A new school year means new classes, new teachers and, for Ramaz athletes, another chance to bring championships back to the Upper School.

Athletic Director Ari Witkes enters the year optimistic about Ramaz’s teams, with veteran varsity squads, up-and-coming teams, and several new coaches giving fans plenty to watch for this season. “I’m very excited for the fall sports season,” Witkes said. “A lot of great teams and a lot of great players. I’m looking forward to seeing how kids progress, the new kids, the returning kids, and seeing who put in the work in the offseason.”

Basketball

Few Ramaz teams enter this season with higher expectations than Boys Varsity Basketball.

At its center is a senior trio that Witkes calls the “Big Three”: Noah Hiltzik ’27, Edward Ash ’27 and Emanuel Kushner ’27. He has watched the three develop together for years..

Their history together dates back to middle school. Although they did not win a title in eighth grade and later fell short at the JV level, they played a critical role in helping Ramaz claim the title at the Sam Gyenes z”l Memorial Tournament last year. This year is their last one playing together, and Witkes believes the group is “thirsty and hungry” to win the championship.

The Big Three will have plenty of help this year. Moses Nakash ’27, Hank Dweck ’27, Ralph Sigoura ’27 and Jared Miller ’27 are among the returning seniors, with Charlie Kaplan ’27 potentially returning as well. The junior class should add another layer of talent.

Head Coach Scott Ferguson returns and will be joined by new assistant coach Spencer Rubinstein, a former Ramaz basketball standout who replaces Max Zakheim after Zakheim moved on to college-level coaching at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Early tests at the Brooklyn-based Magen David Yeshivah preseason tournament and the 12th annual Steve Glouberman z”l Tournament should offer a glimpse of whether this group can turn years of anticipation into a championship run.

The Girls Varsity team has reasons for similar optimism. Last year’s roster relied heavily on underclassmen, including leading scorers Mia Form ’28, Natalie Safdieh ’28, and Rae Meyer ’28. Those players now enter their junior seasons alongside an experienced senior group.

After a first-round playoff exit last year, Witkes sees Ferguson’s girls team as one capable of going significantly further this time around.

The JV programs are looking for jumps of their own. Girls JV Head Coach Abby Tepper returns after a difficult season in which Witkes nevertheless saw steady improvement. Maya Yashar ’29 headlines the returning players, while a talented freshman class should provide reinforcements.

On the boys side, Head Coach Akiva Poppers returns alongside new assistant Ari Shklyar, who previously coached many of the incoming players in eighth grade. Jonas Eliasson ’29, Leo Kasell ’29, Oliver Friedman ’29, Isaac Spodek ’29, Andrew Peldman ’29, and Steven Dweck ’29 are among the players Witkes is eager to see develop.

“The coaches have been working nonstop since the season ended,” Witkes said. “They are really motivated to get us back to the playoffs, and I really think this team can do that.” 

After missing the playoffs last year, the goal is straightforward: get back.

Hockey

Boys Varsity Hockey has one big question to answer: Who will take over in net?

Last year’s senior class helped bring Ramaz back to the playoffs, but replacing that group will require new players to emerge. Caleb Doft ’27 and Leon Kremer ’27 headline the incoming senior class, while members of last season’s JV team, including Jack and Haim Dabah ’28, will have an opportunity to make their mark at the varsity level.

The biggest uncertainty, according to Witkes, is in the net. Ramaz needs to find its next starting goalie. If it does, Witkes believes the team has the talent to make a deep playoff run.

Head Coach Zach Levy will also lead a JV team with serious expectations of its own. After reaching the playoffs and falling in the first round last season, the Rams return Isaac Freilich ’29, Nate Ottensoser ’29, Raphael Bakhchi ‘29, Avi Englander ’29 and other key contributors. A promising incoming eighth-grade group could make the team even deeper.

Witkes pointed specifically to Ariel Tantleff ‘30, whom he has seen play, as a newcomer to watch.

Volleyball

The Girls Varsity Volleyball team is back after a playoff appearance in their last season and boasts an experienced senior class headed by Sonya Zinder ’27 and Caroline Kollander ’27. Despite losing several seniors during graduation, Witkes still sees promise in this year’s returning players.

One thing he certainly is not worried about is the person on the sideline.

“Rachel Kohn is the best coach in volleyball,” Witkes said. “There is no one better than her.”

The JV team, meanwhile, enters the season looking to make a leap. After taking on a particularly young roster and missing the playoffs last year, many of those players are now sophomores. They will also have new leadership in Head Coach Lynn Jacobowski, who spent more than a decade assisting Kohn, and Assistant Coach Ashley Botnick, a former Shalhevet and Maccabi volleyball player with coaching experience. Witkes sees the combination as enough to turn the Rams into playoff contenders.

Cross Country, Track, Wrestling, Swimming and Golf

Some of Ramaz’s most accomplished athletes will compete outside the Ramdome.

Cross Country and Track return captained by Elianna and Ezra Gonen ’27 along with Lyon Levin ’28, “one of the best all-around athletes in the school,” according to Witkes. Returning coach is Zoe Wolmark, with a team Witkes describes as “never knowing who is going to step up.”

Levin will be just as important to Ramaz Wrestling. After attending specialized wrestling camps during the offseason, he returns as one of the program’s leading wrestlers. Witkes also credited Coach Jake Stein with generating excitement around a program that continues to grow.

That growth will now extend below the Upper School. Ramaz is starting a middle school wrestling program, giving younger athletes a pathway into the sport and potentially strengthening the varsity program for years to come.

The Boys and Girls Swim teams also bring back a large group of experienced swimmers. Ramaz will have to replace graduated standout Truman Edell, but Witkes highlighted Manny Chelnitsky ‘28 as one of the program’s top swimmers and expects others to take another step forward.

Golf enters the year with perhaps the clearest accomplishment to build upon. After winning the Yeshiva League Open Invitational last season, Coach Judah Rolnick’s team returns Ben Rubinchik ’27, Mayer Silvera ’27, Max and Alex Majzner ’28, Gabriel Tambor ’27 and Elliot Libin ’27. With much of the championship group intact, the Rams will try to prove last season was only the beginning.

Bringing Back the Ramdome

For Witkes, though, the upcoming season is about more than wins and losses. He wants Ramaz students in the stands.

The athletics department is planning surprise giveaways, a bobblehead night and other special events designed to turn games into school-wide events. Witkes wants students to put down their books for a few hours, fill the Ramdome and give Ramaz teams a true home-court advantage.

“Take a break from all your academics,” Witkes said, “because there are no better fans than the Ramaz Rams.”