Evesham Township Council recognized the Cherokee High girls soccer team for its championship season and Congregation Beth Tikvah’s 50th anniversary at a May 6 meeting.
The soccer team finished the season in November by qualifying as NJSIAA Group 4 champions. Led by coach Megan Boland – along with assistant coaches Devon Smojver and Steve Fortino – it reached the NJSIAA Group State final by defeating Kingsway High School in the quarterfinals and Washington Township High in the semifinals, ultimately closing out the year with a record of 17-6-1.
The win marks the first in Cherokee High history that the girls soccer team has advanced in state finals and won a sectional title.
Mayor Jackie Veasy read a proclamation at the meeting that cited the team’s accomplishments.
“Each team member, whether through leadership or personal best, demonstrated dedication, hard work and teamwork to ultimately win the NJSIAA Group 4 sectional title,” she read.
“(Our successful season) was a total team effort,” Boland noted at the meeting. “I couldn’t be more proud of all of you, but to our seniors … we’re going to miss you a lot. You’ve been great role models for all the girls.”
Council then recognized Congregation Beth Tikvah, a volunteer-led synagogue based in Marlton that began as a group of families who bonded over educating their children about the Jewish faith, then enthusiastically agreed to start a congregation.
As a Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) synagogue, Beth Tikvah’s Refugee Action Committee advocates for immigrants and refugees on the local and national level. The congregation also has youth groups and supports local community mitzvah projects, including volunteer efforts on Martin Luther King Day.
Beth Tikvah held a celebration on April 19 to mark its anniversary and honor longtime clergy and members. A proclamation from council cited the congregation’s founding and decades of community involvement. Nancy Horowitz, chair of the synagogue’s committee, spoke about Beth Tikva’s historic location in Marlton at the council meeting.
“Congregation Beth Tikvah is on Evesboro-Medford Road, and 50 years ago, sitting on that site where the synagogue is today, was just a small ranch house,” she explained. “That house became what we call our House of Hope, which is what Congregation Beth Tikvah means.
“We are delighted to be a part of the Marlton community that has recognized (the synagogue) many times and provided security, which is so important” Horowitz added. “Thank you so much for recognizing our accomplishment.”
Learn more about Congregation Beth Tikvah at www.btikvah.org.
