Cleaning up on the court: Fixture in Jewish Community Center celebrates birthday with basketball scrimmage

On a typical day, Ezra Shelhav is up early putting up shots in the gym at the Ronald Gardenswartz Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque, where he works as a custodian.

But the young man with cerebral palsy, a disability affecting body movement and muscle coordination, had no idea what was in store for him on Friday for his 23rd birthday.

A group of friends, family and members of the JCC entered the gym that morning singing “Happy Birthday” while holding a colorful banner that read, “Happy Birthday Ezra!” before they played a basketball scrimmage.

The smile on Shelhav’s face couldn’t have been bigger when he learned of the surprise.

“A lot of people love me, and I really appreciate it,” Shelhav said.

On Friday morning, he was energetic on the basketball court with “Team Ezra,” who all wore T-shirts bearing the team’s name. Shelhav, who donned the No. 33 on his shirt, displayed eyes of intense athletic competition.

Shelhav has worked for three years as a staff member responsible for cleaning the gym and fitness equipment upstairs, according to Susanna Pier, fitness and wellness director for the JCC.

Pier described Shelhav as a special member of the JCC who is loved by everyone, and his cleaning abilities are top-notch.

“(He’s) the hardest worker ever; he’s very meticulous,” Pier said while cheering members of “Team Ezra” during the scrimmage.

Shelhav’s parents, Shai and Laura Shelhav, attended the event wearing “Team Ezra” T-shirts and cheering on the team with pompoms in between bites of chocolate cake.

Laura Shelhav said the JCC’s surprise speaks to the generosity and support its employees show him.

She described her son as a “remarkable” and “determined” man for his daily workout routine and his love of the game of basketball.

Chris Blackwell, a personal trainer who attended the scrimmage, is close to Shelhav, working out with him and debating over who in professional sports is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).

“He’s my boy; he’s my guy,” Blackwell said. “He has dreams of being the best basketball player he can be.”

Shelhav, who has played for the Special Olympics team, said he wants to join The NBA G League. He added that he is trying to find a team to play for, but it is difficult to do.

“Playing with a disability, I don’t see it as a disability; it’s just a different ability,” Shelhav said.

Others, including former University of New Mexico head women’s basketball coach Don Flanagan, are impressed with Ezra Shelhav’s athletic abilities. Flanagan, who coached the Lobos from 1995 to 2011, said what stands out to him the most is the young man’s desire to play basketball every day.

“He’s a great model for effort,” Flanagan said. “I’ve seen a lot of players that play at a very high level that don’t love it as much as he does.”