minds. In order to be ready to know G-d, we must take care to be physically fit and ready for that experience. Put another way, when we enter the gym we are serving our creator in order to know G-d, because in the words of the Talmud, “This too is Torah, and I need to learn it!’
We are thrilled to once again host our annual men’s and women’s basketball tournament, this year in memory of Gary Singer of blessed memory. Gary loved athletics, both as a player and as a spectator. And Gary also loved family, community, and Jewish ritual practice and tradition. As we come together to play and to compete, to eat and to sleep, to learn and to pray, we come together as a larger community that grows stronger together. That is a true and meaningful testament to Gary’s life, and the true raison d'etre of our tournament here at Maimonides School.
Thank you for joining us in living the words of the Rambam and watching our values as a Jewish community express themselves so profoundly. Thank you for joining our community, and for being a part of something wonderful which is made larger and stronger by your presence.
Rabbi Yaakov Green,
Head of School
“Success is not an accident. It’s hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing.” – Chris Paul
Catch the Action Online
Videos of all of this year's games can be found online. Check out tournament photos on our Facebook site and Instagram.
